The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-08-08
JACKIES ASHORE.
How They Saved Themselves
at Valparaiso.
BY A UNITED STATES
JACK TAR.

our California life ere we had been In
Monterey three months. To be confined
on board ship In harbor is wearisome
enough at any time, but more especial
ly in so lifeless a port as Monterey was
then.
In places Of SO great resort for men
ofwar as Rio and Valparaiso various
little incidents kept the mind excited
and caused time to pass quickly If not
pleasantly.
At different times some saluting took
place in the harbor, and the cause Of it
formed topic for general conversation
among the men. But In Monterey bay
there were none of these things-no
bumboats, no strange vessels coming in
or going out, nothing to see or to do or
to think about.
A more tedious life than ours could
not therefore we'll be. This experience
was that of all the crew, not excepting
even the officers, and heartily glad
were we when 1t began to be whispered
about that our sailing day was not far
distant.
The boatswain's hoarse summons to
'all hands up anchor for the United
States" was received with three cheers.
The capstan bar few around, the an
chors were quickly at the bows and the
topsails sheeted home and hoisted, and
as the ships head swung to the breeze
we manned the rigging and gave three
times three cheers, which were cordial
ly returned by the crews of some half
dozen men-of-war then In port.
With favoring winds all the way not
being detained by the usual calm in
crossing the line, we arrived. after 46
days run, at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given a run on
shore. a privilege of which we were not
sorry to avail ourselves.
AS homeward Founders we were look
ed up to ashore and among the crews
of the other men-of-war in the harbor
as fortunate beings, and 1t was with
feeling of pity that we looked down up
on the poor fellows who were doomed
to pass another year or two upon "the
station" and presumed not little upon
our superior fortune.
The ships company was divided into
four shore parties, each division being
allowed three days liberty.
1t was usual to make the division in
such cases by watches or quarter
watches, but In this case 1t was made
up from a good behavior book kept by
the captain and commander, those
whose names stood highest on this be-
ing permitted to go first on shore, while
those whose previous conduct had plac-
ed them lower were reserved for the
last party. Among this last party were
of course included all the worst drunk
ards and wild fellows, and, as often
happens at sea, those whose characters
for sobriety and general orderliness Of
behavior stood lowest on the captains
book were at the same time the smart
est men in the ship, the very best sea-
men.
Having no liberty men to follow
them, this last party determined upon
having a grand spree and agreed not to
come Off to the ship until they were
fairly driven on board. Accordingly
when their allotted three days were out
but very few came off. The rest, stow
ing themselves away where there was
everything which a sailors heart de-
sires, awaited the turn Of events. Such
action was hardly prepared for on
board, and one days grace was given
them In which TO render themselves up.
Scarcely man availed himself of this,
those who still remained having organ
lied themselves into band determined
to resist any attempt at forcible cap
ture and to return on board voluntarily
when they had their spree out
The second day after the expiration
of their liberty notice was given the
vigilantes ashore that 20 shillings re-
ward would be paid for every man of
the crew returned on board
Several who had carelessly strayed
about town were brought aboard in the
course of the day, the reward for their
capture coming, of course. as it alwa
did in such cases. out of their own
pockets.
The third day came, and now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised to
40 shillings. This set the entire police
force of Valparaiso agog, as 1t was
known that there were still nearly 100
men ashore. and the reward for their
capture would prove a neat little sum.
The tars by this time had had their
spree out and were quite willing to re-
turn on board, but not MS captives and,
worse yet, with the prospect of paying
for their own capture. The yigilantes,
however, were unwilling TO allow their
prey TO escape so easily and refused to
let them go except as prisoners.
WELL" said one of the party when
this news had been brought to them by
few Of their number who had been to
hold a parley with the police. "if they
want US let 'em come and get US and
let US be ready for 'em, boys, for we
must get aboard today somehow"
All hands now armed. some having
shovels, some hammers, others old
chairs. billsts Of wood table legs-in
short, anything that came first to hand
and the entire party moved in solid
body down 30 Mizsentop, that part of
their stronghold nearest the Mole.
While consulting what was next to be
done they were near being surprised by
considerable party of dismounted Wig
ilantss, who. having skirted around the
base Of the hills, were then advancing
upon their rear. At the same time an