Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-10-03
NHE TARS ON SHORE.


heartily tired of the dull monotony Of
n,r California life ere we had been in
Monterey three months To be confined
In board ship in harbor is wearisome
enough at any time bat more especially
n 40 lifeless port rs 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
hntly.
AT different times some saluting took
Mace in the harbor and the cause of it
Formed a topic for general conversation
among the men, But in Monterey bay
there were none of these things
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
4 that our bttlllllS Woso AOt lal uiotdIlt
The boatswain's hoarse summons to
.all hands M anchor for the United
States" was r.,, sd 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 run, at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given run on
shore--a 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 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 the 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 men in the ship,
the very best seamen
Having no liberty men to follow them
this last party determined upon having
grand spree, and agreed not to come
Oft to the ship until they We're 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
one days grace was given them in which
TO render themselves up. Scarcely a
man availed himself of this, those who
stlll remained having organized them
selves into band determined to resist
any attempt at IL forcible capture and to
return on board voluntarily when they
mad their spree out
The second day after the expiration of
thelr liberty notice was given the vigi-
lahtes ashore that twenty shillings re-
ward would be paid for every man of
the crew returned on board.
several who had carelessly strayed
about town We're brought aboard in the
course of the day, the reward for their
capture coming of course, as it always
nd in such cases, ont of their own
pockets.
The third day came, and now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised to
forty shillings. This set the entire DO
nee force of Valparaiso agog, as it was
known that there were still nearly 100
men ashore, and the reward for their
capture would prove neat little sum
Inc lars by this time had had their spree
out and were quite willing to return on
ooaro' 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
~ escape so easily, and refused to let
'hen go except as prisoners.
Wen" said one of the party when
'ills news had been brought to them by
rev OF their number who had been to
noio parley with the police, ''if they
want us let EN- come and get us, and
let us be ready for EN-. boys, for we
I'ust get aboard today somehow"
All hands now armed, some having
'noVels' some hammers, others cll
ohairs' billets of wood. table legs-in
snort, anything that came first to hand
Land the entire party moved in Il solid
uooy down to Mizzentop, that part of
Inelr stronghold nearest theNlole. While
consulting what was next to be done
.hey We're near being surprised by con-
siderable party of dismounted vigilantes,
VINO having skirted around the base Of
n .he nils, were then advancing upon
sneir rear. At the same time another
sorce appeared in front, and the party
'eemed about TO be surrounded.
a, ouck together, boys, and we'll drive
tneSe fellows hafora nc 5o,,r, g.. tha