Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-10-26
The Alaska Pirate
BY Charles Z. Brimblecom.

fortune. For many days vainly asked
for employment as 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 large building
the words: detective Agency" A
brilliant thought came to me, putting
TO fight 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 a large Office desk.
He looked at me inquiringly.
81 wish to see the chief" l said.
"What do you want to see him for?'
he asked, with perceptible Irish ac-
cent.
81 would like to get employment as
q detective" 1 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 detective
81 wish you'd try me, sir" l said,
courage ously. I'm young, but can
learn"
"True enough" he assented. "Well,
I don't mind giving you a 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.
snow, 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 go out and
discover them IL you can. Find out
where their vessel is and how big a
crew she carries, and all about 1t. One
false move. and likely as not you'll be
found floating in the bay tomorrow.
Good-by, and good luck to you"
much on the alert. / examined two
vessels that were loading for the north,
but everything about them seemed
honest and commonplace. j continued
my patrol, and at last. at small, re-
mote wharf, / found 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 not
know why, aroused my suspicious.
The sailors were as busy as ants load
provisions and stores. approached
and tried to engage one of them in
conversation, but he repulsedl me in a
rude and surly manner. A large new
deckhouse had been built on the
quite number of men.
Even at that retired place there were
few idlers gazing and gossiping.
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 who
paused near me.
"They say the Gayfy is going to Cop
per river" said one, with a kind of
sneer, "They can tell that to the
marines"
"Naw!" replied his companion. "She
draws too much water. She couldn' t
git within 30 miles of the mouth"
In an hour or two some heavy cases
were brought down and carefully
hoisted on board. They were marked
"Mining Machinery" but from their
appearance suspected that they con-
tanned cannon.
Among the passengers i saw boy
about my own age. He wore fur caI
and heavy woolen coat of Arctic cut
He carried rifle on his shoulder. and q
big revolver and sheathknife in his belt
A large shaggy black dog kept at hi.
heels.
Several times one of the officers ha6
come on the wharf and looked up to
ward the city with an air of impatience
/ resolved to wait until l discovered
what this person or thing was.
Between 10 and IL o'clock a heavy
truck came rolling ponderously dowr
the wharf. 1t was loaded with large
barre.s, about 30 of them. / heard
sharp. suppressed orders on the Cad
fly, and instantly the sailors swarme6
out on the wharf and began to unload
the barrels and roll them on boar6
with every appearance OF apprehen
sive haste, urged on by the profant
mate. In my eagerness / walked boldly
among them.
what is in those barrels?" / asked {
perspiring sailor.
"Gunpowder, sonny" he growled, a.