Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-11-15
JACKIES ASHORE.
How They Saved Themselves
at Valparaiso.
by A UNITED STATES
JACK TAR.
&c 90 - 60 -

heartily tired OF the dull monotony Of
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
y in so Ifeless a port as Monterey was
then.
In places Of so great resort for men
of-war 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 hnrbor, and the cause Of it
formed a topic for general conversation
among the men. But I'm Monterey bay
there were none Of these t%hings-no
bumboats, no strange vessels coming i'm
or going out, nothing TO see or to do or
70 think about.
a more tedious life than ours could
not therefore well be. This experience
was that Of all the crew. not excepting
even the officers. and heartily glad
were we when it began to be whispered
about that our sailing day was not far
distant.
The boatswain's hoarse summons to
.''ail hands up anchor for the United
States was received with three cheers.
The capstan bar few around, the m
chors were quickly at the bows and the
topsails shceted home and hoisted. and
as the ships head swung TO the breeze
we manned the rigging and gave three
afr,~. 4Hroo ,baowg ,rbf,I rr-,~. ,t,rIfr1-
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 a 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 It was with a
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 n 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 It 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 AZ 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 of 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 n days grace was given
them IN which TO render themselves up.
Scarcely a man ayalled himself Of this,
those who still remained having organ
ICED themselves into n band determined
10 resist any attempt at n forclble 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
~vleilantes ashore that 20 shillings re.
ward would be paid for every man OF
the crew returned Oh board.
Several who had carelessly strayed
about town were brought aboard In the
course OF the day. the reward for theft
capture coming. Of course. as II always
did IN such cases. out Of their Owf
pockets.
The third day came. and now the re
ward for each man taken was raised e
40 shilllngs. This set tie entire poles
force Of Valparaiso agog. as II wai
known that there were still nearly 10l
men ashore. and the reward for thei
capture would prove a neat little sum
The tars by this time had had thei
spree u and were quite willing TO re
turn on board, but not rs captives and
worse yet. with the prospect Of payinI
FOR their own capture. The vigilantei
however. were unwilling TO allow thei
prey 20 escape so easily and refused I
let them go except as prisoners.
"Weil." said one Of the party whe
this news had been brought 10 them b
q few Of their number who had beer {
bold a parley With the police. III the
want as let 'em come and get Us an
a. as be ready for EN- boys. for "
must get aboard today somehow"
All hands now armed. some havln