San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-07
A NIGHT ON A LAWLESS COAST.
BY EDWIN L. SHUMAN.

Yep Gimme a lamie"
A lame ?" | gasped WHAT'S it like2"
Dunno what lamie isl" exclaimed the
fisherman grinning from ear to ear. why,
hump-backed salmon could keep store better
than that. Thems amies under yer nose, there"
He pointed to n bale of what had taken for
brown blankets. They were heavy overshirts,
worn by the fishermen in lieu of ovcrcoars
Got any whisky?" my customer inquired
confdentially, as he turned to go.
No; the superintendent says none is TO be
allowed in the camp"
The man turned away with an ncredulous
look heard him announce TO his companions
up stairs that the store keeper are tender
foot an dunno lame from fsh-pcw"
"Gmme singet" said Jim Murphy, as he
came slouChing into the store little later
had no more idea Of a siugIet than oc-of a
fish-pew for instance but was learning dis
erection apace.
A Snget? | haven't had time to find out
where thugs are yet | don't sec the sing
let's"
Sure, it's right under yer hand they are
said he, pointing to pile of wooden under
shirts.
" Oh, yes Of course. What size ?"
lie took the biggest in the store, as did all
the purchasers that came ser him, regardless
Of build
Say, let's have taste of whisky" said he
with meaning lcer.
Dng-a-lingl The big triangle that served as
supper-bell came to my rescue. This sound
I,l =
Newfoundland dogs to bowling like fog-horns,
and it stampeded all hands to the long, low
dining room like regiment of wild horses
They were a motley crowd, gathered from
earths odd corners with rubber boots that
came almost to their waists, soled lamies,
grimy faces, dsheveled locks, and dirty hands
Charlie and | sat down with them
Everything was on the table except the tea
and coffee, and the native waiter-boy went
around with two immense tin kettles singing
4" Coffee! chat COffeel chai!"
Everybody grabbed for himself and as / was
not accustomed to that style Of table service
did not fare any too sumptuOusly. While we
were eating, the China boss quietly entered
and took his seat at the table
The Chinese gang, who operated the cannery,
were quartered separately from the fishermen in
the China house" They boarded themselves
there at their own expense-all except the fore
man, Mong Ho. He was TO be boarded by the
company and had been assigned by the super
ntendent to the ishermen's mess.
There was a momentary silence then Jim
roared out
:" I'll be horsewhipped afore I'll eat at de same
table wld hown haythen."
Me tool"
" That's what"
>" Fire de WALLER niggerl"
See here" said Mike; WHO tole yez to ate
at this table wild daycent peOple?'
Boss man tellee me all light sttee here"
well, faint all roight to set here, an yez
kin jest tell the boss we amt no dogs, an we
amt a-goin' to set by no Chinys"
Moug rose and looked doubtfully around the
circle of hostile faces for moment; then look
of determination settled about his lips and he
took his seat again without word.
The impiden: monkey I'll teach him.
Jim Murphy grabbed the Celestial by the hair
and dragged him from his seat. But Mong was
not an ordinary Chinaman he had considerable
pluck. Quick as flash his antagonist was laid
on the floor by stunning blow.
Smash himl" Kill de sneakin' theft" The
air was filled with mingled cries and curses as
the men all lcaped to their feet
But before anybody could stop him Mong had
big bread knife in his hand, and there was a
dangerous light in his eyes as he backed toward
the kitchen door. Nobody hindered him as he
made good his retreat to the cook domains.
The yaller-livered Chny dogl DRAWN
knife on a white mani I'll cut his t'roat afore
I'm a day older" muttered Jim through his
clinched teeth as he scrambled to his feet
Hold yer jaw; here comes the boss" was
the friendly warning Of fisherman, as power
fully. built man. with grizzled face and stern eve.
entered the dning-room.
"All hands will turn out at halEpast three in
the morning to surf and run the lighters"
Then, as he turned to go, the superintendent
added: "No drinking ashore here tonight,
remember Irany mans drunk in the morning
and can't surf I'll pack him back to Frisco
aboard the same steamer he came on"
An OminOus mutter went around the room as
the door closed. mo drinkin', hey" grumbled
one Of the men; an he's agoin' to hev his
Tom-an'-Yerry aboard wild de captainl"
We'll buy dat demiyon of sam shoe from
dc Chinys an tap it yoost do same, hey, boys?'
And tap it they did, with vengeance
turned in early, but there was no sleep for me
that night The raters and floor above me
rocked under a bacchanalian dance; the sand
that sifted down into my eyes kept company
with the curses that assaed my ears The
boys were having gay time-uncomf ortably
gay.
Suddenly the pandcmonum upstairs was
still / could hear the voice Of some one ad-
dressing the crowd in a low tone. Loud cries
of approval, instantly suppressed interrupted
the speaker. After pause the tramp of heavy