Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-09-01
How MIR. Harding
Conducted the
Defense
By DWIGHT NORWOOD

Wright, udHuluS his glass u HIS urSt
mate, what do you think Of that
ching over there?"
II think" said Harding. that it is
one of those devilish Chinese pirates
that infest these waters"
This dialogue occurred on the Amer
lean tramp steamer North Star in the
Java sea. region dreaded by mari
ners for the villainous characters who
infsst it
Snat do you think of our. chances
in case they attack us?" asked the
captain.
THAT depends on our ingenuity. We
can't sink them before they reach us
Well have to prevent their boarding
US If we can. and If they board US we
will have to fight them for our lives
How can we prevent their board
ing usY"
by so manning the points they at
tempt to climb that they can't get ON
deck One American sailor armed
should be able to keep Off three China
men from climbing Il perpendicular
ships side. But excuse me. captain
| see that the villains are pointing for
us; l must go below and order up
the arms"
Harding left the captain peering at
the junk. 1t was a small vessel, small
er than the North Star. but its deck
was literally swarming with copper
colored 6ends ready for loot and muir
der. 1t had no ordnance of any cali
Der: 1t had been armed and equipped
by men who had no especial means to
equip it. and. as Harding said, relied
on taking such ships as 1t could over
power by boarding.
Soon after the FIRST officer had gone
below the men began to bring up guns,
pistols and cutlasses and distributed
them, with ammunition to fit. along
the bulwarks.
"Wheres Mr.. Harding?" the captain
demanded of one Of the men. whats
he doing below when we're in peril for
our lives?"
Hes in the engine ROOM" was the
reply.
At that moment a diabolical shout
went up which diverted the captains
attention from the delinquent Mr..
Harding. 1t was a bloodthirsty cry of
triumph. The pirates. having come
near enough to the North Star to make
sure that she had no means Of sinking
her adversary. were in very hilari-
GUS state. Their junk was tolerably
good sailer. and the wind was fair to
enable them to bear down on their en-.
envy. The North Star, though q steam.
er. was tub and could barely do sew.
en- miles an hour.
On came the junk. her murderous
crew dancing and shouting and chat
tering and brandishing their weapons.
The captain Of the North Star was 80
terrified that he took no action what
ever. but the second officer, Mr..
Meiggs. was quietly arranging the men
in groups along the bulwarks and CIV
ing them their orders. There were
few hand grenades in the stock Of ex-
plosives. and Meiggs ordered them on to
the forecastle. where 1t was expected
the Cinnamon would attempt to climb
the bowsprit chains. for the North
Star was part steamer and part sailer.
The crew was divided into two Sec
lions, the one for'ard. the other aft
"Why are you leaving the ship clear
for the devils amidships. Mr.. Meiggs"
walled the captain. Don't you sup
pose they've got sense enough to come
aboard where they have the least
height to ciimb?"
Its Mr.. Harding's orders. sir"
"Harding's orders: What's he doing
giving orders from the engine room?"
Again the captains attention was
distracted by yell from the pirates.
who were right under the North Stars
stern. There was II voley from the
men posted there. and graphing hook
that was thrown and caught ON the
gunwale was cast Off
Then the Cinnamon were seen taking
to their boats with the evident inten
ton Of stringing the fight out so far
that the little crew of the North Star
would not he able to keep them of
from all points at once. A boat load
of men well armed and with hooks and
rope ladders attacked the stern, anOth
er the bow. while boat was sent ON
each side
At this time Harding. dragging
hose. and the fireman. dragging anoth
er, came up the cOmpanionway.
"What are you going to do with
that?" asked the captain.
"a tn
words. but he did reply in action. Two
or three of the Cinnamon had climbed
up the unprotected port side. and one
of them had leg over the gunwale
Harding let drive AT him with half
inch Jet of steam from the boiler. and
be went back over the side. doubtless
glad to get into the cold water below.
At the same time the fireman opened
up on another party about to jump
down on to the deck on the starboard
side. Both Harding and the fireman.
having cleared the gunwale. carried
the nozzle to the side and. pointing the
stream downward gave death scald
to every one in the boats below. The
bow and stern being well protected by
legitimate arms OF warfare and the
sides being impregnable against a jet
Of hot steam. the pirates withdrew.
Harding. who had saved the ship by
his admirable foresight and resource.
became the idol of the crew. while all
respect for the captain was gone
When the North Star sailed again from
an American port Harding was her
master