The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-11-29
The Alaska Pirate
BY Charles E. BrimblecOm.


rived in San Francisco seeking my
fortune. For many days vainly asked
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, and my 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 a large building
the words: Detective Agency" A
brilliant thought came to me, putting
to fight my temporary discourage
ment.
climbed two flights of stairs and
arrived at a glass door, on which was
Inscribed: 'Chief's Office. Walk In" l
entered A short man with gray mus
tache stood beside large Office desk.
He looked at me inquiringly.
Il wish to see the Chief" I said.
"What do you want to see him for?"
he asked. with perceptible Irish ac-
cent.
Il would like to get employment as
detective" 1 replied.
'1'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 handy knowledge
Of gun fighting to be detective"
Il wish you'd try me, SIR I said,
courageously. 'Tm young, but I can
learn
"True enough" he assented. "Well.
don't mind giving you little trial.
: Are you willing to take your life in
your hand, me boy?"
"Yes, sir" answered, seriously, try
ing to avoid turning pale.
"Very WE'LL" he said. approvingly.
Now, of course, you've heard all about
The Kondike 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?
Il suspect that there's bloody band
OF pirates fitting out an expedition
night here in San Francisco for the
purpose OF capturing some of those
steamers. want you to go 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'll be
found floating in the bay tomorrow.
Goodby, and good luck to YOU"
! walked along the wharves very
Mucn on the alert. l examined two
vessels that were loading for the north
out everything about them seemed
honest and commonplace. / continued
ny patrol, and at last, at a small, re-
note wharf, I found a steam schooner
oound for Alaska. Her name was the
vaufy, and l learned that she was to
al that very afternoon.
something about the craft. do moi
NOW why, aroused my suspicious
$50 aae sailors were as busy as ants load
provisions and stores. approached
sau trled to engage one of them in
oansersation, but he repulsed me in &
@ .aae and surly manner. A large new
0 esckhouse had been built on the
1nooner. evidently to accommodate tt
|1 1ss Aulte number of men.
@z5s .sen at that retired place there were
#S lew 1dlers gazing and gossiping.
olned them, and sat down on an over
med boat, determined to wa:cI
ything that occurred. The frs
rmatlon to my suspicious cam,
two roughly dressed men wht
Auied near me.
Aney say the Gayfy is going to Cop
s river said one, with a kind O
They can tell that to tn,
nfines."
aW.' replied his companion. "Sh,
too much water. She couldn
within 20 miles of the mouth
sasaa hour or two some heavy case;