The Press., 1912-01-03

deck had been drinking, but were con sidered able to keep watch oyer the white members of the crew. But they were not sufficiently in control of their faculties to notice the line of smoke on the horizon or they would have called their captains attention to it. Meanwhile there appeared under the smoke certain black dots. They were nearly equidistant, and over each I could soon distinguish thin film lead ing to the cloud above. The dots grew larger, and it was evident that we and they were drawing nearer to- gether.
 Glancing aside, saw Coyne, who was busy over some cordage, standing looking at what had arrested my at tention. We dared not speak to each other, but he cast a meaning glance at me. Then I looked about at the Malays. One was sitting on the deck with his back against the gunwale. another was dozing in hammock, while a third was walking about un- steadily.
 I gave Coyne a meaning look, com bined first of glance at what was approaching, second of one at the Ma lays and third at a companionway. What all this was meant to convey was suggestion that steamers were approaching. that we might overpow- CT the three pirates, close the compan- ionway and signal for assistance. Coyne, who was desperate, understood and showed by looks and pantomime that he was eager for the attempt.
 Realizing that we would need Jacob son, went down into the engine room. where he was without guard, and told him of our plan. I also agreed with him that he should come up as near as possible to the deck without being seen and be ready to shut and bolt the companionway doors while Coyne and were overpowering two of the Malays. Just how we were to do this must depend upon circum- stances. Coyne was powerful fel- low, was reduced by illness, and Ja- cobson was small, but wiry.
 By this time the coming ships were to be made out as a fleet of war ves- 
 we would have recognized them as the fleet of Admiral Dewey. which had left Hongkong to attack Manila. They were still good distance from us; but, fearing some of the pirate crew would see them and steam out of their path, we dared not put off our attempt. Re stunning my place on deck, by signs, chiefly looks, I conveyed to Coyne that he was to tackle the man sitting on the deck and try to throw him over board, while folded the one asleep in his hammock till Coyne could come and dispose of him. Jacobson was to dash out of hiding and close the doors.
 Coyne and both walked toward the two pirates. He suddenly picked up his man and without much of a strug- gle got him over the gunwale. had barely bound my captive in his ham, mock when Coyne came, and, loosen ing the hammock at each end, we car ried the man in 1t to the side of the ship and dropped him over. While we were doing this Jacobson, who had been on the watch, made a dash at the companionway doors, closed and fas- tened them. This left the three of us on deck with one enemy. Seeing that he was too late he ran forward, chased by Coyne and Jacobson, who caught him and served him as his two com panions had been served
 Within a couple of minutes we had secured possession of the ship. Coyne was about to run for the signal flags when I stopped him.
 ''It has often occurred to me-" said, that if we were taken we three would be hanged for piracy with the others. We have the ship safe enough. Sup. pose we let these vessels pass. We may save our necks by doing so."
 Since I was the only skilled man of the three the others agreed to follow my suggestion. The pirates were con fined within the forward part of the ship, having no access to the other parts. while we had free descent tn thu engine room.
 I shrink from giving the last part of the story, which was inspired partly by vengeance and partly with the knowledge that dead men tell no tales. We let the fleet pass us without much interest in it, we being engrossed by our own affairs. Then we scraped to- gether all the cumbustibles we could find and made them ready to be fired. A boat was lowered, and, applying match to our kindling, we went down the side and into the boat. AS we pull ed for land we saw the flames shoot up from the Mary Blanc and heard the shrieks of the men who had forced our companions to walk the plank.
 Reaching the shore, we separated, each bound by an oath to say nothing about our experience.