The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-06-10

through dangerous SGaS
GsT Ike most savages, Malays are
very superstitious," began Cap
tain Ira. IF they run into anything
which they don't understand, their first
impulse is to get away and hide from
1t. BY that, / don't want you to think
they are towards. When it comes to
physical bravery, there are no better
men in the world than these same
Malay pirates which you have asked
about"
MALAY pirates" continued the Cap
TAIN" have built up a bad name for
themselves. Some of their chiefs
have been so powerful, and so dread
ed, that the people Of those parts
spoke of them only in whispers, and
that in fear and trembling. Strange
things have happened. Men have gone
away and have not been heard of
again. Entire ships, crews and all,
have vanished, leaving no trace.
Knowing this you may be. able to
tell something of how I felt the first
time it came my lot TO sail those wa
ters. / was cabin-bOy and general
turnkey aboard an old tramp sailor,
the Blue-Nose Lucy
This time we had been a long
spell becalmed at sea, and the fresh
water tanks were getting low. After
talking it over with the two mates,
our Captain decided to put in for
water at n Of the islands of the
lower archipelago. This was done.
Soon we lay at anchor neal a great,
wooded mountain. and in the lea Of
a sheltering island which partly closed
the throat of the harbor.
There was a Malay village across
the bay from us, and to it the Cap
tain made his way in our ships long
boat. l was taken with him, to carry
Il parcel up Of glass beads and some
other inery, which he meant to give
the Malay chief. in order to gain his
good will. But we were received with
scowls instead of smiles, and our
gifts were scOrned.
"It seems there had been several
slight earthquake shocks felt in the
village of late, and the natives were
full of fear and distrust.
After the Captain regained the ship,
plans were made to send several boats
crews, with fresh-water casks. up
the bay in search of water. This
though, was never done.
"About that time one Of the deck
watch spled a 1otilla Of war canoe:
putting out from the village and head
ing straight for us.
I'm the carved prov Of each canoe
stood a stalwart Malay, ready with
bOarding-ladder.
Several Of our crew, at sight O.
the oncOmsng horde, lay down behint
the bulwarks with pistols ready ant
prepared to sell their lives as dearl,
rs possible. Tt is helpless to try an,
fight them,' said the Captain.
ct was a tense moment as the Ma
lays, from all directions, began {
swarm over the rail. Swarthy, tur
haned heads, with. eyes flaming madly
came into view. And clenched /
white teeth shone score Of glitte
ing dirks. I thought myself as goo
as dead.
Suddenly a great, waiIing cry wer
up from the village. The Malay wa
riors stopped. One among them too
UP the cry. 1t leaped from man |
man. They turned about. over I'll
rail they returned, back into ii
canoes, then padded toward shol
like furies.
"SOon we saw what they fed fror
It was a great wall Of water, tall,
than our ship. and with a side
steep almost as a house. It was
tidal wave.
"a moment later 1t hit as. We d
not get the full force of it, for Il
island partly sheltered MS. But o.
ship was torn from her moorine
We were engulfed and swept hs
across the bay. How the Blue-No
Lucy ever weathered It.. I can't q
ure. But she did. although four Of o
crew were washed overheard
~The entire Malay canoe feet "
overwhelmed, and the survivors we
Few. IT took a tremendously pow,
ful swimmer to live in that welt
OF seething water. Even the low
part Of the village across the barb
was partly swept away.
%And now. boys went On the Ce
valn. shat shows what insane e
and distrust did to those savages.
they had behaved Ii a natural way
US. the chances are that few Of I'll
wouId have been harmed BY the tGa
wave They would have been hof
taking their aftern0oh a~ieskaa. lnske
~ on the sea. Fear and dlasrusf
ways 80 hand ii hand. Keep SIS
from BOTH they can SO gou m
Aarm.