Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 17 January 1891 — Page 6

KIDNAPED!

"IVrliaiif tin? stivmiiiwl i*l\-viitur«» 1 ever tiinl iliirini my twenty yours upn!i the sen."

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lii-_C the Milliliter of IfvS. 1 was l." yours ol.i at llie time. uinl was living wilh tny parents in San Krauci.sco. "My chief delight in (hose days wan the study of navigation, of which I n'vrr crow tired. .Mv father, who wn-« a mastor of that siieixv. briiiLj a retired sea captain, took great liains to gratify my desire for knowledge in that direction, and in order to afford ino a chance to pursue my studies he inado arrangements to send me on a voyage to Hong Koni on the ,h*annette. "The .leannette was commanded l.y Capt. tiny Wentworth, a:i ^ld friend of my father, and us he had always been kind to me 1 anticipated a most pleasant voyage. "1 was provided with a set of navigator's instruments, including a costly watch, and was to keep a reckoning through the voyage. "In addition to the ship's crow there wore on hoard the.lei.nnetto about twenty Chinamen, who had made large sums of money in the gold fields, and were returning to their native land to enjoy tlieir wealth. Their money, which was nearly all in gold dust and nuggets, stored on Ixianl the ship. "Among the sailors on board the Jeannet te was a man by the name of Jack

Peters. Fie could not have been loss than 30 years of age, tall, raw boned, with a complexion as brown as an autumn leaf. From tlio very first he seemed to lake a great liking to me, and seemed greatly interested in my progress in learning navigation. At every opportunity lie would engage me in conversation. yet I could not make up mv miud to like him. "There was something about the man that caused no to distrust him. in spite of his evident disposition to make me his friend. "We had been at sea nearly five weeks when one night, just as I wits preparing to turn in. Peters came to uiy room and Hsked me to go with him. Joe Braddon, he said, who was taking his turn at the wheel, wanted to speak to me. "I thought it an odd request, as 1 had but a slight acquaintance with 13raddon but I followed him, littlo dreaming of the ftartling events that were soon to take place. "The night was intensely dark, and a heavy mist hung over the sea. I had not taken a dozeu steps after leaving mv room when 1 was suddenly seized from behind by strong arms and borne to tlu deck. was about, to make an nutcry, when a hand was placed over my mouth and a harsh voice warned me that if 1 made the least alarm 1 would foe knocked on the head and thrown into the sea. "This induced mo to remain quiet while my hands were securely tied behind my back. Then some one took me from the deck, and slipping over the rail descended into a boat that had been lowered alongside the vessel. I thrust down in the bottom of the boat md commanded to keep quiet upon peril of mv life. "So astonished and bewildered had 1 been at the sudden assault that it was some time before I could realize what was taking place. 1 sat there like one stupefied, huddled down, while a dozen

Df the sailors descended from the ship and took their places in the boat, and the ship swept on her course and was wou lost to sight in the gloom. "'What does this mean'r'I cried, as 3oon as 1 dared speak. 'Why have I been taken from the ship?' 'We'll let you know all soon enough,' replied the voice of Peters. 'We've got use for ye, an' if ye do the r'ght thing we'll treat ye all fair.' 'An' if he don't,' said one of the bailors in a threatening tone. 'We'll feed him ter the sharks,' fii:»hed Peters in a calm voice. "Some of the men now hoisted the sail ind the boat was turned to the northwest. My hands were then unbound, and I was free to move about the boat as 1 .ileased, but 1 was eaulioned to make no loise in casta we were pursued by the -hip. For nearly an hour we continued jur course in silence, then Peters said '1 reckon thar ain't no use in tlisxuisin' matters, now that we've got the

in our

ilower.

The fact is,' he con-

Jimed. addressing mi!, 'we've jist reieved the Jeannette uv a little uv her fold—about $100,000, 1 reckon—ami wo .vant ver ter help us git away with it. The gold all belonged to them heathen -I'liinainen, an' it didn't look like the fair hing for them to take it out of thucoun:ry where they made it, an' wo decided bring part uv it back—kind uv an exsort duty, you see. Now. if you'll help as to git to Formosa we'll do the fair :hing"by you. an' you'll git your part of •lie gold.' 'I don't want any of it,' I replied in lignantly. "1 will not be a party to four robbing scheme, but 1 suppose 1 .•an't help myself about assisting you to ,'et ashore, since 1 am with von, but lon't think that 1 would not give you ill over to the authorities if 1 could. 'Oh. we'll risk that.' laughed Peters.

Only you pilot us to Formosa and we'll Jo the rest. We'll see that, you don't lose nothing, and besides we know you've I't-en want in' a chance to try your skill tt navigatin", and we ain't in favor uv keepin' a boy back when he wants to learn. "This sm'och brought a hearty laugh from the sailors. "1 now began to understand the situation in which I was placed. That tin men would have no mercy on me if I failed to do their bidding I well knew, vet 1 felt it my duty to make some at tempt to thwart their plans. Cut I must have time to think, and to gain this it was necessary for me to appear as passive is possible, not to excite suspicion. As soon as the robbery us discovered 1 knew that the Jeannetto would double on her course and try to run down the robbers, and there might Ik a chance of my arresting them if I managed matters rightly, hut any uttempt to deceive my captors would be a dangerous undertak­

ing, and should I bo discovered would, in all probability, cost, me my life. Knowing this, I recognized the noces.-ily of using th: greatest camion in what I did.

The night was still dark, with a heavy mist hangii over the sea. allording an excellent opportunity for theboat to escape the vessel. It was fully two hours before Peters would allow even a match to 1e lit to look at tin compass to ascertain our course. Then the boat was headed for the northwest. 'The night uvt d, and when morning dawned the sea was still covered with a dense fog. On taking my bearing 1 found, as near as I could calculate, that we were 21 dogs. 12 mills, north latitude, and 122 degs. mins. east longitude. This would make our position about M0 miles east by some 00 miles south of the island of Formosa, and nearly S00 miles east of Hong Kong. Uv keeping on a direct western course 1 could readily see that we would miss Formosa full thirty miles and follow in the wake of the Jeannetto. As 1 reflected on this fact it suddenly occurred to me that 1 might mislead the robbers as to our true position. and while pretending to pilot them to Formosa I might induce them to continue on toward Hong Ivoiig, thereby providing a possibility of encountering the Jeannette. But scarcely had this resolution taken place in my mind when

Peters approached ntnl began to examine the chart, asking me to show him our position.

Ill response to his request I pointed to a spot one degree north of our trim position, venturing the remark that we would reach the island the quickest by keeping in a tine western course. •He math no reply to my remark, but after asking a few questions as to the probable distance to the island he turned to his mou and gave orders for the boat to be headed for the north.

My heart sank withiu me at this, and for a moment I believed that my deception hail been discovered. However, the next moment he explained to the men that it was his object to get as far out of the track of the Jeannette as possible before making for the island.

Being thus reassured, I ventured to suggest that the Jeannette would most likely search for us among the Boslier islands that lay close to us on the south, but Peters cut me off with the pert remark that 1 was not brought along to give advice. This left me with no alternative but to quietly submit to being carried away beyond the possibility of encountering the Jeannette.

My knowledge of Uio island to which we were bound was of the most meager character, and all I could recall regarding it was that it lay some thirty leagues oiT the coast of Fu-Kina, a province in southeastern China, and was infested with a tribe of savage and warlike natives.

All that day we continued our course to the north, then turned westward, and two days later sighted the rock bound coast of eastern Formosa. Continuing our course northward for several leagues we entered a narrow inlet, and passing up this for four or tivo miles, wo landed in a secluded spot, where we disembarked and concealed the boat under a clump of trees that overhung a narrow neck in the little bay.

In a level spot about 200 yards from the shore a camp was made, anil here we remained for three days before I learned anything regarding the future plans of my captors. Then, from what 1 overheard from Peters in his conversation with the others, I learned that we were to remain in concealment there for three or four weeks, perhaps, when a small vessel—a smuggler on the Chinese coast, I gathered—commanded by an old friend and pal of Peters, would arrive and carry us to Australia. In order to carry out this plan one of the conspirators had been left a'ooard the Jeannette. and on his arrival at Hong Kong he was to see the smuggler, whose ship would probably bo at that port, and acquaint him with the business on hand, and pilot him to the place agreetl upon on the west coast of Formosa. What disposition was to be made of me in the meantime I was unable to learn, but 1 had the gravest apprehensions that it was their intention to leave me on the island. "However, 1 was allowed my freedom, and went and came as I pleased. Sometimes I would venture quite a distance inland, wandering over the hills and through the deep canons, in which grew abundance of tropical fruit, while birds of rare and brilliant plumage flew about me throngh the'porfumed air.

It was about a week subsequent to our landing on the island. I was returning one evening from one of my short excursions inland, when, on crossing a littlo hill, a strange, startling sound, coming from the camp in the valley lielow, reached my ears. "Hastening to the top of the hill looked down into the little valley, where a strange sight met n:y gaze. Coming swiftly from a strip of deep forest to the north, leaping over the jagged rocks that covered the hill. 1 saw a horde of Formosa savages rushing furiously down upon the sailors at thecainp. brandishing their spears and gesticulating wildly as they ran. "For a riinment,l was almost, stupefied wilh surprise and fear. Sosudtleiily had they appeared upon the scene that it seemed as if thev had sprung up from the very earth, I reeognizi.il in a moment that I us well as the sailors was in the most deadly |k*ri 1, for the natives of

Formosa are as fierce and warlike as the Sioux and Apaches of our own country. "I heard tim voice of Peters shouting to the men to run for the boat, initfbefore the order could be obeyed the savages were npou tlii'Ui. I heard lie rapid discharge of firearms as the sailors rallied about their leader and sought to repel the advancing foe. Then the line of screaming, maddened natives closed in upon them, and nothi'ig could be seen but a mass of struggling humanity. It would be impossible for me to desorilie the fearful scene that followed, in which the boat's crew were every one cut down and literally hacked to pieces before my very eyes. "At the first, apjiearauce of the savages 1 had sunk down behind a'clumpof

bin-lies, ami. lying there upon the ground stupefied with horror. I witnessed that awful scene, the horror of which can never be erased from my memory. "1 low long I lay there I cannot tell, for 1 must, have swooned at. the terrible sight I had been compelled to witness. The next I remember was of lying there among the luishes trying to recall the pa.-t'. As soon as I could realize the situation I arose and peered down into the valley. The savages had all disappeared as mysteriously as they had come. The sun was low in the horizon, and a deathly stillness had fallen over the scene. "For half an hour 1 stood there, waiting and listening for sounds of the savages. but at length, hearing nothing to excite my fear, I stepped frotn tlio thicket of bushes and stole cautiously down to the little grove where the camp had been. "There amid the rank shrubbery lay the mangled remains of the ill fated sailors, disfigured beyond recognition.

For several moments 1 stood there almost paralyzed by the horror of my situation. Then the deadly peril that surrounded me roused me to the knowledge of the necessity of immediate action. It would not. do to linger there a moment, as there was no telling when thesavnges might again appear upon the scene but what was I to do? "Suddenly I thought of the boat. Was it still there, or had it been taken away by the savages? With a beating heart 1 fairly ran toward the place where it had been loft. 1 could hardly suppress a cry of joy as I pushed through the thick branches to the water's edge and found the boat still there unmolested by the natives. A glance told nn that nothing had been removed from the boat save a small portion of the provisions, and I at once resolved to put to sea in it and trust to chance to be picked up by some passing ship. "It only required a few moments for me to board the boat and push out into the little bay. I was well skilled in its management, and soon had the sail hoisted to catch the strong off shore breeze that was now blowing. Taking the rudder, 1 ran swiftly down the inlet to tlio open sea. A mile farther on I rounded a headland and was standing out toward the middle of the bay when

I heard the sound of many strange voices coming from the shore. Glancing toward a narrow jicninsnla that lay on my left 1 saw a band of savages running swiftly toward the water's edge, brandishing their weapons and uttering savage exclamations as they ran. "A shudder passed over me as I thought of what my fate would be should I fjill into their hands. But as I could see no boat in which they could pursue me upon the water I felt that I was safe beyond their reach. However, my feeling of security w.'is of short duration, for scarcely had the savage.' reached the water's edge when I saw them scramble down among the rocks and disappear into what seemed to be a kind of grotto. A moment later along canoe tilled with the natives shot out into the bay and came swiftly in pursuit. Then another and another followed in quick succession till half a dozen had joined in the chase.

Although I was fully a quarter of a mile in advance of them now, I recognized the fact that there was the greatest danger that I would bo overhauled by them. •There were no weapons in the boat with which I could defend myself, but even if there had been 1 would have stood no chance of repelling a score of bloodthirsty savages. There was but one chance of escape, and that lay in flight. Recognizing this fact I held the little craft full before the wind, which was now growing stronger as I n&ared the open sea. "But in spite of this I could see that the pursuing canoes wore slowly but surely gaining on me. Xearer and nearer they drew, till, glancing back, I could see the fierce look of exultation on the hideous faces of the savages, and hear their wild ejaculations of triumph as they bore rapidly down upon me. Fifteen minutes more and they would be within reach of me. With a feeling of despair I lashed the rudder in place: I grasped a plank from the bottom of the boat—the oars had been removed by the robliers—and began to row with it as liest I could. "We had now left the inlet, and were out in the open sea. I cast a hasty glance across the water with the hope of seeing some passing ship, but there was no sign of a sail in sight. "But now for tlie first time I noticed that an ashy pallor was stealing over the mist covered sky. and with a feeling of joy 1 knew that the night, wliich comes down so rapidly in the tropics, was near at hand. A few moments later the darkness hail deepened so that only the dim outlines of the pursuing canoes were visible through the gloom. A few minutes more and they were lost to sight- in the black night that settled rapidly over the sea. "Tii. iwing down the plank with which I had been rowing I now grasped the rudder again and changed iny course to the southeast, while I listened intently to the sound of the pursuers' path lies.

A few minutes later 1 heard them pass on to tin north of me, while with a strong wind filling the sails of my boat I bore swiftly and noiselessly away to the south. The noises of the paddies died away in the distance, and 1 knew that 1 was "I continued my course southward until daylight, when I could see the coa.-t of Formosa lying some four or five miles to the west.. The next day 1 rounded South Cape and was picked up by the Jeannette, which had returned and was standing up the Formosa coast in search of the robber*. '•1 was handsomely rewarded for the part I had played in restoring the treasure to its owners, and my adventures were the all absorbing topic of conversation during the voyage. "t )n mv return to San Francisco I was appointed second mate on the Jejinnettc." —V.'ill Leiscnliee in Detroit News.

Washington's bij wheat crop lias been estimated at 10,000,000 bushels.

A nice black Hair Mull only 50.: a nice) line of Muffs mul Cnpes.nl at special prices for the holiday trade.

liny a nice Dress Pattern foi Christmas present. We nave tlieui for s2. $3. #4.• i5, Sii. ST, $*, $10 anil up to $20 a suit. Give us a call anil we will help you to innke a nice choice.

Buy a nice silk umbrella for a present. We have them at $1.07, $1.27, $1 11 ami up to $10 each. We will save you from $1 to S-'i on your umbrella puiehasi

Bus amce pan roster Kid Gloses for a Christmas present.

Buy a pair of our black silk Mit ts we nre selling at $1. We lmve some very nice black silk and wool Hose siiltidde for,Christmas presents.

You should see the silk muniers we are sidling at 25u, Hoc, 50c and 75c.

20 pounds New Orleans Sugar 18 pounds Golden Sugar. 17 lbs. White Extra Sugar. 16 lbs. Confectioners A 1 lbs. Granulated Sug.

Sugar..

New Years isn't very far oft, is it? You wouldn't think so if you would tai a look into our store. We have a larger stock than ever, our whole store is just p?led full of pretty things. We want you to

Just Gome and See Thei Holiday Presents at Very Low Price

Look at the list of articles we have to sell.

iscentainly some item which you want lor

Mother, Brother, Sister, Wife, Husband, Sweethean

Great

chiefs.

CASTOR IA

tor Infants and Children.

"Caaterift so well adapted to children thst I recommend it *«(uperior to any

prescription

ATA

I ELY

noli tiny side of silk hand or

Buy a nice lace bod set for a Christmas prooctit.

Huvasetof acoeuitftins for a Christ mas pp'sent.

Get one of those tine set of Cheniilo Curtain.-, with plain and liinuv borders.

We have bought about 300 of those fancy Chenille table covers they are beauties, call and see them.

Buy one of those nico home-made bed comforts.

Buy a nice pair of iWl wool blankets.

W have the nicest line of fans suitable for presents evor shown in this city.

See the nice line of towels we are liowing tor holiday presents.

Our line of t'lble linens and napkins to match are the town talk.

The Ladies' Dry Hoods Rnnse and Ladies' Bazar.

127 and 129 East Main Street, Crawtordsville. I

Sugar! Sugai

BarnhillHornadav&Pickettta

.Furniture, Stove and Grocery Store.

1

CastoMit eoi»* Oolie. OMwHpatioa, 8our Stomach, Diarrhcss, SnicUUon, KUls Worms, give* sleep, And pronolai dft-

I

kaerotoine." H. k. AacBBR,il.D., (U So. Oxford B4., Brookijm, N. T.

I WltEout injurious meditation To* Ckktaur Company,77 Hurray Stmt, If. f.

THE POSITIVE CURE.

Girls who use

BROTHERS. Warren BU New Tork. rrice B0

ELL BRE

SAPOy© are

tyicrt*:

&TARg

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QU1CK1Y MARRIED

S APOLIO is one of tlie best known city luxuries and each time a cake is used an hour is saved. On floors, tables and painted work it acts lika a charm.. For scouring pots, pans and metals it has no equal. If your ^tore-keeper does not keep it you should insist upon his doing so, as it always givps satisfaction and its immense sale all ovsr the United States makes it an almost necessary article to any well supplied store. Everything shines after its use, and even the children delight in. using it in heir attempts to help around the house.

Thei

Fathef

Now Is the time to buy thin we are making special ,ow price-. I out cloaks to make a clean them.

See our special display of cooible for presents.

Fine toilet sots collar and tuS 500 boxes writing paper worth fto 35c a box, your choice for luc.

See our silk Persian Shan! fischus, tinlaumliied, aprons. f» .. scarfs, eh IK iron's plush caps m. Oh italnlne bags and money pur--thiows, etc.

See our new style of antiipusets for the holidays. .•

Wo have 100 large sizes Chrochot Quilts worth ri ro sell at 09c each.

•fOome antl look, we will do to help you see all the above gi many others we have not month.

-CO! lOUISVIlli.tiEWAlbUJii

I lhrouKb Rout

Chicago, Louisville. Lafayette. (jreeiitti Michigan Citv.

Bedford/ New Al!| All Points North. Soul and West.

South hound.--No. lally No, fun nmil. L'.'O. p, it liodt'ord AccoimuwlatftdiV5i* iwwpt Sunday,

North lM)und.—No. 4, nivrht in., dully No. tl. fust imiil. p. I Uifuyotlu Accommodation. HM. a. SunUiy.

No I rviKht ruins mrry pn^ripvr*.

4, r».

rt. *tops only sitComi!.1

mmi?

JAMKMUEi

flon. I'rm. Ayt. Mooes!

Monon Block. Cblciico.

Big 4

Peoria Diva Formerly UUl Sbor: LinfJ East and

Route.

Wsigner Sleepers and HwiUiin? onniirht truing. Uust modern dsjfl all trains.

Connecting with solid W'tibu:eJ BloomiiiKton und Peoria to nnJ fnal river, Denver and the PaWflc

At Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columhus to and from the Eas**"1 hoard cities.

TRAINS AT CUAWFOT sVZLUg

GOING WKS»7.

i' No. lUnall No.7 mailed..' No. 17 mull

No. Ji Rxpresa

f5 4:-

GOING EAST.

No. 10 Mall (d) No. Kacpress

HSVo. IK Mall No.X Mull For full Information repHnlin?c and routes, consult the ticket folders. REOltGK

Vandal ia L|

OIltECT lUJl'TKlO

tashvillp, OhattantKipt Florida, Hot Sjirinssl Texas, Kansas. Si Michigan, Canada,

Nni'tH

Clean Depots, Clean

Sound if

J. U. Hutcliinso"-

Drs.T.J.and Martha E.H.' Office mul ..j snutii Uosidonco Mrs. Dr. Griffith sivea spec

Chronic and Surgtc™ Women,Children, »nd OW''1 Dr. Griffith, a general Pr"c:^_J

CONSULTATION

FByl

.Dancing

AcadejJ

(.'I.OR 12 BLOCK Tl..-' J| Clark's school begi"6 tut^ Tuesday, Wednesday iiiBs. Cliildrens cliisse*

110011.

Private lessons jfivru South Walnut, Street.