Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-10-18
The Alaska Pirate
BY Charles L. BrimblecOm.

Il TlNeu IN San Francisco seeking my
fortune. For many days l 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
10 shrink alarmingly. andlmy gorgeous
dreams % 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 flight my temporary discourage
ment.
climbed two flights Of stairs and
arrived 1T a glass door, on which WAS
inscribed: Chiefs Office Walk In |
entered \ short man with gray mus
tache stood beside a large office desk.
He looked at me inquringly
81 wish to see the chief" | said.
What do YOU want 10 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 detective"
Il wish you'd try me, SIR" said,
courageously. I'm young. but can
learn
'True enough" he as>ented. We'll.
| 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 god 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 ,and. and thyre are pirates on
the sea. and what finer haul for 4
pirate. do YOU think. thar one of those
Alaska steamers loaded down with
gold dust ard nuggets?
81 suspect that there's a 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. ard all about it. One
false move and likely as not you'll be
found floating in the bay tomorrow.
Good-by. and good luck 10 YOU"
walked along the wharveS very
much on he alert. | examined two
vessels that were loading for the north,
but every thing about them seemed
honest and commonplace. continued
my patrol. and al last al small re
mote wharf. found a steam schooner
bound for Alaska Her name was the
Gadfly, and | learned that she was 10
sail hat 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 repu,seG me in a
rude and surly manner. \ large new
deckhouse had been built on the
schooner, evidently to accommodate
quite number Of men.
Even at that retired place ihere We're
a few idlers gazing and gos,iping. |
joined them. and sat down on an over
turned boat, determined 10 watch
everything that occurred. The first
10 oil, t,,If.
from two roughly dressed men who
paused rear me.
They say he Cavity is going TO Cop
per river" said one. with Kind Of
sheer. They can tel that TO the
marines"
Nav replied his companion. she
draws too much wafer. She couldn't
git within 20 miles Of the mouth"
In IN hour or two some heavy eases
were brought down and carefully
hoistcd on board They were marked
Mining Machinery" but from their
appearance ! suspected hat they con
tain ed cannon.
Among the pas enger~ I sa~ a boy
about NY own age. lie wore u fur cap
and "a heavy WOODEN coat 81 Arctic cut
IL carried rifle 81 his shoulder and
big revolver and shcathknife In his belt
A large shaggy black dce kept al his
heels
several times one of NE officers had
come on tho wharf and looked M to-
ward the city withanairof Impotence.
! resolved - wait until discovered