Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
African Mystery Involves Hidden Terror for Villagers

their aim was high, and the missiles all
dropped into the sea behind us.
Still, this antiquated weapon might
well prove very formidable IL they once
got the range, and I ordered my armada
forward before the rascals could reload.
few minutes and we were scrambling
over her rail like an old-tine boarding
party.
Once more, as I landed on the deck,
knife was thrown at me and stuck
uuivering in the spot where had been
a second before. The t1rower was
wicked-looking. crop-haired man whom
/ afterward knew as Baldo. Before
could fire. second knife caught one
of my fellows in the body, the wound
laying him low for many months.
This reused my fighting blood In
earnest. and as another pirate drew
back his arm to huri his deadly
weapon, fired at him and saw him
crumple to the deck. Then the whole
gang rushed at us with great smooth
headed mallets, and the engagement be-
came general.
1T was at this point that 1 caught
sight Of the huge figure of Salvador
climbing the gunwale of the cutter, and
made up my mind that he must be
captured at all costs. Somehow got
across the deck to him, and his look
of establishment when he recognized me
was comical. For second he hest
tated, and the pause gave me my
chance. Putting the full weight OF my
body behind the blow, sent my fist
crashing into his face. He clutched
grotesquely at the empty air, and then
toppled over backwards into the sea.
Pandemonium now reigned all round,
but the shouts of my valiant blacks in
dicated that the advantage lay with us:
the half-breeds were in process of get
ting what they had asked for" for
very long time.
Dawn now began to break. and with
daylight the situation grew clearer.
Some miles out to sea, those Of the
enemy's cutters that had not been lin
/ action" were preparing to sail away.
warned by some of the rasca!s who had
| escaped by swimming. Six boats re-
manned in our possession, and all round
us fioated empty dinghies and discarded
| drift-nets. which my men were busily
collecting.
/ enough for the present, so we set about
/ the grim duty of tending the wounded
| and reckoning up the casualties. The
| breeze began to freShen. whereupon I
| transferred all our additional prisoners
| to the guard ship" and set sail for
| home. Before midday the inhabitants
/ of the settlement were aStounded to see
half dozen cutters sweep in over the
bar and make for the wharf, towing be-
| hind them the local fishing boats and
many strange dinghies.
The whole population of the place
crowded down to the jetty, and when
we were recognized a roar of delight
| went up and throngs of half-naked ma
tives began TO dance and sing in cele-
bration of our victory. Their Joy, how
ever. turned to grief when they learned
| of the casualties
We brought back with us 20-odd pris-
| oners, all told and these we're promptly
incarcerated in the old fort.
The ensuing trial was a memorable
| affair and attracted hundreds Of people
from outlying districts. Baldo and two
| others received sentences aggregating
| 40 years hard labor: the remainder also
| were awarded exemplary punishment
| Deportation orders were issued in every
case, and all the cutters. dinghies and
gear we had captured were ordered to
be confiscated.
Salvador, who had escaped after ]
had knocked him overheard. was caught
trying to blow a hole in the fort wall
with dynamite in order to rescue his
comrades. After being somewhat roughly
handled by the native sentries, he also
| found himself in the dock in due course.
| and was given 10 years.
The judge was kind enough to COM
l ant SVao M she w he oF
with the result that was granted
months special leave. AS it turned out.
our night battle stamped out forever
the nest of pirates who had so long ter
rorized the coast, and thereafter the
natives f1shed as of yore, no longer
| obSeSsed by unknown terrors.
tCopyright. 1897