The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-25

out of single piece of pine. He could
build full-Figged ships inside narrow
necked bottles. He could solve mys-
terious puzzles which he said he had
picked up in Hongkong and Calcutta
The ease with which he freed himself
from the so feet of rope, which we
wound around him was wonderful. So
we boys had reason to believe all the
stories which he told OF his 10 years
before the mast"
His vivid account of his hazardous
experiences in the Spanish prison at
Manila has always sInade Manila and
the Philippines seem very familiar TO
me. on Certain voyage around the
Cape OF Good Hope, Ralph had cruel
captain. who, not content with the
usual methods of punishment-scrap-
Ing down the topmaSt, striking the sail
ors with Delaying pins, etc, had given
them a starvation diet. Ralph and his
messmates saw only death before them
unless they could secure nourishing
food. The ships provisions were kept
IN the lazaret at the stern of the boat
joining the cabin. For unarmed men
TO secure it by force Or by eluding the
Vigilant watch on deck in order to
reach that provision box seemed equal
~ impossible. But Ralph had a plan,
and as he was willing TO carry it into
effect, the others were willing to help.
His was no less q scheme than to go
after the provisions by a water route.
A line was fastened to the bob chain,
which in all vessels holds the bow
spirit down to the hull, at the cut
water. This line extended on the wind
ward side 10 the stern. When all was
ready Ralph let himself down into the
water from the boWsprit and slipped
along the line TO the rudder chains,
which ON ali vessels of 80 years ago
made the rudder fast to the stern Thus
In case of being unshipped in storm
it would not be lost. In the Old pattern
vessels with square sterns there were
two windows, for light and air, into the |
cabin. which in those days We're ar |
ranged under the deck.
Hearing no sound within Ralph pull |
ed himself up by the chain to the win
dow Hanging in that perilous position |
for moment, till he could get breath, /
he worked slowly through the window, |
into the cabin, and found the laza a t, |
where the stores We're kept. He could /
hear the watch on deck and the CAP !
tain snoring in his room close at hand. |
This did not hinder his filling the |
gunnysack which he had brought with
him with the choice canned meats and |
other dainties of the ships stores. He
crossed the cabin, squirmed through the
window and let himself into the water
by the rudder chain. Crouching under
the bowsprit at the other end OF the
ship was one of his chums, waiting for
the signal. Ralph tiechiimself and his
load to the line. gave the signal. and
slowly against the aftward pressure of
the water he was drawn TO the bow.
Safely on deck again with his load of
and secure in the forecastle-
how royalty the poor fellows Jared, how
hearty the praise for Ralph and how
rich the jokes at the old captains ex-
pense.
The good things from the lazarer
lasted for some time, and when hunger
again faced them, the trip through the
Nater, under the very eyes of the watch
pa deck, was made safely again And
another load of dainties found their