The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-06-26
B. DONALD daAMBHRlIN

lying. and I was not enjoying my stay,
for. being at no great distance from
either shore, l did not know when a
party Of lawless negroes would come
aboard for murder and loot.
Unfortunately during the day we had
heard of u dance that was to take
place at the house of one Of the small
planters living in that region, and the
whole crew asked me for leave to 60.
l preferred that none Of them should
leave the yacht. but reluctantly con
scented that half should 60 in charge
Of the quartermaster, leaving me the
other half. They had not been gone
long before l saw a boat coming with
a single man in it. who told me that
some negroes were looting his house
and begged me to send a force to drive
them Of. I could not refuse such a
request, and my men all wished to be
permitted to go. i sent four Of the
five, retaining one man, Erickson, who
was not very well and therefore per-
fectly willing to remain with me.
The second detachment had not been
gone long when, pacing the stern deck
dissatisfied with myself for letting my
crew leave the yacht unprotected, !
saw a boat evidently we'll loaded with
human beings leave the north bank
Of the river and pull directly for me. l
smelled danger at once and called to
Erickson, who was in his bunk in the
%forecastle. to bring up an armful Of
weapons and ammunition. $40
He oon came up the companionway
staggering under his load and distribs
uted them in different parts Of the
yacht. When the approaching boat
came near enough to distinguish her
crew and l could see that they were all
blacks, it flashed across me that the
information that had been given my
men as to the dance and the story
about the attack on my visitors home
were simply ruses to get my men away
in order that a party might come out
and loot the yacht. took position
with a; repeating ride astern and Or
dered Erickson to place himself further
forard. If I fired l would pick a man
in the bow, and he was to fire at q
man in the stern.
When the boat came within range l
ordered the men to keep OF. but they
paid no attention to the order. pulling
right along. All but the helmsman had
their backs to me and every oarsman
was busy with his oar; consequently
had the advantage Of them. for they
could not both row and fight. while ]
could pour lead into them ad lib. The
boat was a yawl and there. were eight
oarsmen' In her, each man pulling q
single al g.
I gave a second order before firing.
and still not being obeyed l took aim
at the bow oarsman as near as l could
distinguish him from the others and
fired. My shot was followed by one
from Erickson. We could not see just
what damage we had done, but It was
evident that We had thrown them into
confusion They stopped rowing and
some, o. them were evidently ahiniater.:
Ing to wounded men. while others were
jabbering at each other in a lingo we
did not understand. At least we were
not near enough to do SO.
Not wishing to hurt any more men
than necessary. I ordered them to turn
about and pull away. But the steers
man. who was evidently their leader.
was yelling at them to pull for the
yacht. for most Of them gave way. /
fired again and saw a man fall back
ward. Erickson duplicated my shot.
but apparently did no damage. Seeing
that our enemy was bent on rushing
us. l dropped my ride and picked up
a couple Of hand grenades. calling to
Erickson to do the same.
I had scarcely changed my weapon
when BY a squirt the blacks came up
and rounded alongside. Both Erick-
son and ! met where they touched the
yacht and each tossed q hand grenade
into the boat A, terrible havoc vas
produced. but I did not stop to see Just
what damage was done. for ! heard
oars pulling. with q quick stroke on
the other eide Of the yacht. Shouting
TO Erickson to defend that side. ! ran.
to. the other ode. carrying an armful
Of weapons With me-.
I saw another boat coming which I
did MOI; doubt Was an auxiliary force
to the one 1 had been opposing. With.
ont waiting tpshajl them. ]. 6red a,shot
at; them: I don't think I hit any one,