The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-08
THE TARS ON SHORE.

It happened 10 tho fortfca Wo were
heartily tired Of the dull mon0tony 81
0ur California life ere wo had been Ia
Monterey three months To be confined
on board ship IN barbor b wearisome
enough at any time, but moro especially
IN so lifeless port as Monterey was
then.
In places Of so great resort for men-of.
war as Rio or Valparaiso varions little
incidents kept the mind excited and
caused time to pass quickly II not pleas
antly.
at different times some saiuting took
place in the harbor. and the cause Of II
formed q topic for general conversation
among the men. But in Monterey bay
there were none Of these things no
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 boatswain's hoarse summons to
'.all hands up anchor for the United
States was received with three cheers.
Thecapstan bars flew around the anchors
were quickly at theebows 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 sheers. which were cordially re-
turned by the crews of some half dozen
men-of-war then in port.
With favuring winds all the way, not
being detained by the nsuni calm in
crossing the limo, we arrived, after a
forty-six days run, at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given a run ON
shorea privilege Of which we were not
sorry To avail ourselves.
AS homeward Founders we 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 mother year or two upon 'the sta
ton and presumed not a 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
witches. but in this case it was made
up from good behavior book kept by
the captain and commander, those whose
mitted to 60 first on shore, while thee
whose previous conduct had placed them
lower were reserved for the last party.
Among this last party We're Of course.
included all the worst drunkauls ana
wild fellows, end as often happens al
sea, those whose characters for sobrietv
and general orderliness Of behavior stood
lowest OH the captains book were ut tic
same time the snartest men in the ship,
the very best sealnen.
Having no liberty men to follow them
this last party determined upon having
a grand spree, ami agreed not To como.
of to tho ship until, they wore fairly
driven on board. Accordingly, when
their allotted three days were ont, but
very few came off; the rest slowing
themselves away where therewas every
thing which a sailors heart desires.
awaited the turn Of events Such action
was hardly prepared for on board, and
enc day y grace was given them in which
to render themselves up. Scarcely a
!, man ayailel himself Of this, those who
still remained having organized them
selves into d baad determined to resist
any attempt at a forcibie capture and to
return on board voluntarily when they
had their spree out.
The ssGoad day after the expiration of
Their liberty notice was given the Via
lantes ashore that twenty shiIlings re-
ward would be paid for every man of
the crew returned On board.
Several vsilo had careaessly strayed
aboat town Nqra brought aboard in tie
coprse Of the dtg. tlfe reward for their
CAPTURE coming of course, as it always
did ia, such cases, out Of their own
pockets.
The third day calae, and now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised to
forty shillnlgs This set the entire DO
lice force u Valparaiso agog, as it was
known that there were stiil Nearly 100
men ashore, and the reward for their
capture would prove neat little sum.
The tars by thistime had had their spree
out and We're quite willing to return on
board, but not as captives, and, worse
yet, with the prospect OF paying for
their own capture. The vigilantes, how
ever, were unwilling to allow their prey
to escape so easily and refused to let
them 90 except as prisoners.
.sWell,s said one of the party when
this news had been broughtNto them by
few Of their number who had been t.
hold a parIey with the police, IF they
want Us let 'em come and get US, and
let us be ready for 'em. boys, for w
must get aboard today somehow"
All hands now armed, some having
lhoyels. some hammers. others ole