The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-27

Y " IKE uNQeT SAID the GUS
toms officer. But I'm over the
side I replied, and then I smiled
NJ appreciation Of my power of re-
Il partee You'll find this no laugh
ing matter" continued the guardian OF
our country's commerce. You have vio-
lated the law and my dignity and me and
the United States is goin' to make ii hot
for you"
Possibly the law had been violated, but
not by ME. 1 was as innocent of any
wrong intent as the babe unborn l had
gone out to see big" Ben Clancy.
Chaps" Cannon Ball. Jack Switzer,
The Pirate" McQueeny, The Ratters"
and about a thousand other fellows on
the big transport Sherman before the
quarantine officer had passed on her.
Louis HONG and Billy Britt had gone
with me, and the three of US had mounted
the rope ladder which hung over the
ships side in order to talk with our
friends.
The Swede who had rowed US over
looked up at one of the vessels port
holes, and perceiving 4 copper colored
Filipino there making gorgons eyes at him
had retreated TO the tug in great disorder.
leaving his freight hanging between wind
and water like three barnacIes on a
whitewashed pile.
The boys on deck seeing our position,
reached out and yanked US on board.
Britt and HONG went over the side,
helped by strong hands on their coat
collars 1 was pulled through a port and
arrived inside the transport, not because
I wished to offend the awful dignity that
doth hedge our customs round but be-
cause half dozen soldiers had hold of
my ankles and because my legs are
rather firmly attached to my body. 1t
took me several minutes to catch my
breath after I stood upon 1.-THE deck. 1t
took the officer about half that time to
catch me. Subsequently he lost me just
about as rapidly.
you are under arrest" he reiterated,
land you must come with me-"
I fastened my coat by the only button
that my passage through the port had
left upon it. and with firm tread and
proudly erect head 1 told my captor l
was ready and babe him lead the way.
He took me to the quarterback
where an officer attired in much gold lace
and some whiskers told me that l was
a prisoner but that 1 would be allowed
the freedom of the ship If I did not try
20 escape that evening. l looked at the
lights of the Cliff House that twinkled
like little stars in the dim distance and
at the great stretch of black water that
interviewed, and assured the officer that
I would make no attempt to escape that
evening. On that assurance he removed
my guard and told me 1 might follow my
incIinations anywhere save over the sides
OF the vessel.
During all this time the officers of the
California Regiment had held aloof not
daring to break In upon the examination
Of a prisoner. AS soon, however, as 1
had been released on parole they crowded
around to offer their sympathy and to in
I'll Id
arrest. / told them, and their Indignation
knew no bounds. 1t was chiefly directed
against the boatman who had deserted
my companions and myself at the ships
side. and il would have Jared III with the
heartless Swede If those stern veterans
could have laid hands on him at that
moment.
Notwithstanding the unfortunate cir
cumstances which had brought me to my
present pass-circumstances over which 1
had no control-yet my position was one