Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-01

ItAFlsA ~ 6iffsAis S4-l-N
n.n1 to gain their shore legs, after n long
voyage OF Il3 days from Borneo. by their
stories of sea life thUy aroused "a great deal
Of interest on the part of young Hacrtig,
ana ne thought that his sailor friends were
the whole thing. Eventually one old fiat
foot with tar under his finger nails took
hitch in his trousers and suggested that
they tack up the street and find a harbor
which would require no soundings to en-
te-. The gang rolled up the thOroughfaro
and threw out sheet anchor in typical
sailors resort and lodging house. 1t was
but n short time before they were in tho
happiest OF spirits. In the midst of u jolly
discussion OF the jGIiciness of salt horse the
door suddenly opened, n man walked in,
singled out young Haertig and placed him
under arrest, saying that he was officer
of the law. Tho tars wanted to mix it up
with the bogus officer and rescue their
frightened young companion, but Were
called of by the bartender, who requested
them not to lay violent hands on the off
Ger because of the persecution which his
employer would be subjected to thereafter
at the hands of the police.
Haertig accompanied the alleged officer,
but oven to this day the young man does
not know where ne really went. AS the
two were PASSING . dark place Haertig re-
ceived "A stunning blow on the head from
behind and sank TO the ground uncon-
scious Hc was bound with n rope and
placed in a hack, which went on a gallop to
the docks Haertic awOke with IA splitting
headache amid strange surroundings. He
could hear tho c-eaking of block and
tackle. hurryinR footsteps on deck, deep,
IuelIifiuous curses and orders roarcd out in
a harsh voice. Il vas in a little, ill smell
Ing room that s,~'llcd strongly of grease
and tobacco srnC.. \ tin lamp was sus-
pended from the O. ling. Around the room
were scattered the kits of sailors In the
center was "a tai. Uttered with dirty dish
es All of these -cumstances, connected
with IA pitching l--JUion, which impaired a
peculiar feeling t. young HaertiK's stom
ach, convinced him that he really was ut
sea He Boon found that ho had been inn
pressed into service rs n seaman by the
process known as "shanghaing."
Tho ship was a whaler. bound for the
Bering sea. When IL was discovered that
Haertig had rec red his senses, he was
taken ON deck. TIE captain, stocky built
man. stood leaning on the taffrail, with
both hands plunged deep in the capacious
pockets of his SOU ester.
Haertig did foolish thing. He boldly
asked the skipper what he intended to do
with him. The captain looked ut him long
and earnestly.
well. sink my tarry wig, what do you
want to know for It's mono Of your bust
ness"
We'll, 1t is some of my business"
shades of Davy Jones, of all the fresh
est young men you arc the freshest! l IN
going 10 give you pink tea. y
With this remark the shippers big list
shot ont, landing on Haertig's jaw, send
ing him to the deck. He picked him mp
by the collar, gave him few whirls,
marched him to the fo'cas'l e and presented
him with heavy kick, which sent him
below like n shot. The mate was called
by the captain and ordered 20 conflne the !
young man. He was clapped in irons and |
fed on crackers and water for few days. |
When he was released, he was put through !
the spouts- He showed such adapta- |
bility in mastering his duties that even the 1
captain thanked and complimented him. |
But the blow still ranked and Haertig de- !
terIuined TO desert the ship at tho first op-
portunity One cold, clear day the I
stanch little craft was scuddinG before a .
sits breeze the whole crew was electrified
By a shout from the lookout.
There she blOwsr
What pointg' beloved the captain.
Little nor by no-'easti Sperm - re
sponded the lookout. In an instant all
was well regulated excitement. Two boats
were launched in a jiffy. The men bent
u their oars with viii, and the boats
fairly leaped through the water in the
chase The whale, which was a mile or
two away, was cutting some antics. He
caught sight of the boats and dived, but
came up and bowed defiantly about a
mile from the original position In the
bow OF the boat Of which Haertig was an