The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-03-06
! Copyright Ac Asc.srz { Co.. !ss Z
CHAPTER w
In Which 4 Meet My. Crew

HIulHdllOll tHatt u uluhheh' uasai oAa
cer-eyidenty sanchez-had been
there twice already seeking me, had
also asked for Lord Darlington, and
would return again at ten o'clock. I
thanked him, smiling to myself, won
dering II the English nobleman was
to be challenged also. and promptly
disappeared into the night without.
The unfortunate affair with the ag.
grIeyed lieutenant had become a small
matter no longer troubling me.
! have wandered by night through
most Of the seaports Of the world.
knowing well the intrcacles and dark
places OF Port Said. Melbourne and
Calcutta, but ! doubt II even the I'm.
speakable orient can equal for dirt.
squalor, crime and peril those narrow,
crooked alleyways where sailors most
do congregate against the Valparaiso
waterfront, Here gather in bestial
rloting the. scum Of the South seas,
and here flourish their parasites. Any
night a trip alone through those foul
lanes Is OF the kind to test strong
nerves; but on this special occasion,
the way filled with pandenonium and
drunkenness, the entire city Il riot
OF noisy violence. the popnlace aroused
10 fierce hate toward all foreigners,
the passage was one Of constantly re-.
curing danger. The street lights, few
and far between. were mere blotches
Of color winking feebly at the sur.
rounding darkness. the rough cobble.
stone pavement undertoot was irregu.
lar and deceitful, while drunken
crowds, ,elther quarrelsome ( or ma,l.
dinghy aEectionate, snrged aimlessly
about. gesticulating and yelling with
Latin teryor. However, knew Sthe
way well. and kept myself hidden from
observation by lowering close beneath,
the protecting shadows OF the build
ings. drawing well back within door.
ways to permit the noIser parties Of
jewellers 10 pass. and then hurryIng
forward along the deserted streets. I
stumbled over the body OF more than
one. drunken man, while sounds OF
quarrellng were borne. 10 me through
the open door Of every low taproom \
passed. The scum OF Valparaiso had
come to the top. the fires Of hell burn.
Ing fercely. "a, .,'l8 III
Pedro Rodrigues' den stood some.
what buck from the narrow lane 1t
fronted, thanked and concealed by
taller buildings on either side. TWAS
q .ramshackle, wooden affair, sagging
sadly. at one corner. the half dozen
steps leading to the open door being
only dimly lighted. As II was we'll
known resort. frequentcd almost en-.
stfrely by foreign seaflen who would
scarcely be safe on the streets slich
q might as this. 1t was no surprise to
discover the taproom denselE
crowded with sailor.men, and to dis
itingulsh a voice singing Justify In Wig
orous English, TO an accompaniment
OF glasses pounding upon the rough
tables. Indeed n Wild. hilarious mob
greeted me loudly as pressed aside
the heavy curtain and stepped within.
Il cast n quick, comprehensive glance
over the faces. uptnrned through the
enveloplng haze-Swedes and Films
from the North sea. Dutchmen of the
Baltic. hairy Eng,ishmen from the
channel. Yankees OF the West Attain
tic, bcach.combers from out OF the
South seas, with here and there a
negro or brown.faced kanaka to add
to the variety. Faith, 1t was a choice
collection. as though the wide waters
at the world had been skinned to
bring together that rare crew OF beat
lies. Perched high upon n table. his
long legs ,encased In sea boots, seated
astride a chair, sat the singer, hts
mop Of coarse red hair standing erect,
his Jaw that Of a bulldog, the scar Of
I, recent knife wound showing CHASTITY
across one cheek, his blue shirt open
at the throat to reveal hairy chest;
beneath matched bruws his eyes
glnted and cleaned In ferocious at.
tempt ut good humor.
A.. Sing. We hullles!" he roared, after
one inqniring glance toward me. bring.
Ing his heavy glass down on the back
OF the chair. Lay It out fer the gent,
whit has Just come calm on ye. Time
up, We sea dogs. I'm no hopera hartist
here 70 entertain ye. Give us a swing
to the chorus now, or I'll shy this mug
Into yer bloomIn' faces. LIT the tune.
my hearties, and show the dagoes out
side whut ye can do. Now at 1t:
The captains bride was fair TO see:
=. Swing hard! bend low! 4
She Knocked at him; she smiled at me;
Swing hard! bend low! IN.
"Oh, to hell Wild that sorter loye.sick
stun" cried a protesting voice, hoarse.
ly, That's no good sailor song, Bill,
Give lis somethin' to start our pipes"
The giant In the chair scowled.
"Yere u lot O dubs, an not IT sail'
or.men." he retorted. savagely, drain.
Ing his glass; but I've got chorus
yell sing or fight me. M dam II ]
care much which. Now take grip at
this: 5.5
A. mighty man WINS Fat Mccain.
3 WHO sailed ,lnon the SEA.
within HE hold lie y hid the gold,
4 lie, stole In. Barbarce. -,
n In Barbaree. In Rarbarce IS
The men lie mute. 4 z I. n Sfit \, x
4 q q lie has the loot, !. 4 y 81 W.
u He found In Barbnree, III. & 4 8
\ They; we're still fatiflt,$ the motley,
crew, u 4 heir " hoarse, drink