The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-01

IL Was very ucif-
During the night / heard a yell on
deck. / knew that a savage had STEP
ped on my tacks, but had little doubt
that 1t would drive him and those who
might be with him back to bis canoe.
And 1t did. The savages knew that
must have been warned OF their com
ing by the cry and, dreading the con-
tents Of my rifle, took themselves
away. The rest of the night was
passed In quiet.
The next morning | was still ailins
and unable to sail on. Not daring to
remain in the cabin, where could not
see the approach of an enemy, | TOOK
mattress on deck and lay there.
also removed my cabinet containing
my medical supplies and set ii on the
deck beside me. One thing ! neglect
ed to do-that is, lay rifle beside me
/ thought of doing so, but at the time
was seized with violent pain. which
SO far engaged my attention that the
rifle passed out of my mind.
A cup Of water stood beside me into
which / had put three drops OF the
fiery medicine l have mentioned. Art
er a paroxysm | would take tea
spoonful of this diluted medicine
Gradually the pain left me. and with
relief came drowsiness. ] knew that
to fall asleep might cost me my life,
but. not having slept at all the night
n
cent pain, was unable to resist.
/ should have suspected that the
medicine | was taking to relieve pain
contained an opiate or at least soda
tive. for pain alleviations almost all
rely on deadening the sensibilities. But
| did not think of this or would never
lave taken 1t, for 1t would have been
much better to suffer temporarily than
to go to sleep surrounded by those who
were bent on murder.
/ had removed the tacks from the
deck, for, having unwittingly stepped
on them, did not relish the situation
and | did not suppose I would have
any use for them during the day. Had
I expected to sleep l would have Ger
tainly left them on the deck. AS II
was, with my rifles below and the
tacks removed, l 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 I lay there trying to fight of slum
Der was absolutely unconscious OF 1t
The demon of the strait must hav'
been in league with the savages, TO
never had l floated In calmer water
A canoe Is not fitted to breast waves
and l never feared the Fuegans Il
squally weather. 1t was when tn
strait was of smooth surface that the
made their forays.
How long slept I don't know, no
can 1 account for being awakened be
fore blow was aimed to end my life
l must have been conscious In m
sleep Of the approach Of savages. SUD
denly I opened my eyes. I was lyin
on my back looking up at the blue SIX!
over which light. fleecy clouds wer
sailing lelsurely. My head was higl
l had purposely used more than on
pillow In order to be able to see abou
me. and, casting my eyes to the RICH
1 saw a canoe only hundred yard
away.
The defenselessness of my positio
rushed upon me In full force. Ther
was no time to get my rifle. Besides
If l stood up might be picked of
an arrow. My medical cabinet wa
open, and in 1t espied syringe. TIL
bottle from which had poured til
fiery draft stood beside 1t on the decl
Selling the two, put the point Of tn
syringe into the neck of the bottle an
sucked up a charge of the medicine.
was protected from the savages b
the gunwale, and If they saw me a
the syringe probably they did not col
slider 1t weapon. They came on nois,
lessly-the paddle gives no sound-an
through narrow space between th
lids Of my eyes l saw head raise
beyond the forecastle. The savag
made signs to those In the canoe ths
WIS asleep. With his hand on til
gunwale he guided the canoe to a poir
amidships where he was much neare
me. There he paused and, keeping HI
eyes fixed on me, drew a knife frol
his belt.
My syringe was in my left han
ready for use. The savage raised b
knife. His body above the waist WI
above the gunwale. He did not nee
TO come on deck to reach me.
Suddenly raised the syringe. Nevs
did I 80 concentrate my faculties o
an aim. Bringing the weapon to bes
on his eyes, l pushed the piston. TIL
Fuegan fell back with a howl, b
hapds pressed against his eyes.
m a twinkllng I had recharged m
gun and lay waiting for another a
tack. None came. l heard a hubbu
In the canoe and, raising my head, sa
the savages padding away for de,
life. Nor did they stop till they we
out of sight.
That was the closest call had WIFI
trying to pass through the domain