The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-07-19
How Mr.. Harding
Conducted the
Defense
By DWIGHT NORWOOD

LuAuB over LIcTeg
Il think said Harding. that 1t is
one Of those devilish Chinese pirates
that infest these waters"
This dialogue occurred on the Amer.
lean tramp steamer North Star in the
Java sea, a region dreaded by mari
ners for the villainous characters who
infest 1t.
What do you think of our chances
in case they. attack us" asked the
captain.
That depends on our ingenuity. We
can't sink them before they reach us.
Wen have to prevent their boarding
us II we can, and If they board us we
will have to fight them for our lives"
How can we prevent their board
ing usT'
by 30 manning the points they at
tempt to climb that they can't get on
deck. One American sailor armed
should be able to keep off three China
men from climbing perpendicular
ships side. But excuse me, captain
see that the villains are pointing for
us; must go below and order up
the arms"
Harding left the captain peering at
the junk. 1t was a small vessel. small
er than the North Star. but its deck
was literally swarming with copper
colored tends ready for loot and MUIR
der. 1t had ndeordnance of any cali
Der; 1t had been armed and equipped
by men who had no especial means to
equip It, and. as Harting said, relied
on taking such ships as 1t could over
power by boarding.
Soon after the first officer had gone
below the men began to bring up guns,
pistols and cutlasses and distributed
them, with ammunition to fit, along
the bulwarka. s@i
Where's Mr.. Harding?" the captain
demanded Of one OF the men. whats
he doing below when we're in peril for
our hves?"
Hes in the engine ROOM" was the
reply,
At that moment a diabolical shout
went up which diverted the captains
attention from the delinquent Mr..
Harding. 1t was bloodthirsty cry of
triumph. The pirates, having come
near enough to the North Star to make
sure that she had no means of sinking
her adversary, were In a very hilar-
GUS state. Their junk was a tolerably
good sailer. and the wind was fair to
enable them to bear down on their en-
envy. The North Star, though a steam
er, was tub and could barely do sew
en- miles an hour.
On came the junk. her murderous
crew dancing and shouting and chat
tering and brnndishing their weapons
The captain of the North Star was so
terrified that he took no action what
ever. but the second officer, Mr.
Meiggs. was quietly arranging the men
in groups along the bulwarks and CIV
ing them their orders. There were a
few hand grenades In the stock of ex-
plosives, and Meiggs ordered them on to
the forecastie. where 1t was expected !
the Cinnamon would attempt to climb
the bowsprit chains. for the North
Star was part steamer and part sailer.
The crew was divided into two Sec
lions, the one for'ard, the other aft
why are you leaving the ship clear |
for the devils amidships, Mr.. Meiggs?"
walled the captain. Don't you sup |
pose they've got sense enough to come
aboard where they have the least
height to climb?'
tits Mr.. Harding's orders, SIR"
"Harding's orders? What's he doing
giving orders from the engine roomT
Again the captains attention was
distracted by yell from the pirates.
who were right under the North Stars
stern. There was volley from the
men posted there. and a graphing hook
that was thrown and caught on the
gunwale was cast of.
Then the Cinnamon were seen taking
to their boats with the evident inten-
ton Of stringing the fight out so far
tnat the little crew of the North Star
would not be able to keep them off
from all points at once. boat load
or men well armed and with hooks and
rope ladders attacked the stern, anoth.
er the bow. while boat was sent on
each aide.
At this time Harding. dragging a
hose. and the fireman. dragging anoth-
er. came up the companionway.
What are you going to do with
that?" asked the captain.
Harding had no time to reply In
words. but he did reply in action. Two
or three of the Cinnamon had climbed
up the unprotected port side. and one
OF them had leg over the gunwale.
Harding LOT drive az hiv,, x,-,&h ~ holA
inch jet of steam from the boiler, and
ne went back over the side, doubtless
glad to get into the cold water below.
At the same time the fireman opened
up on another party about to Jump