TALE OF THE SEA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1780, 11 June 1906, Page 3

TALE OF THE SEA.

ADVENTUROUS BOYS WHO /DEBERT SHIP.

(Pen* Press 'Association.) Auokland, Saturday. - Two of tbe Bteecagß passengers by the steamer Taviuni. whioh arrived from tbe ialanda to day,- have an intereating story to tell. They deserted their ahip on the high seas, and alter a long pull in an open boat landed on the islands of the Society group, joining the steamer the™ for Auckland, Their Dameß are J. Champion, a Welling ton youth, and Maynnit.d, an American. After daylight broke Jbey.dearly discovered tbe outline of an island. The distanoe was roughly fifty miles, but the youths set to the task of rowing for the shore with a will, and alter thirteen hours they ran their boat on the beach at the island of Tautera, distant about forty miles from Papeete, in the Society groupThey reported the oiroumstanoes of the flight to the native chief, who received them hospitably, and they stayed a week at the settlement, spending a very enjoy* able time. The chief in the meantime had oommnnioated with the British Commissioner, tbe result being that at the end of the week the gendarmes arrived on the scene, arrested the youths, and took them to Papeete, where on arrival of the Tavinni they were placed on board the : steamer to be oonvoyed to Auckland. Champion, on beiDg seen by a Star representative, stated that he and Maynard were members of a crew of the barque TemplelOD, which left Newoastlo on April 13th last for Honolulu. Fights ■ and quarrels were not, he says, infrequent on tbe ship, until at length life became unbearable to the youths, and when they were five weeks at sea they .concocted a plan to get away from the ship in one of the boats. Provisions consisting of a keg of water and a few biscuits were plaoed iu a small bca'. Selooting a favorable night the two adventurers lowered tbo boat and puahed off from the ship’s Bide. Their esoapo was immodiatoly noticed, end the ship was put about, the intention being to overtake the little boat, and the wind at tbe lime was very light, and aftor chasing the deserters for a little while the Temple ton was again put on her comse for - Honolulu,