Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-03-09

remain In the CABIN, Wnere couLu NOE
see the approach Of an enemy, took
mattress on deck and lay there. !
also removed my cabinet containing
my medical supplies and set It on tho
deck beside me- One thing neglect
cd to do--that Is, lay 4 rifle beside mo-.
I thought OF doing 30, but at the time
was seized with violent pain, which
so far engaged my attention that the
rife passed out Of my mind.
A cup Of water stood beside me into
which had put three drops Of the
fiery medicine I have mentioned. Aft
or a paroxysm would take a 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
before and soothed by absence OF re-
cent pain, was unable to resist.
should have suspected that the
medicine was taking to relieve pain
contained an opiate or at least q soda
tive, for pain alleviations almost all
rely on deadening the sensibilities. But
did not think of this or would never
have taken It, for 1t would have been
much better to suffer temporarily than
to 90 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 l would have
any use for them during the day. Had
I expected to sleep would have GER
tainiy left them on the deck. As It
was, with my rides below and the
tacks removed, was absolutely de-
fenseless not absolutely; there was
a weapon at hand that required pres
ence Of mind and thought to use. But
as lay there trying to fight OF slum-
Der was absolutely unconscious OF 1t.
The demon Of the strait must have
been in league with the savages, FOR
never had hoated In calmer water.
A canoe IL 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 slept l don't know, nor
can / account for being awakened be-
fore blow was aimed to end my life
l must have been conscious In my
sleep Of the approach Of savages. Sud.
denly I opened my eyes. I was lying
on my back looking up at the blue sky.
over which light, heecy clouds were
sailing leisurely My head was high
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 rife. Besides,
II stood up might be picked of by
open, and in II ! espied syringe. The
bottle from which had poured the
fiery draft stood beside II on the deck
Selling the two, put the point Of the
syringe into the neck Of the bottle and
sucked up charge OF the medicine.
was protected from the savages BY
the gunwale, and II they saw me al
the syringe probably they did not con
slider II a weapon. They came on noise
lessly-the paddle gives no southland
through a narrow space between the
lids Of my eyes | saw a head raised
beyond the forecastle. The savage
made signs to those In the canoe thai
was asleep. With his hand on the
gunwale he guided the canoe to point
amidshlps where no was much nearer
me. There he paused and, keeping bis
eyes fixed on me- drew knife from
his belt.
My syringe was In my left hanc
ready for use. The savage raised his
knife His body above the waist wa
above the gunwale. He did not neet
TO come on deck to reach me.
Suddenly raised the syringe. Never
did | 80 concentrate my faculties on
an aim. Bringing the weapon to beaI
on his eyes, pushed the piston. The
Fuegan fell back with howl. his
hands pressed against bis eyes.
In a twinkllng had recburged my
gun and lay waiting for another at
tack. None came. heard a hubbul
In the canoe and, raising my head. saw
the saynges padding away for dear
life. Nor did they stop TIL they were
out Of sight
Tint was the closest call had while
trying TO pass through the domain OF
the demon Of the strait Whether II
was the rub had had or the medt
cine or the tonic Of my fight for life, !
arose from my recumbent posture feel
Ing much better | made myself q
cup Of coffee. and while drinking II o
breeze sprang up. Raising the anchor
I hoisted sail and proceeded on my
voyage.
There were other fights with wind
md savuges before ! clenred the strait
and entered into the Pacific, but this
was the only one Of my voyage IN
which defended myself In NO unique
Il manner. | have often since won
dered what kind Of gun that savage
supposed had fred the burning LIQUID
into his eyes. The rifle he knew, he
had seen pistols, but this singing lit
tie imp Of weapon was entirely new
10 him.
Once In open waters ! had no dlfIi
Guilty In smiling the Wasp and In due
time delivered my cargo at Valparaiso
| returned through the strait but IN
a In