The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29

--and Jne enI1re party moved In solIo
body down to Mizzentop, that part of
their stronghold nearest the Mole. While
consulting what was next to be done
they were near being surprised by con-
siderable party of dismounted vigilantes,
who, having skirted around the base of
the hills, were then advancing upon
their rear. At the same time another
force appeared in front, and the party
seemed about to be surrounded.
s'Stick together, boys, and we'l drive
these fellows before us down to the
Mole, and if we reach that we are safe,"
, said one of the leaders.
No sooner said than done. Without
giving the party approaching their rear
time to catch up, the tars charged upon
the company of vigilantes in front, and
throwing some down the steep side of
the Mizzentop hill, knocking down 9TH
ers and driving the remainder before
them, they fought their way gallantly
down through the narrow street leading
to the Mole and reached the plaza at its
extremity without serious injury being
done to any of them.
On reaching the plaza they were
stopped by multitude of the people who
had congregated there to witness the
capture of Jack. Forcing their way
through there and still keeping the vigil
lantes at bay, they finally made their
way to the water stairs-but there, alasl
there was no boat to receive them. This
was an emergency which had not been
foreseen by our tars, who now saw them
selves caught in trap-the water at
their backs, the police in front and flank.
But they did not give up. They asserted
their privileges to render themselves on
board without the aid of the vigilantes
while the latter demanded the right to
deliver them to their officers.
s'Come and take u.s. was again the
cry, and the police and the multitude
closed in upon the little band, charging
upon them with swords and lances. Our
fellows, who had intrenched themselves
behind some spiles, defended themselves
desperately with stones, of which there
was a plentiful supply at hand, and not
few CHILEAN skulls bore witness to the
accuracy of their aims.
All this passed within plain view of us
who were on board, impatient and ex-
cited witnesses of our shipmates' defense.
AS ever and anon a Gillian would fall
victim to some well aimed missile lit
tie subdued shout would go up from the
crowd congregated upon the forecastle,
while low murmur attended similar
misfortune to one of our fellows. But
now the battle grew fercer. The police,
pressed on by the multitude behind,
charged desperately and succeeded in
dislodging part of the sailors, who
were driven by main force off the wharf
and into the water.
Some few of these were fortunate
enough to be picked up by several mer-.
chant vessels crews which CHANGED to
be there, but these rapidly pulled away
from the scene of action, fearful of get
ting their boats stove by some of the
rocks which soon began to fly. Those
still remaining in the water chung to
spiles and floating timber, and were
there helpless and at the mercy of the
police, who stood above them throwing
pieces of rock upon their heads. The
little band on shore still defended them
selves as best they could and maintained
their position behind the timbers.
But few minutes more and our boats
were at the stairs, and making last mad
rush at their assailants our tars, picking
up their wounded, ran hastily down the
stairs, the boats showed off, and all was
over. Those in the water had, of course,
been picked up first. The boats arrived
none to soon to save our men. Many of
them were wounded and several SO bad
ly hurt as to be confined to the sick bay
the greater part of the voyage home. To
what extent the police force of Valpa-
raise was injured in the melee we never
learned, as we sailed the succeeding
morning for Rio, which port was to be
our last this side of home-A United
States Jack Tar in New York Recorder.