Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-08-17

chairs, billets of wood, table legs-in
short, anything that came first to hand
and the entire party moved in n solid
body down to Mizzentop. that part Of
their stronghold nearest the Mole.
While consulting what was next to be
done they werenPar being surprised by
a considerable party of diSmOuntcd Wig
ilantes, who. having skirtcd around the
base of the hills, were then advancing
upon their rear. At the same time an
other force appeared in front. and the
party seemed about to be surrounded
"Stck together, boys, and we'll drive
these fellows before us down to the
Mole, and If we reach that we are
safe" said one of the leaders.
No sooner said than done. Without
giving the party approaching their rear
time to catch up the tars charged upon
the company of vigilantcs in front, and.
throwing some down the steep side of
the MizzentOp hill, knocking down 9th
ers and driving the remainder before
them, they fought their way gallantly
down through the narrow street lead
ing to the Mole and reached the plaza
Mt its extremity without serious injury
being done to any Of them.
On reaching the plaza they were
stopped by n multitude of the people
who had cOngregatcd there to witness
the capture Of Jack. Forcing their way
through there and still keeping the Wig
ilantes at bay, they finally made their
way to the water stairs, but there, alas.
there was no boat to receive them. This
was an emergency which had not been
foreseen by our tars, who now saw
themselves caught in n trap-the water
at their backs, the police in front and
flank. But they did not give up. They
asserted their privilege to render them
selves on board without the aid Of the
vigilantes, while the latter demanded
the right to deliver them to their Off
GERS.
Come and take u.s." was again the
cry, and the police and the multitude
closed in upon the little band. charging
upon them with swords and lanccs.
Our fellows, who had intrenchcd them
selves behind some spiles, defended
themselves desperately with stones, Of
which there was n plentiful supply at
hand, and not few Chilean skulls
bore witness to the accuracy of their
aims.
All this passed within plain view Of
us who were on board impatient and
excited witnesses of our shipmates' de-
fcnSc.
As ever and anon a Chilean would
fall victim to some we'll aimed missile
a little subducd shout would go up
from the crowd congrcgatcd upon the
fOrecastle, while n low murmur attend
ed a similar misfortune to one of our
fellows. But now the battle grew ferc-
er. The police, pressed on by the multi
tude behind, charged desperately and
succeeded in dislodging n part of the
sailors, who were driven by main force
off the wharf and into the water.
Some few of these We're fortunate
enough to be picked up by several mer-
chant vessels crews which chanced to
be there, but these rapidly pulled away
from the scene of action. fearful of get
ting their boats stove by some OF the
rocks which soon began to fly. Those
still remaining in the water clung to
spiles and floating timber and were
| there helpless and at the mercy of the
police, who stood above them throwing
pieces of rock upon their heads. The
little band on shore still defended them
selves as best they could and maintain
ed their position behind the timbers.
But a few minutes more and our
boats were at the stairs. and, making a
last mad rush at their assailnnts, our
tars. picking up their wounded, ran
hastily down the stairs, the boats shov-
ed off, and all was over. Those In the
water had Of course been picked up
first. The boats arrived none to soon to
save our men. Many of them were
wounded and several so badly hurt as
to be confined to the sick bay the great
er part of the voyage home. To what
extent the police force Of Valparaiso
was injured in the melee we never
learned, as we sailed the succeeding
morning for Rio, which port was to be
our last this side of home.
SuDerduOu. Talk