The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-04-12

he'll throw a damper on this festive
necktie party"
There was stiff on-shore breeze
and quite heavy sea running. But we
never thought of the danger of swamp
ing as we showed off in the captains
dingey which we found on the beach.
By good luck we got beyond the break
ers, without shipping very much
water, and then it was a long pull and
a strong pull, with the boats bottom
slapping the chop sea till the craft
trembled in every fiber. 1t was pitch
dark into the bargain, and the wind
that blew smacked strongly of eter-
nal SHOWS. But we could see the red
CLEAN of the vessels port light, and
for that we pulled. At last we were
alongside.
Watch ahoyr yelled Charlie, as we
pulled under the stern.
Aye, aye, sir; what's up?' came the
answer.
Call the cannery boss, quick!
There's trouble ashore"
In less than five minutes the super
intendent and foreman were both lean
ing over the bulwarks.
Whats the matter ashore?" 1t was
the superintendent gruff voice.
The fishermen are on a drunk and
have started out to hang the China
boss, sir. He's hid in the store, but
they won't rest till they have him." we
answered.
He muttered something angr1ly be-
tween his teeth and seized a rope
Going to hang my China bossr' cried
the cannery foreman. If have a word
to say on that deal myself. Wait till
l get my Winchester" he added to the
superintendent, who was already bind
ing ropes end to the rail prepar atory
to coming aboard the dingey.
A minute more and we were scudding
toward the shore before the wind A
big breaker deluged us as we struck
the beach, but nobody spoke word.
All was silent and dark around the
buildings, but The glimmer of lantern
was visible against the black base of
the cliff that rose abruptly hundred
yards from the house A confused
murmur of voices came from the spot,
and a frightened gull cried plaintively
in the darkness among the jagged
rocks above.
Quick! or we shall be too late"
whispered the foreman as we sped ST.
lently toward the murderous group.
The outline of ladder was visible now
against the dark wall of rock, beneath
which stood two barrels with board
across their tops A rope hung from
the ladder and swung in the night
breeze, casting its moving shadow on
the gloomy cliff. On the platform stood
a burly form; on the ground, tied hand
and foot, lay poor Mong Ho.
caught the words: Come up here,
you dog" followed by a piercing shrek
as the murderer dragged the Chinaman
upon the platform by the hair, slipped
the dangling moose about his neck, and
leaped to the ground with sneering
laugh:
"All ready, boys" 1t was Jims hoarse
voice.
At that moment the foreman beside
me raised his rifle and shouted:
'The first man that moves from his
tracks gets rifle bullet through him."
There was a sudden pause; then voice
from the group called out:
'Who are you?"
You'll never live to know who we
are if you move a foot" cried the
superintendent in voice that was
instantly recognized, then, addressing
me, he said: go and cut that China.
man loose"
moved forward to obey, when, with
muttered oath, Jim Murphy kicked
the barrel from beneath the doomed
man. At the same moment rifle and
revolver flashed in the darkness and
sent their thunder reverberating along
the rocks. A hoarse groan was mingled
with the screams of frightened sea-
birds on the cliff above. A fox leaped
from among the rocks and sped down
the open beach.
Jim Murphy lay across salmon
barrel-dead.
| cut down the unfortunate China
man, but life was extinct; his neck had
been broken by the fall.
Utter silence fell upon the awed
group surrounding those still forms, a
moment ago SO hostile toward each
other, now lying side by side so peace
fully, alike unmindful of the fiickering
lanterns rays that fell into their wide
eyes. Around us lay the wild, fierce
scenery of Alaskan crags and glaciers
over us the thick darkness, and in our
midst that mightiest mystery-death.
At length the superintendent spoke.
This is a bad beginning" said he,
sadly. Then, after pause, he added
81 suppose we'll have to call it quits
you can go and turn in now" The
men silently obeyed. We were nearly
thousand miles from the nearest
court of justice, at Sitka. The super
intendent had to be law-giver, judge
and eXecutioner on that desolate coast
To try to give up the whole party Of
criminals to justice would mean the
failure of the whole expedition. Sc
the matter was simply dropped.
The Cinnamon buried their dead with
heather rites-sprinkled rice and sam
shoe (gin) on the grave and burned all
the dead mans possessions on the
mound. All the spectators were given
pieces of money wrapped in paper
for good luck.
The fishermen carried their burden tt
tho orraya in Silanca apd b,,r;a1 - ,,;tl,