An Adventure in New Man Guinena

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 98, 26 September 1871, Page 7

An Adventure in New Man Guinena

7°T Mr R. M'Lean contributes to the Melbourne Atjui the following account of a romantiu adventure at Papua : —Sir, -Doing a stranger in the cilo nos, I have no other way of informing .Mr Mi icon’s frian Is of his probable death bat through the medium of your paper. I understood he was the son of the late Captain Minton of Melbourne. We took Mr Minton from the Mills Group of Islands, where he had been some months, the vessel he was in having disappeared during a storm that arose during the night, when Sir Minton an I one of the men were left on shore. The other man died from fever after a prolonged illness. We were going on to the Solomon Group of Islands and Papua. In a short time dozens of canoes came out to us, o r very large size. Mr Minton would persist in going ashore in one of the a. The natives welcomed him, and by-and-by he went into the bush with the crowd. After some time he came to the beach, and put a white handkerchief oa a pole ; so I put olf. On coming near, he callel out to me not to come ton close—so that the boat should not touch the beach—as he had no fdth in them. I therefore leaped oat some ten or twelve yards from the beach, and waded through the water. The chief welcomed me. He wished to know if Mr Minton was chief or captain. 1 made him understand the captain was on board the vessel. However, I went up to the village with him and Mr Minton. I was very much astonished to see no women, and about 800 or 1000 men, some sitting and some standing, all armed. 1 remarked the same to Mr Minton. He made answer, and said, “ I see our danger. I avil get you out of the trap, but I (Mr Minton) must bear the brunt of the consequences.” He then desired me to go aboard the boat without delay, as lie could notice that their hospitality avas forced. 1 believe he was, and is, if alive, a great discriminator of native character. He said it appeared to him they had some object in view—words avhich were only too true. He made signs to the chief that 1 was going to bring the captain. He bid me good-bye, and said he vvel knew his end, but that some of them would kiss

mother earth before they killed him. He also desired me to mention his fate, and gave me bis name, stating he was the son of Captain Minton, of Melbourne. 1 got safe on board. After stating to the captain the affair, he was much grieved, and we determine I to watch. M r M inton was well arm jI, having a breech-loader, revolver, a:i I b r.vie k dm. lie strolled slowly down the beach for some distance, now and then stopping and looking towards the bush. Two or three hours elapsed. Mr Minton turned to coma back, walking very slowly, when we saw a native emerge from the bush and make rapid strides towards him. When nearing him he raised his hand, in which he held a spear, having a tomahawk in his left hand. As he did so. Mr

Miuton as quickly turned and shut him dead. In one moment hundreds were pouring towards him from the hush, which appeare I not to have a living thing there, showing that it was all premeditated. He quickly loaded and shot another. Hundreds of spears were thrown at him. He shot three natives with the gun breech-loader and live with his revolver. He then made a rush with Ids knife and stabbed two of them. They did not close in on him. Ten wore lying on the ground, and he had time to load his gun, which we. saw him in the act of doing, when a

spear pierced him, and he fell. They were on him on his trying to rise, and struck him down with a club. We saw the chief come down and take him away. They led him up opposite the ship, and we put oft'. All his clothes were torn otf him. When we got near enough we held up a lot of arms and cloth, and made signs fof'the chief to send him hack, but he took no notice. I was much surprised at Minton’s cool, self-col-lected, calm manner under such trying and truly horrible circumstances of the inn in which he was placed. But I was not surprised after the heroic and determined stand he m i le against hundreds of natives, whose spears were flying over, around, and about him. At last he was struck down. I (irmly believe the chief interfere I in consequence of his great personal courage, for they admire anything of that kind. Mr Minton waved his hand to us. The natives brought no more produce of any kind to trade. We left, grieved and pained to think what may ha the fate of such a man. While with ns he was most courteous, genial, au 1 social ; all on board liked and respects I him. Ho was taller than aa» of the ni'ives around, being flit., and wall made in proportion. They mav make au under chief of him. We proceeded on to New p ala lonia. I left the vessel there to go to the diggings, an 1 left there shortly after to go to Oulgoug. While hare I thought 1 might write von an account, according to his wishes, in Captain Masterson of the loin, hr 3 failed to hive done so. Mr Minton might yet come safe to his friends. May Clod send and will it.

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