The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-11-22
The Alaska PiTate
BY Charles Z. BrimbleCOm.
ATE in the summer of 1897 | ar

j 4 rived in San francisco seeking my
fortune. For many days vaindy ask d
for employment as a salesman, book
keeper or bank clerk for | felt cOmpe-
tent for almost anything, having just
graduated from the high school. The
small sum of money possessed began
to shrink alarmingly, andmy gorgeous
dreams to wear sickly and faded hue.
One day while walking one of the
principal streets ! saw in gilt letters on
the upper windows of large building
the words: Detective Agercy." A
brilliant thought came to me, putting
to flight my temporary discourage
ment.
l climbed two flights of stairs and
arrived at glass door, on which was
inscribed: "Chief's Office. Walk In"
entered. A short man with gray mus
tache stood beside large office desk.
He looked at me inquiringly.
81 wish to see the chief" ! said.
what do YOU want to see him for?''
he asked, with a perceptible Irish ac-
cent.
Il would like to get employment as
a detective" replied.
I'm the chief" he said. "But you're
almost too young for the business, me
boy. 1t takes expayrience. and plenty
of sand, and often a handy knowledge
of gun fighting to be a detective
81 wish you'd try me, sir | said
courageously. I'm young, but | can
learn"
True enough" he assented. well.
| don't mind giving you a litt'e trial.
Are you willing to take your life in
your hand, me boy?"
Eyes, sir" | answered, seriously. try
ing to avoid turning pale.
Very we'll" he said, approyingly.
"Now. of course, you've heard all about
the Klondike gold mines. They're very
rich. and the steamers that come from
there are every one of them loaded
with gold-millions and millions Of
dollars. Now. there are train robbers
on the land, and there are pirates on
the sea, and what finer haul for a
pirate, do you think, than one Of those
Alaska steamers loaded down with
gold dust and nuggets?
81 suspect that there's bloody band
of pirates fitting out an expedition
right here in San Francisco for the
purpose of capturing some of those
steamers. | want YOU to 60 out and
discover them if you can. Find out
where their Vessel is and how big a
crew she carries, and all about it,. One
false move, and likely as not you'Il or
found floating in the bay tomorrow
Good-by, and good luck to you
7 walked along the wharves very
much on the alert. / examined tive
vessels that were loading for the north
but everything about them seemed
honest and commonplace. / continued
my patrol, and at Last, at a small, re
mote wharf, | found a steam schooner
bound for Alaska. Her name was the
Gadfy. and | learned that she was To
sail that very afternoon.
Something about the craft, do mo-
know why, aroused my suspicious
The sailors were as busy as ants load.
ingproWsions and stores. approached
and tried to engage one of them in
conversation, but he repulsedl me in a
rude and surly manner 4 large new
deckhouse had been butt on, the
schooner, evidently to accommodate
quite a number Of men
Even at that retired place there were
a few idlers gazing and gossipiro. !
joined them, and sat down on an over
turned boat. determined to watch
everything that occurred. The first
confirmation to my suspicious came
from two roughly dressed men VINO
paused near me.
They say the Gayhy is going to Cop
per river" said one. with a kind OF
sheer. They can tel that to the
marines"
"Naw!' replied his companion. "She
draws too much water. She couldn't
git within 90 mi.es of tire mouth"
In an hour or two somc heavy case
were brought down arb carefr,l,
on board. They were marked
Mining Maehirery." but from 'L~i.
| suspected that they cor
tanned cannon.
Among the passengers saw Re,
about my own age. RI re a fu" ca
and "A heavy wooden ccat Of Arctic Gu:
lie carried rifle on his 1uIdtr. and a
big revolver and sheathkni'- Ia his le''
\ large shaggy Back 4 kept az HI.
heels.
Several times one Of the officers hal
roTe on the wharf and looked up to-
ward the city with an air Of inn, ltiencs
! resolved TO wait until discoveltG
what this person or thing was.
Between 10 and II o'clock Esay,
truck came rolling pondcrously down
the wharf. 1t was loaded with large
barrels. about 30 of them. | heard
sharp, suppressed orders on the Cad
fy, and instantly the sailors swarmed
out on the wharf and began to unload
the barrels and roll them on board
with every appearance OF appre hen
siye haste, urged on by The profane
mate. In my eagerness walked boldly
among them.
What IS in those barrels ?" | asked
perS Dirinp sailor