Amador ledger., 1906-10-05
The Shanghaied Cowboys
[Original.1

been In many disturbances of the
peace and had arrested many despera-
does. His weapons were, first, his cool
ness; second, his quick and certain
aim with his revolver. A banker once.
desiring to send some gold dust to
San Francisco, put it in charge of
Jake and four others of the same kind,
knowing that 1t would be safely trans
ported. The dust was duly turned in,
and the guard determined to do the
town.
This was before San Francisco was
visited by the great earthquake and
t1re, and there was q deal to be seen
there. What a cowboy would be in
terested in was not palatial residences
or libraries or scientific institutions.
The party was rather inclined to sam
pie the product of corn and rye dis
titled into whisky and after three
days bout sank to sleep in a gin mill
near the bay.
The ship Sarah Rose was sailing out
of San Francisco bay, the rising sun
shining on her stern. The captain, a
short, thickset, ugly looking man,
walked the quarter deck, getting her
out of the harbor as best he could with
three or four miserable looking men
who knew very little about seamen's
work. The truth is that Captain Bar
ker was such a fiendish tyrant that the
only way he could get a crew was to
take what he could find in places fire.
quented by sailors, get them drunk,
carry them aboard and sail before they
got sober,
"Mr. Hale" he said to the first mate,
''get 'em up"
Mr.. Hale commenced the rousing of
dozen or more men who were lying
on deck by kicking them, each kick
accompanied by an oath. When reused
they would open their eyes, at first
stupidity, but, seeing themselves at sea,
would exhibit great surprise. After
much effort they were all aroused and
lined up on the deck for inspection.
You're a fine looking lot of lubbers
to ship for able seamen," growled the
mate. "And you fellers over on the
end O. the line, 1 reckon the only ship
you ever sailed in was a prairie
schooner"
you're dead right" said one of the
men last addressed, "but we'd like to
learn the trade-at least some Of us
would-if you'll give us a chance"
you'll have chance, and If you
don't make the best of it you'll learn
seamanship at the ropes end"
With the second mate the first chose
two watches and the lot were ordered
forard. 1t was not ten minutes be-
fore the man who had spoken for
''the end Of the line" walked forward.
He was followed at different distances
by four others. The mate ordered
him back, but the man paid no atten-
ton to the order. The mate seized a
Delaying pin and rushed at the mutt
nous sailor with it raised high. There
was a report, and the Delaying pin
dropped on the deck. The mate had
been shot through the wrist.
The first mutineer passed on, and
the next appeared before the mate, or.
dering him to throw up his hands, at
the same time showing an enormous
revolver up against his nose. The
first man when within twenty feet of
the captain shot off his right ear. The
captain pulled pistol, but the mutt
neer dropped it on the deck with a
bullet before it could be fired.
do you know" roared the captain,
'that this is mutiny, and mutiny is
punished by hanging?"
Il know that you drugged me and
my men when we were celebratin' and
brought US off ON to this ship against
our will"
The second mate was below with
half a dozen men, the only regular
crew on the Sarah Rose, and depended
on by the officers to enforce orders.
They were lot of desperadoes, but
were well treated and we'll paid. Two
Of the lend of the line" men were at
the forecastle gangway. AS the mate,
who on hearing the shots had rushed
for'ard, ran up the gangway he found
himself pinned below by a cover that
had been put over the opening He
ran aft, calling to his men and reach
ing the after gangway, and saw man
leaning over it with a revolver 1t eX-
ploded, and the mates cap followed
the ball. The men below drew back.
Then a cover was run over the gang
way and battened down. This left
only the captain, the first mate and the
few men who had been working out
the vessel to oppose the five who had
taken possession of the ship. Only the
latter were armed.
Gap" said the leader, 81 venture to
introduce myself as Jacob Russ, COM
monty called by those who love me for
my gentle disposition Arizona Jake.
AS tole you, me and my friends would
like to learn navigatin', and We'll teach
you how to treat respectable citizens in
accordance with the law of the land.
What trail do you follow, cap?"
The captain hesitating to reply, Jake
tipped the end of his nose with bullet,
whereupon he admitted that he was
bound for Puget sound.
81 think we'd prefer a short trip
southwark. You might land US somers
about Santa Cruz"
The captain required little more
gentle coercing before he made up his
mind that the only course left him was
to get rid Of the tartars he had caught
on the best possible terms. So it was
agreed that he would run the ship to
Santa Cruz, using the men he had on
deck, who were to work under the re-
volvers Of the mutineers. Under fair
wind and good weather the Sarah