ADVENTUROUS SAILORS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8131, 11 June 1906, Page 2

ADVENTUROUS SAILORS.

DESERT ON THE HIGH SEAS. PEIt PBES9 ASSOCIATION. Auckland, June 9, Two of the steerage passengers by the Taviani, which arrived from the Islands to-day, have an interesting story to tell. They deserted their shiji on the high seas, and after a long pull in an open'boat landed on the Islands of the Society Group, joining the steamer there for Auckland. Their names are J. Champion, a Wellington youth, and Maynard, an American.

Shortly after daylight broke they dimly discerned the outline of an Island. The distance was roughly fifty miles, but the youths set to the task of rowing for the shore with a will, and after thirteen hours they ran their boat on the beaoh at the Island of Tautira, distant about forty miles from Papeete, in the Society Group, They reported the oircumstances of their flight to the native chief, who received them hospitably, and they stayed a week at the settlement, sponding a very enjoyable time. The chief in the meantimo had communicated with the British Consul, the result being that at the end of a week some cendarmos arrived on the scene and arrested the youths and took them to Papeete. On the arrival of tho Taviuni they were plaeod on board the steamer to be conveyed to Auckland.

Champion, on being seen by a " Star " representative, stated that he and Maynard were members of the crew of the barque Lord Templeton, which left Newcastle on April 13th last for Honolulu. Fights and quarrels were not, he says, infrequent on tho 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 tln> s!iip in one of the boats. Provisions, t'unii tin" of a keg of water and a few biscuits were placed in a small boat, and .selecting a favorable night the two adventurers lowered the boat and pushed ofE from the ship s side. Their escape was immediately noticed and the ship was put about, the intention being to over, t-.ika the little boat. The wind at the time was very light and after chasing the deserters for a little while, the Lord Templeton was again put on her course for Honolulu.