The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-15
way and threw their collection into the sea.
This they did every morning for q long

way ana threw their collection into tbs sea.
This they did every morning for a long
time.
Finally it became a hard matter to mus
ter with Twenty-Five bugs every morning.
Consequently the number required was re-
duced to twenty; after another lapse OF
time to fifteen; then to ten; then to Ave;
aud finally to three apiece. But long be-
fore this latter number was reached the
bows resortsd to all sorts OF devices to get
their complement OF roaches-for they we'll
knew the penalty hanging over Thorn.
To avoid punishment and preserve their
game each one provided himself with an
empty mustard bottle and cork, and slung
it around his neck inside of his shirt, and
every time no caught a roach he bottled it.
their quota from the bottles, which we:e re-
corked mt returned to their bosoms With
what WAS left over, to be ready for tho next
call.
OF course, by the time the complement
required was reduced to three reaches,
number up So they resorted to 3 device
that p%rospered for sone time before it
was discovered. 1t was this: When they
were marched to the gangway to throw
their bugs into the sea, BY q turn OF the
wrist they threw them into tho main
charms; and when the master-at-arms dis
missed them they quietly, when unob:
Hi 0At law SAW ONWAA0 AA~ R1VAOu
up and returned to their bottles all Of tho
reaches that had lodged there, and this
picking was houornbly divided amongst
the squad for the next mornings count.
The operation, being dangerous aud liable
to bring detection and punishment, was
taken in turn by the boys.
After his had been going on for some
time it was discovered M stopped.
However, they tesorted to another de-
Woe. 1t was customary in port on Sunday
afternoon to ALLOW visiting parties to 40
about among the ships that might be at
anchor in the hnrbor. So one afternoon in
the harbor of Porto Prayn our boys were
allowed to pay q visit to ons of the vessels,
4 topsail schooner and quite Il celebrated
vessel in her day; At this time she was COM
manded by an old Lieutenant who afterward
became an ndniral and Lost his life on the
Asiatic station he commanded at the time.
This officer the next day made a visit to
huff he said: well, T.. you nave a lot Of
the s~tranaest boys in your ship that l ever
saw! Yesterday afternoon they came on
board of my vessel, and as soon as they
vent forward they commenced catching
reaches and putting them III bottles which
they had in their shirt bosonls; they went
through the ship, over and under the boom
covers, hammock nettinus. galley. berth
deck, mess chests and everywhe'e! They
were not still Il minute. Such u %squsbbling
and striving for roaohesI never saw. What
docs it all menn?'
The matter was satisfactorily explained
to him. And the fnct became now nppnr-
ent that ronches in our ship had almost
disappeared, as only occasionally one would
be Observed, when its fate WAS scaled on
sight. For during the remainder of our
cruise those boys had become SO habituated
and expert at catchinR them hat never
afterwArd did a bug cscape. and to all in
tents and purposes the ship was considered
free from them.
No one not shut up in u ship with these
vetmin oan conceive what u great nuisance
theae reaches We're. They would DESTROY
brushes, shoes. binding of books, eat the
toe and finger nails of persons sleeping
down to the quick, and would At times Iive
in such numbers n emit such \ pungsnt
aud penetrating odor as to drive the occu-
pants of the state rooms out.
But the heroic measures described above
answered the purpose. and | have no doubt
but that each of these boys carried with him
ever after a degree Of energy to whatever
vocation he followed that rendered it a
SUCCESS. Certainly, at tho end OF the
cruise thOy were admitted to DO tho smart
est boys i'll tho squadron and several of
them served with ma years aftsrwArd az
petty officers.
will now discuss the question Of rats.
II was in this came ship and same cruise.
We had stopped at Norfolk some time,
which gave the Virginia rats an opportunity
TO come on board and fud quarters, and
when the ship hauled out into the stream
they had to go to sou nolens volens. They
found no objection to the Boston rats al