The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-12-21

so Tar engaged my attention that the
rifle passed out of my mind.
A cup of water stood beside me into
which l had put three drops OF the
fiery medicine l have mentioned. AIt-
err a paroxysm l would take tea
spoonful of this diluted medicine.
Gradually the pain left me, and with
relief came drowsiness. l knew tnat
to fall asleep might cost me my life;
but. not having slept at all the night
before and soothed by absence OF re-
cent pain. was unable to resist
should have suspected that the
medicine 1 was taking to relieve pain
contained an opiate or at least SEGA
tive. for pain alterations almost all
rely on deadening the sensibll1tles. But
did not think of this or would never
have taken it, for it would nave been
much better to suffer temporarily than
to 60 to sleep surrounded by those who
were bent on murder.
l had removed the lacks from the
deck, for, having unwittingly stepped
on them. did not relish the situation,
and I did not suppose I would have
any use for them during the day. Had
I expected to sleep I would have GER
tainly left them on the deck. AS II
was, with my rifles below and the
lacks removed, I was absolutely de-
fenseless-no, not absolutely; there was
a weapon at hand that required pres
ence Of mind and thought to use. But
as Law there trying to fight off slum-
Der was absolutely unconscious OF IL.
The demon of the strait must have
been in league with the savages, for
never had I foated in calmer water.
A canoe Is not fitted to breast waves,
and I never feared the Fuegans in
squally weather. 1t was when the
strait was of smooth surface that they
made their forays.
How long I slept don't know, nor
can I account for being awakened be-
fore blow was aimed to end my life.
I must have been conscious In my
sleep of the approach of savages. Sud-
denly l opened my eyes. l was lying
on my back looking up at the blue sky,
over which light, feecy clouds were
sailing leisurely. My head was high.
I had purposely used more than one
pillow in order to be able to see about
me, and, casting my eyes to the right,
I saw a canoe only a hundred yards
away.
The defenselessness of my position
rushed upon me in full force. There
was no time to get my rifle. Besides,
if I stood up 1 might be picked off by
an arrow My medical cabinet was
open, and in it espied syringe. The
bottle from which 1 had poured the
fiery draft stood beside it on the deck.
Selling the two, put the point of the
syringe into the neck of the bottle and
sucked up a charge Of the medicine.
I was protected from the savages by
the gunwale, and if they saw me fill
the syringe probably they did not con-
slider it weapon. They came on noise
lessly-the paddle gives no southland
| through a narrow space between the
lids of my eyes l saw a head raised
beyond the fOrecastle. The savage
made signs to those in the canoe that
1 was asleep. With his hand on the
| gunwale he guided hescanoe to point
amidships where he was much nearer
me- There he paused and, keeping his
eyes fixed on me, drew a knife from
his belt.
My syringe was in my left hand
ready for use. The savage raised his
knife. His body above the waist was
above the gunwale. He did not need
to come Oh deck to reach me.
Suddenly raised the syringe. Never
did l so concentrate my faculties on
an aim. Bringing the weapon to bear
on his eyes, | pushed the piston. The
Fuegan fell back with a howl, his
hands pressed against his eyes.
In a twinkling | had recharged my
gun and lay waiting for another at
tack. None came. l heard a hubbub
in the canoe and, raising my head. saw
the savages padding away for dear
life. Nor did they stop till they were
out of sight.
That was the closest call had while
trying to pass through the domain Of
the demon of the strait Whether it
was the rub l had had or the medi-
cine or the tonic Of my fight for life, 1
arose from my recumbent posture feel
ing much better. I made myself
cup Of coffee, and while drinking it
breeze sprang up. Raising the anchor,
I hoisted sail and proceeded on my
voyage.
There were other fights with wind
and savages before cleared the strait
and entered into the Pacific, but this
was the only one of my voyage in
which 1 defended myself in so unique
a manner. / have often since won
dered what kind of gun that savage
srnnoSed had fired the :l.."',.-