Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-03-09
NUMBER 10

evident from the fact that there was a
commotion aboard. But the rowing
was not long intevfered with. A jab-
bering in the Italian language follow.
ed. but they did not reply to my fire.
attributed this to their having in.
tended surprise and that they had
not expected to attract the attention
OF the rolice by the sound Of firing.
My companions were by this time
convinced by ocular demonstration
that there was mischief In the boat
near us. and both blazed away. But
the boat WIS under the bulwarks, and
we were Obliged to lean over to see
her. We heard one clear. composed
voice. evidently that Of commander
giving orders, but since We did not un-
derstand the Italian language we were
ignorant Of what he said. This con-
vinccd me that we were attacked by
a party of brigands under competent
leader and would all be murdered un-
less we could drive them off.
The Pelican's crew had gone down
into their boat by means Of the wood
en- steps roped together, used for TAX
Ing on and letting or pilots and such
ether purposes. 1t was hanging ready
for them when they should return. I
would have pulled 1t up on seeing
suspicious boat approaching, but had
not time. The bri2ands began to climb
it. Captain wainwright claimed the po-
sition to receive the first man who
came up. The bandit must use his two
hands and could not very well fight
his way OIL to the ship. but he was
protected by man in the boat, who
threw knife ut the captain, which
struck him I'm the chest. pushed him
away and took his place. knife
whiZzed by my ear so close as to clip
off enough Of 1t to draw blood, but |
succeeded in landing blow on the
head Of the top man on the ladder with
the butt Of my revolver that dropped
him.
His fall disconnected the man be-
low hi.n. and before he could reach the
top step the purser brought cutlass
down Oh him which sent him after his
companion.
Meanwhile | had noticed q nan be-
low take to the water and swim to-
ward the stern. / surmised that he
was making for the anchor chain to
climb on board. Captain Wainrtght
had pulled the knife out Of his chest,
and. thinking he might be able to pro-
tect the bow from the swimmer. sug.
gested that he do so, leaving me and
the purser where the principal danger
lay. wainwright said that he was up
to the job and started forward with
a musket, staDching the blood flowing
from his chest at the same time. He
was not seen by the man In the water,
who seized the anchor chain and was
beginning to shin up 1t when the cap
tain dropped him by shot from his
musket.
Meanwhile the purser and | were
fighting ct the steps to keep Off board
ers. We We're somewhat protected by
the bulwarks from those In the boat
and after the captains mishap kept as
well below as possible. But believed
the battle would ct last 30 against US
when I thought Of a way to cut of the
ascent. | rold the purser to bring an
sx, while | fought on. He did so. and
when he returned cut the ropes that
held the steps. There were three men
on them at the time, all Of whom tum-
bled into the boat or the water.
Hearing the sound Of oars, | looked
and saw another boat rapidly ap-
preaching. That 1t did not contain ne
endorsements for the bandits was evt
dent from the fact that they pushed
could. They were chased by the other
boat and We're fired ut. AS the latter
passed near the Pelican could see In
the moonlight that the men in 1t wore
the snowy uniforms Of the carabineers,
or national police Of Italy. We watch
ed them till we saw them overhaul the
bandits and take their boat in tow.
They pulled back to the Pelican and
lelI u " uO opohC A<h6
lish on board to get what information
We had to impart concerning the at
tack and to inform us that We would
be expected to appear against the
bandits. The police had been attract
ed by our shots.
At 2 o'clock In the morning our crew
returned minus three men we had
picked up at Tangier. These men
formed the plan Of attacking us and
getting the gold we had on board, tax
Ing with them an organized band. The
authorities offered to give up these
men Of our crew to us that We might
try them for mutiny. but our captain
preferred to leave them to be dealt
with by the italian courts.
Such was my experience In the bay
Of Naples, an experience which spoiled
that body Of water for me ever after
ward. I have been there number Of
times since, and, while 1t Is always
scene Of beauty, the memory Of that
night, which might have been my last
on earth, always threw n gloom over
it's shimmering waters.