A DEADLY STRUGGLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 810, 5 January 1882, Page 3

A DEADLY STRUGGLE.

Theechooner Venture, which arrived at Sydney on Nov. 3, from the Solomon Islands, brought intelligence of another treacherous attack by Natives on the Atlantic, and the narrow escape of Captain Howie, of that vessel, and the crew. On August2, the Atlantic was at Insonby, one of the Solomon group of Islands, also known by the name of Laafa. Early that morning several canoes came off, bringing about 50 or 60 Natives. Many came on deck, accompanied by the chief of the island, a big powerful fellow. After much talk, trade was agreed upon and d istributed. The chief t selected and received a short axe and a long handled knife, which Captain Howie took the precaution of wrapping in paper. After laying them together the chief seemed very friendly, and walked about the deck with Captain HOwie, the other Natives jabbering and gesticulating apparently intently engaged in trade, but wearily watching the movements of their chief. Captain Howie, teakn off his guard for a moment turned his book to look over the side, when in an instant he saw the chief rapidly glide behind him and raise his arm. The captain immediately ducked his head. This saved his life, for the next moment he felt a terrific blow on the shoulder, dealt with the axe he had just before given the chief. The latter uttered a frightful yell, which was immediately answered by by all -the savages, who: rushed at (he crew of the Atlantic. A terrible struggle took place. Captain Howie although wounded, had enough strength left to plunge the b ayonet he had into the body of the chief with whom he was engaged in a deadly struggle. He and the chief grappled each *■ other by the throat, and „C»ptain Howie felt himself falling across the wheel chains, At this moment one of the Kanaka crew, all of whom had knives, plunged his with great force into the body of the chief, but a few moments after fell backwards having received a deep wound in the lower part of the stomach. The blood flowed over the deck, where a deadly struggle w as taking place. Although far outnumbered, the schooner’s crew fought desperately and ultimately drove off the savages, who, when they saw the chief wounded, lost their courage and began to make their escape over the side of the

vessel. In their hurry to get off they left the principal part of the trade behind. Captain Howie saw Rs mate attacked at once by several blacks, but being a strong man and using his; weapon well, he was able to keep them at bay. The mate, ■after, clearing a space round him by fighting, jumped on top of the deck cabin, where lie could freely use his weapon without being held by the arms. He dealt execution among the now; terrified, savages sending a buffet into the body of one who was attacking Captain Howie. After this the latter ‘ seized his own revolver, which hitherto he had been prevented from using, and together with the mate, fired shot after shot at the retreating natives, a large number of whom were hit, and never reached the shore. Captain Howie, after firing his last bullet, which took deadly effect, weighed anchor and proceeded to sea, and two hours after the conclusion of this desperate fight committed the body of the dead Kanaka, the only one of the crew who lost his life in the affray, to the deep.