Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-02-04
For the Public Ledger.l
RECOLLECTIONS
OF THE
SANDWICH ISLANDS
BY GEORGE W. GIFT.


AS matter Of course, such things as
the last created special teud between
our crew and the police. l say a "spe-
cisl feud, because general one always
exists between Jack and the police. He
thinks constables are created especially
to curtail his enjoyments. to lodge him
in damp stations, TO wake up with a
swelled head and parched and burning
mouth, when he might have lolled in
sweet repose on the pavement or in the
gutter, and walked up to take fresh nip
and 90 on another drunk What a de-
privation. On the forecastle the two
rival bullies of our ship were stationed.
One was captain of the port watch and
the other a seaman. Kennedy was the
first, an Englishman from Dublin, and
the other was Frenehman. Both were
heavy weights, both we're renowned for
their strength and activity, pluck and
endurance, and each aspired to Le cham
pion of the big ship. The thing had
been brewing long time and had to be
fought out the first time they touched
terra frma together. Kennedy had a
boy under his protection, and the French
man boxed his ears a few days before we
got to this anchorage, which was an in.
suit nothing but a blackened "peeper,p
broken smeller or ruptured mug ="
would atone. The time came and they
went ashore together. Both men had
friends, and it was arranged that the
fight should come off in public soon after
getting on shore, and before the men
should get drunk. 1t never occurred to
them that prize fight would not be per-
mitted; so the ring was made IN one OF
the principal streets and the men put IN,
but before the fighting commenced 1T
was moved that all hands adjourn to a
neighboring tavern and take friendly
drink-the fighters excepted. This left
the complaints alone, and as Kennedy
believed that he could lick his man
easily, and would be able to administer
a larger amount of it if they were alone
than if they had seoondG, and battled
under the rules Of the p. r., therefore
he pitched in rough and tumble, and
sure enough he was right. Though the
Frenchman was the heavier and could
lift greater weights and perform other
things of that sort best, yet he had not
been taught the noble art OF self-defense,
which our NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. knew to
nerfection, and had in addition gradu-
ated with the b'hoys of New York. The
affair was soon over and the poor
Frenchman was carried away on door,
and did not get his natural countenance
for ever so long. But Kennedy trouble
did not end with this fight, for the valiant
marshal, who ! belieye, they called
"prefect," appeared with q force OF his
men to arrest the rioters and lodge
them in the fort. To Tom this was
gloomy outlook. He had not been
drunk for more than a year, and when
the opportunity offered he was about to
be locked up, and for matter which
could in nOwise concern or Interest those
people. He would fight first, and being
i'peeled" and ready for that business
and an extra good hand at it, he squared
himself and defed the force of the
kingdom. 1t so happened that there
was narrow alley near by where the
hattie had been pitched, with walls OF
stone on each side four or hye feet
bioh. It was wide enough to allow our
champion full and fair play, but not so
wide that an enemy could pass to his
rear. Into this he retreated, hoping,
nrobably. that his shipmates would get
through with their drink and come to
the rescue. It was depidsdly Q case OF
might or Blucher." Slowly ne backed,
warily observing the enemy and warn
ing the marshal that he did not wish to
hurt him. That officer commanded ms
men to lay hold, but Kennedy bold
front and reoolleotions OF encounters
with similar mastiffs probably deferred
those Kikos from obeying. Finally the
marshal thought he saw an opportunity,
and sprang forward with the purpose to
grapple with his foe. Little did he
know of his man. Before you could
wink Tom lifted him by the nape OF the
neck and seat Of the trousers clear over
the wall and dropped him on the other
side. But this was the signal for hos
tilities. The attack BY the marshal was
seconded by his assistants who rushed
in to pinion and secure their yctim;;
Not so, however, for as soon as he had
cleared himself Of the marshal he sprang
back to get room, and striking out night
and left, was soon master OF the ground.
Knocking a big native down at every
blow Of his Est and his blows came as
quick as those Of the blacksmith's ham
mer, and as fast as they got up they
were knocked down again. This getting
up and falling down occurred sufficiently
often 70 teach the benefciaries wisdom
enough 10 stay down. Tom had