TERRIBLE FIGHT WITH PIRATES. Saved by Boiling Water.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 290, 15 August 1888, Page 3

TERRIBLE FIGHT WITH PIRATES. Saved by Boiling Water.

A "Standard.'' telegram, from New York, says :— A telegram fiom San Francisco gives an exciting account of an. old" iashioncd attack by pirates upon the vesse San Pablo, which stranded in the Straits of Formosa on the 24th ult. A swarm of Chinese junks assembled, and discharged fecores ot armed coolies upon the vessel's decks. They were vigoiously attacked by the passengers and ciew with firearms and cutlasses. The baflicd thieves then set lire to the vessel. Presently she began to sink, and this, together with the dreadful u pi oar of the fight, spread dismay among the non-combatants, who had been confined to their staterooms. The conflict was proving the woise for the white people until the engineer poured tons of boiling water upon the pi rates through the nozzles of a quantity ot hose. The yellow thieves iled instantly. The passengers taking with them the mails and specie, hastened to the mainland in boats, and from che distance saw the pirates return to the San Pablo. A lessening party which was sent from the shore found only a burned and stripped hulk.

Bob Ingorsoll recently was talking with an old coloured woman upon religious matters. 'Do you believe, aunty,' said he, 1 that people are made out of dust ? ' Yes, sah ; the Bible says dey is, and so I believe it,' 'Bub -what is done in wet weather, when there is nothing but mud?' 'Dent s'pects he males infidels an Rich trash.' The octopus, or devil fish, when boiled and then roasted, is eaten in Corsica and ' estoomed a luxury.