The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-06
Rum, Rum, Rum.
THE JACK TAR'S DELIGHT.
Square meal annas.
ALI RAMDUGGER, landlord.
Bean brandy one anna peg.

They fed on thirst provoking curry, hot as
flame. They tried to cool their burning
tongues with the fragrant fruit mango
steen, the most luscious comestible in the
world, and ended up by getting gloriously
drunk On the Chinese bean brandy, which
is as fiery as it is cheap. The choicest
brand costs only eight annas quart, and
it has playful way of accomplishing its
vile purpose that is absolutely appalling.
Maryland peach brandy and New Jersey
applejack are mild as new milk compared
with this hellish fluid.
The day after the Blue Rockets crew
had sobered up after their cruise ashore,
the mate came forward and shouted, ''Map
the windlass!' The levers were shipped,
and at the top of his voice the favorite
chantyman began to Tilt out that famous
old sea melody, "Hurrah, nay boys, were
homeward bound" After the anchor was
hove short the blue peter was hoisted and
the foretopsail loosed, signifying that the
ship was going to put to sea shortly.
The captain came aboard in his gig,
pulled by four smart apprentices. The gig
was hoisted up to the davits. The gang
way ladder was unshipped and the skipper
was just about to give orders to sheet
home and hoist the topsails when he no
ticed suspicious looking craft making for
the harbor. He took his telescope, and
after brief observation, exclaimed:
"The Alabama, by thunder"
The famous Confederate craft had been
so accurately described by her victims that
there was no possibility of a mistake.
Haul down that blue peter; furl the
foretopsail and pay out forty five fathoms
- r I +1l0
continued the skipper.
OF course the Alabama wouldn't dare to
attack the Blue Rocket or any other north
ern vessel in British port, so the ship was
as safe as though she was moored to her
dock in the East river, New York.
The Alabama anchored close alongside
the Blue Rocket, which was the only
American ship in the harbor that had her
sails bent. 1t was evident that the Ala
bama had made up her mind to watch her
closely.
Captain Semmes had his boat lowered
and went ashore. Captain Randall fol-
lowed his example. The British merchants
at Singapore had begun to ''sour" on the
Confederate cause; they were becoming
convinced that the northerners were sure
of victory in the end, so Semmes and his
officers were not treated as they expected
by the swell society of Singapore.
Captain Randall happened to meet ashore
the coxswain of Captain Semmes' gig, o
grizzled man with whom he had been ship
mate when young man and who was
under considerable obligation to him
He took the coxswain to his hotel and
they had a long Capitalization together.
The skipper gave him 500 rupees and told
him that he expected to escape from the
Alabama with his assistance. Captain
Randall know what lot of desperadoeS
the crew of the Alabama were, and he de-
vised one of the craftiest plots that ever
came to my knowledge. The Alabama's
men were at that time ripe for desertion,
or even mutiny. Captain Semmes and his
officers were at their wits end to know
how to deal with them. The ship had put
into Singapore to coal and lay about a mile
off the shore with lighters alongside. The
old coxswain had good deal of influence
with the men. He spoke eloquently of the
samshu, or Chinese brandy; he described
the beauty of the native girls and expati-
ated on the home comforts to be found at
Ali Ramdugger's rumshop.
1t all ended as Captain Randall hoped.
The men went aft in body and demanded
liberty. The sample key of brandy had
done it's deadly work. The coxswain had
struggled it aboard at imminent risk. 1t
created thirst for more Liberty was
granted to nearly all the ships company.
They repaired in body to Ali Ramdug
gers, at the sign of "The Jack Tar's De
light" BY an arrangement with Ram
dugger the most fiery brand of samshu
- h. 1oI IN
little while they were all stupid.
That night the Blue Rocket got under
way as noiselessly as possible. OF course
the Alabama was aware of it, but as nearly
all her crew were ashore she could do moth
ing. The northeast moonsoon was blowing
briskly and the Blue Rocket left the har-
Dor behind her in fine shape. AT dawn
provoking calm came on. The sails Slated
against the masts and the vessel rolled
steadily in the blue ocean swell. The pitch
ooZed out of the deck seams and the sun
vas SO hot that the men sought shelter
from its burning rays. The calm continued
for two days.
Early in the morning OF the third day
the smoke of a steamer was seen in the
Blue Rockets wake.
The news soon spread, Here comes the
AlabamaW Great excitement prevailed.
But Captain Randall was nothing if moi
lucky. Flying catspaws were observed
astern. and feecy clouds that had before
seemed stagnant and faccid began To
gather way aud sail across the heavens
The Blue Rockets stunsails were spread
TO WOO the coming breeze, but it was so
light that even the light sails scarcely bel
lied out in response. The men worked like
beavers. The ship was cloud of canvas,
and little ripple under her forefoot
showed that She had just begun to feel the
wind. The yards were trimmed for quar-
tering breeze-the vessels favorite point
of sailing IN light airs-and she soon gath
cred way on her
But every minute the black hull OF the
Alabama grew more and more distinct. II
was evident that she was fast gaining on
the Blue Rocket. The captain strobe the
deck like one possessed. With his own
hand he hOisted the American ensign &c
the monkey gaff. Then he called all hands
aft BE told his crew that he would never
surrender to the ID pirate that was
chasing him. II she came up with him Il
would try 10 sink her. knowing that oZe
OF Donald Mckay's clippers must be lar
stronger than any .'contraption" built IL
Birkenhead
BE piped al hands TO greg. and the boys
gave him three cheers.
Presently Jae Alabama came within
range and opencd sire The stots fe.i
Fiz 49, H.. go -. - a.