The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-02-19
THE TARS ON SHORE.

1t happened in the forties. We were
heartily tired of the dull monotony Of
our California life ere we had been il
Monterey three months. To be confined
on board ship in harbor is wearisome
enough at any time, but more especially
in so Lfeless port as Monterey was
then.
In places of so great resort for men-of.
war as Rio or Valparaiso various little
incidents kept the mind excited and
caused time to pass quickly if not pleas
antly.
At different times some saluting took
place in the harbor. and the cause of it
formed topic for general conversation
among the men. But in Monterey bay
there were none of these things-no
b bumboats, no strange vessels coming in
or going out, nothing to see or to do or
to think about.
A more tedious life than ours could
not therefore well be. This experience
was that of all the crew. not excepting
even the officers. and heartily glad were
we when it began to be whispered about
that our sailing day was not far distant.
The boatswains hoarse summons to
"all hands up anchor for the United
States" was received with three cheers.
The capstan bars flew around, the anchors
were quickly at the bows and the top
sails sheeted home and hoisted. and as
the ships head swung to the breeze we
manned the rigging and gave three times
three cheers. which were cordially re-
turned by the crews of some half dozen
men-of-war then in port.
With favoring winds all the way, not
being detained by the usual calm in
crossing the line, we arrived. after a
forty-six days RIM. at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given run on
shore-a privilege of which we were not
sorry to avail ourselves.
AS homeward Founders wo were
looked up to ashore and among the crews
OF the other men-of-war in the harbor as
fortunate beings. and it was with feel
ing of pity that we looked down upon
the poor fellows who were doomed to
pass another year'or two upon 1.-THE sta
ton" and presumed not little upon our
superior fortune.
The ships company was divided into
four shore parties, each division being
allowed three days liberty.
1t was usual to make the division
in such cases by watches or quarter
watches. but in this case it was made
up from good behavior book kept by
the captain and commander, those whose
names stood highest on this being per-
mitted to go first on shore, while those
whose previous conduct had placed them
lower were. reserved for the last party. |
Among this last party were of course
included all tho worst drunkards and !
wild fellows, and as often happens at |
sea, those whose characters for sobriety
and general orderliness of behavior stood
lowest on the captains book were at the
same time the smartest mon in the ship,
the very best seamen.
Having no liberty men to follow them
this last party determined upon having
q grand spree, and agreed not to come
off to the ship until they were fairly
driven on board. Accordingly, when
their allotted three days were out, but
very few came off; the rest slowing
themselves away where there was every
thing which sailors heart desires,
awaited the turn of events. Such action
was hardly prepared for on board, and
1ne days grace was given them in which
20 render themselves up. Scarcely a
nan availed himself of this, those who
IT'LL remained having organized them
selves into band determined to resist
my attempt at forcible capture and to
.eturn on board voluntarily when they
had their spree out.
The second day after the expiration of
heir liberty notice was given the vigi-
antes ashore that twenty shillings re-
ward would be paid for every man Of
he crew returned on board.
Several who had carelessly strayed
bout town were brought aboard in the
course of the day, the reward for their
capture coming of course, as it always
lid in such cases, out of their own
,ockets.
The third day came, and now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised to I
orty shillings. This set the entire po- S
ice force of Valparaiso agog, as it was
,nown that there were still nearly 100 a
men ashore, and the reward for their e
apture would prove neat little sum .
The tars by this time had had their spree :
mt and were quite willing to return on !;
,oard, but not as captives. and, worse &
.et, with the prospect of paying for i
heir own capture. The vigilantes, how Ii
yer, were unwilling to allow their prey v
o escape so easily, and refused to let ;
hem go except as prisoners. b
"Well." said one of the party when
his news had been brought to them by
few of their number who had been to =
old a parley with the police, "if they A.,
rant us let 'em come and get us, and
II us be ready for EN-, boys, for we n
aust get aboard today somehow" o o
All hands now armed, some having Al