The Meeker herald., 1918-01-26
A Bluff In
The Aegean Sea
BY F. A. Mitchell

1 left Smyrna In August, 1915. with
cargo Of rugs and other Asiatic
goods for the port Of New York. l
was obliged to steam through the
Greek archipelago which knew af-
forled fine nesting for corsairs. did
not fear Greeks. but I dreaded Asintlcs
from the opposite eastern coast. III
could get through to the open Mediter-
ranean sea l would feel reasonable
expectation OF getting my cargo to
America and large profit.
One day while passing between tw"
Greek islands l was called from the
noon meal by the lookout, who report
ed small craft resembling tug put
ting out from a cove and steering
course with the evident intention to
head us of. Through my glass 1 saw
that she carried the German flag.
Now, l did not believe that any Ger
man craft would he sailing In those
waters, which were occupied by the
allied fleets. especially the British III
this one were really German l was OF
the opinion that she was tender for
a submarine. However. could only
walt and learn. l kept on my course.
watching in every direction for perl
scope. till the tug-for such she proved
to be-was close on to my bows.
Through my glass I could see on her
deck \ number OF men In snilor COS
tune who might be in the German
service; but, Judging from their
swnrthy compilations. they were Ash
ntics.
One man who appeared to Ike com
mander wore the uniform OF Ger
man naval officer, but believed he
had obtained 1t without having COM
mission. He was winter than his men
and might have been European. One
thing noticed observation-disclosures was
no appearance OF cannon. Whatever
armament there was doubtless consist
ed of such weapons rs could be WELD
ed by Individuals. However. while
looked II port was opened aud the nose
Of IL little barker appeared. II was as
terrifying Ms n bull pup. did not be-
lieve 1t could sink us, though 1t might
put our machinery out of commission.
With its appearance the commander
Ok Tue luz cdllcu tuiouSh hSSAFh'aS
something In Germun which one OF my
men who understood the language
thought to be demand for surrcn-
der. A submarine was rendy to blow
us out OF water. We were given ten
minutes to take to the boats.
Never was there 4 more palpable
case OF BLUM. There was no subma-
rine. nothing which could he relied on
to sink us. We were in danger Of be-
Ing bonried and overpOwered by Asint-
ic pirates playing the submarine act
Though was not deceived. l confess
1t looked to me that the only chance
for our lives was to take to the boats
and leave our cargo to the pirates.
There were Il few small arms aboard.
but not enough OF them or men to use
them to put up an adequate defense.
But we had q means OF defense that
| had often thought Of using In case
Of being attacked by the small enemies
TINT infest certain Asiatic coasts. 1
ty of hose, and ordered It attached
to the steam cocks OF the boiler. There
were two hose which could be used
separately. l asked for more time
from the pirate md was told TINT not
minute would he granted. SO or
dcrcd the men to pretend to begin
the work Of lowering the boats. and
they made great ado with the ropes.
but accomplished nothing. During the
few minutes they were thus engaged
we were attaching the hose to the
boiler and running the MOBILES on deck,
where they were hidden under the
gunwale. When all was ready or
dcred the men away from the boats.
and word was shouted to the pirate
that II he wanted our ship to come
and take 1t or II he intended to blow
us up to do SO.
This was evidently not In his calcu-
lations. There was conference among
them: then we could see arms brought
on deck. 1t was evident that they In
tended to board us. Meanwhile they
ran up against us and were about TO
lash to us when | took hose and.
pointing 1t down ut them. sent
stream Of scaIding water among them.
which caused them to desist and get
out OF range as soon as possible.
A number OF them had been scalded
Just enough to make them furious
with pain. and. after taking time to
consider they launched rowboat car
rietl OH their deck and manned II. and
while the tug came under our bows
the rowboat approached our stern.
There was some protection for them
both fore and aft. but ns soon as a
man appeared mt either point lie re-
ceived dose OF steam that sent him
bowling back, and some of them were
knocked into the brine.
This plaii having failed, both board
ing parties retreatei and. Joining forces
Oh the tug, began to pepper us with
their little barker. l sent men below
to plug holes TINT might he made I'M
der water; but. fearing damage to our
boiler which would put us at their