The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-08-09
JACKIES ASHORE.
How They Saved Themselves
at Valparaiso.
BY A UNITED STATES
JACK TAR.
30 ocoo ocSo ooc0oocooocN


on board ship In harbor is wearIsome
enough at any time, but more especial
ly In so lfeless 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 II not
pleasantly.
AT different times some salutlng took
place I'm the harbor and the cause Of IL
formed topic for general conversation
among the men. But I'm 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 well be. This experience
was that OF all the crew, not excepting
even the officers, and heartily glad
were we when II began TO be whispered
about that our sailing day was not far
distant.
The boatswaln'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 10 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 I'm port.
with favorlng winds all the way. not
being detained by the usual calm In
crossing the line. we arrived. after 40
days run. at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given n run on
shore. privilege of which we were not
sorry to avail ourselves.
As homeward bounders we were look
cd up TO ashore and among the crews
OF the other men-of-war I'm the harbor
M fortunate beings, and II was with n
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 a little upon
our superior fortune.
The ships company was divided into
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 n good behavior book kept by
the captain and commander, those
whose names stood highest on this be-
Ing permitted to 60 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 M sea, those whose characters
for sobricty and general orderllness 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 grand spree and agreed not TO
come OF 10 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 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 n man availed himself of this.
those who still remained having organ
tied themselves into band determined
10 resist any attempt at forcible cap
ture and TO return on board voluntarily
when they had their spree ont.
The second day after the expiration
OF their liberty notice was given the
ylgllantes ashore that 20 shilllngs re-
ward would be paid for every man OF
the crew returned on board.
Several who had carelessly strayed
about town were brought aboard I'm the
course OF the day, the reward for their
capture coming. OF course, as IL always
did I'm such cases. out OF their own
pockets.
The third day came and now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised 10
40 shillings. This set the entire police
force OF Valparaiso agog. as IL was
known that there were still nearly 100
men ashore. and the reward for their
capture would prove n neat little sum.
The tars by this time had had their
spree out and were quite willing TO re-
turn on board. but not as captives and
worse yet, with the prospect OF paying
for their own capture. The vigilantes,
however, were unwilling 10 allow their
prey to escape SO easily and refused TO
let them 60 except rs prisoners.
SWELL" said one Of the party when
this news had been brought to them 10y
few of their number who had been 10
hold n parley with the police, "lf 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 havlue
giving the party approaching their rear
time TO catch up the tars charged upon
the company Of vigilantes In front. and.
throwing some down the steep side OF
the Mlzzentop hill. knocking down 9TH
ers and driving the remainder before
them. they fought their way CALAMITY
down through the narrow street lead
ing 20 the Mole and reached the plaza
at It's extremity without serious injury
being done TO any OF them.
On reaching the plaza they vsse
stopped by n multitude Of the people
who had congregatcd there TO witness
the capture Of Jack. Forcing their way