The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14
Berestord seized one of the captains arms.

Berestord seized one of the captains arms
with the cry of, "Catch-as-yo n-can, lads"
Hold on minute, boys" exclaimed
Captain TEN, with a twinkle In his eve
Il intend TO throw you all in, one after an
other, and as I've always wanted to duck
one of Vic's boys I'll commence with this
one. In the name of the great American
eagle, here goesp' with which he seized
the Duke under the arms and flung him
into the reservoir. He then started for the
others. but they laughingly scattered and
the fr0lic ended.
The Duke took his involuntary plunge
In the utmost good humor, aud he and
Captain Tom became the jolliest of
friends. Nor old the Duke forget him
after leaving the island. He sent him
magnificent watch and other valuable
keepsakes from The nearest port at which
they could be obtained, and in return re-
ceived photograph of the bath in which
he had been baptized in the name of the
American eagle.
The following circumstance was related
to me by Captain Spencer himself, and is
therefore substantially correct. II oc-
Cured Immediately after the news of the
fall of NckSonrg had reached the islands,
ana when his heart was rent with grief at
an internal strife which threatened the
very life of the republic. He was on his
way from Honolulu to Hllo. Among
the passengers Of the little steamer were
two Australian tourists. In the midst of
others on deck they talked of the rebellion
ID the United States, and agreed in the
opinion that General Grant was a drunk
ard who knew but little or nothing of
military strategy, and that whatever sue
cesSes he had achieved were mainly due
20 the eowardice of his opponents. The
conversation was carried on in a loud tone
and Captain Tom could not help but hear
the most OF it as he walked the deck
Unable 10 control himself he finally
stopped in front of the offending critics,
and politely said:
Gentlemen, YOU have Just been speak
ing Of General Grant in an insulting man
ner, ana | could not help but oYerhear
your conversation"
The persons addressed stared at the
speaker without replying, and the cap
tain continued:
You have referred to General Grant as
military fraud and drunkard. and to the
people OF certain section of the American
republic as towards. General Grant is a
couniryman of mine. and you must apollo
gize."
And what if we refuse?" inquired one
OF them, defantly.
Then l shall throw both of you over
board" was the captains blunt reply and.
drawing out his watch. lie added: al will
give you Just five minutes to do it in"
The tourists began to grow uneasy.
There was something about The captains
bulk and demeanOr that suggested trouble.
One OF them stepped briskly to the pur-
ser's window, and, pointing to Captain
Tom, told him of the threat against his
life, and inquired what kind Of a man he
was.
HE is Captain Tom Spencer" was the
reply, land il he says he'll throw you over
board | guess he'll do it."
but is there no protection for passen-
gers on board ?"
Generally, yes" returned the purser,
who seemed to enjoy the discontinue of
the tourist, but rarely against the pa
trlOtlc freaks of Captain Spencer. Res q
hard man to handle, and would set fire to
the steamer il he was interfered with On
the last trip down he threw a man over
board, and hewed off the ears of two
others"
The tourist returned In trepidation to
his companion. There we're a few wills
peTed words between them, when Captain
Tom announced that just one minute re-
NAMED. Watching the dial for a few sec
onds longer, be replaced the watch in his
pocket. loosened his shirt-c0llar and began
to remove his coat
See here, stranger" said the holder of
the two. rising and throwing MS arm
around deck pillar, 1--WE don't want to have
any Difficulty with you. and since you
seem to be 50 sensitive on lie subject, we
are willing to admit that we spoke hastily
OF General Grant, aud that we believe hin
~ &c an huio anu trustworthy IeaHcr.
And that there is no such thing as
eowardice on either side of Mason and
DlX0n's iine?" added the captain, reliev-
ing himself still further OF his coat
y es; we are even willing to admit that
also was the haSty response.
Now, one thing more" concluded the
captain. If / hear of either of you men
tonlng the name of General Grant while
on board this steamer without taking off
his hat I'll feed you both to the sharksp'
lie tourists were on their way to the
volcano Of Kilanea, but learning that Can
tain Tom resided at Hilo they left the
steamer at LahRina.
An account of the affair got into the
newspapers through some means. and
very friendly letter from General Grant
made Captain Tom the proudest man in
the Hawaiian Kingdom
Thoroughly acquainted with his pecui-
artles. his friends were in the habit of
dropping remarks especially designed to
draw him out. Sitting on the veranda of
the Royal Hawaiian Hotel one evening
with party of friends, the subject of the
Southern rebellion was adroitly intro
duced and the question asked:
u ncle Tom, how large an army of
European soldiers do you think it would
have taken to whip the 10000 men who
marched TO the sea with Sherman ?"
That is not an intelligent question:" re-
piled the captain, for you ought to know
as we'll az do that Sherman's army could
not have been whipped. | have given the
SUBJECT some thought, however, and am
satisfied that it would have taken all the