A Bit from the Story of the "Spray."

Manawatu Herald, 21 November 1896, Page 3

A Bit from the Story of the "Spray."

. ♦ — — Captain Slooum lias gained notoriety by his voyage in a boat alone, and some of his experiences are worth reading. The " Spray," the boat he built, is of thirteen tons register, and measures 40 feet in length with a beam of 14 feet and a depth of 5 feet 4 inches. Going through the Straits of Magellan was the most dangerous part of the voyage. The fierce winds, strong currents, and above all, the hostile Fuegians, made the pejaage of the Straits extremely difficult and dangerous. These Fuegians ere caid to be about the lowest specimens of humanity. They beg, murder steal as if to the manner born, &nd their favourite means of plundering a vessel is to set it ablaze by means of lighted faggots, which they carry in the bottom of their canoes. Only a week before the " Spray's " arrival, five out of six men who had gone ashore from a schooner were butchered by these savages. For once j Captain Slocum realised what it Was to be alone. He tried to ship a hand or two at Sandy Point, but only one would " risk it," and he on condition that two others were obtained, together with a dog. There was nothing for it then but to show a bold front and trust to his rifle, his revolver, ahd his tacks. The tacks had been given him by an old skipper named Pedro Samlich, and great thing! were expected of them. Nor waa the Captain deceived. "Few people," he says, " can tread on a tack and lay nothing about it. The average man will swear straight, a j Pttlfcy good Christian will whistle, Sht lavage will howl and claw the air." There was a good deal of howling and clawing that first night in the straits. The tacks were thickly spread over the deck, and the redskins no sooner clambered on board than they were off again with a yell into the water. The plan worked admirably for a time, but by-andby the cunning rasoala returned shod with thick skins and greenhide mocassins. Their ruffianly leader knew something oi Spanish, and wught to parley with the Captain and learn the strength of his orew. It had been the navigator's dread all along lest they should find oat the truth, and at night he used to retort to the pious iraud of Betting up a dummy, with a sou' wester hat on, forward, and reappearing himself at intervale in a change of headgear. He wai thug in a position to Inform the redskins that his orew wen three. "Where are they?" liked the Indian. "Aileep," replied the worn-out captain," they nave to watch at night while I watch daring the day." The redskins were loth to depart, and only did so after the optain burnt some powder under their nostrils.