The Washington times., 1904-10-02

Bob" 0IcAUister. commission mer--
chant, whose boats had been frequently
captured. McAllister threw up his hands
in amaZement when he saw him walking
along the wharyes entirely alone.
MY God. Burtis,'' he exclaimed. dent
you know better than go around here by
yourseif2 There are dozens OF the boys
who have sworn to drop you the first
time they caught you away from your
crowd"
Burtis drew aside his coat tails and
exhibited a pair Of formidable rev0lvers.
IN give them a run for their money
he said.
McAIHster insisted on accompanying
him through the section he considered
most dangerous. There was cutie a
warm friendship existing between the
men In spite Of the fact that their in
terests olashed. Burtis had always been
well disposed toward the commission
man. and on one occasion had allowed
him 10 ransom a boat worth s.. 00G Tor
the small sum OF So
Observed Legal Formalities.
Although the men who captured the
dredgers were allowed 70 dictate the
amount OF ransom, the actual formaIi-
ties were always. or nearly always. con-
Quoted through the States attorney, who
complied with IN the negotiations. Then.
as now. the penalty OF the law included
q fine that went 10 the support OF the
oyster fund and this amount would have
10 be deducted from both ransoms and
sales before the profits could be dis
tributed
The oyster season OF 1SsS-S9 was opened
with gloomy prospects before the IeEit-
innate oyster fishers as well as the Mary
land Oyster Navy. The unlicensed dredg-
ers had the situation wei IN hand. They
were a determined and lawIess set OF
men and openly dehed the authority OF
the State and held the navy in SUI
preme contempt Nearly all the large
dredging boats carried Winchester rides
and smaller firearms. Flushed with a
hundred victories over the States boats
they would violate the law openly and
welcomed a fight at any time.
The situation became worse and worse
until the daring and bravado Of the PIE
rates broke all bounds. They crowned
their defiance OF authority by capturing
the Gloome, an armed sl0op named after
Governor James Black Gloome. as shs
lay at anchor near the mouth OF the
Little Choptank River.
This boat was detailed 10 watch the
large dredgers and see TO the enforce
ment OF the Gull law. at the same time
keeping a lookout for any unlicensed
dredging or night work. There had been
extensive depreciation committed in the
small rivers and bays and the GIooms.
being a light saiIer, and drawing very
little water was in the habit OF patrol
ing the inland waters.
Cruiser Boarded by Pirates.
She sailed up Slaughter Greek one
night and after cruising about for some
time. dropped anchor at Taylor's Island
Bridge. During the night she was
boarded by the pirates, who forced the
crew 20 weigh anchor and work a pas
sage 10 the mouth of the Ch0Dtauk
river When the deep water was reached
the pirates ordered the crew ashore ia
the ships yawI and proceeded 10 dis
mantle the boat.
It was their original Intention TO burn
her and forever end the annoyance and
interruption OF their unlicensed work.
but at the last moment their courage
failed them. Instead. the single cannon
with which she was armed was thrown
overheard into deep water and she was
otherwise stripped and crippled. The
flag OF Maryland was hauled down ana
the captors rOwed ashore 60 their homes
confident that the insult could not be
resented by the oyster navy.
This was the condition OF affairs that