The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1909-02-27

OF us had starved in Sydney at some
time or other And as we lay for-ard.
my mate, Bill Howe, reckoned that
affair with $4,000 to his credit.
1t was past midnight when we sight
ed her: She was standing well away
from the Barrier, like a thing afraid,
running and hooting from light to light.
Funny how these Chinese transports
squeal In the dark-you'd think the
blamed sea wasn't wider than a. race
course -sE. .- u. 0I-~- " 49,
We carried long range, American
cannon for'ard, one I'd picked up from
Chll1an slave agent in Samoa. Bill
Howe looked after the ammunition and
the loading, and he set shot across
the Chinaman's bows as though he was
shooting for a box of cigars I sig
nailed that we'd put mustard plaster
on her waterline if she didn't heaye to
quick and lively.
She hove TO, coughing and swearing
like an old woman with cold in her
head. I measured her fore-and-aft
most smell the dirty decks. I'd seen
coWboats with clearer spaces abaft
their tunnels. There was a crowd of
Chinese merchants and diggers aboard:
they heaved up from below in a sim
Infamous bundle, and they stood on
each others feet trying to get a look
at us.
1--WE pulled towards 'em in a whale
boat. There was eight of US carving
revolvers, seated for'ard. Some of us
had been fighting elbows since we were
boys. It is far better game than fight
ing poor policemen and tearing valu-
able uniforms.
Steady, boys!' I said, as we pulled
under her black, sweating side. She
heaVed and rolled above us like a hot
thing with burning eyes. Funny how
some ships glover at you! We felt
her uneasy breathing, and we heard the
stammer Of her engines as the seas
swung under her portrait.
"'What ship?' says I, hailing her
smartly. Two Of the lads steadied the
Whaleboat to keep us from smashing
against her ribs.
"A long, melon-faced chinky looked
at me over the side, then another and
alive with pigtails and squint-eyed
Mongolians. The little white skipper,
his face puffy with indignation and
whisky, threw his patent lantern on
us. saw his hand shake, and knew
that the bulge in his eyes spelt funk.
It's that Internal Hayes!' he shout
ed to an officer. What the blazes is
he after?
"'See here, Cap'n Shypoo,' says I
briskly, mo personalities or I'll bright
en- the cabin fittings with your bald
head. Savvy?'
my word, he did. I guess the name
of Hayes was as good as a charge of
The compass light showed me his
blithering face as he climbed down
from the bridge, wildeyed and claw
ing the air.
".Hayes,' says he, don't be an ass.
[ know you mean Notwithstanding
short of murder. What is it?' he asks.
Mail bags?'
"No,' says I. Bullion sacks-2,o0O
ounces or whereabouts. Hope you
didn't think I was after the saloon
ducks?' -
when a man turns away his face
I know his knees are giving in, and
his heart is trying to climb out of the
Credit for shooting away explana-
tons: It's part of my business;
and the cargo shippers trading be-
tween Sud Est and Thursday have
GOOD memories. AS aforesaid Capt
Shypoo climbed down in bundle
He looked down at. me like a sick
spar Hayes sal said he, I've heard
in the presence of ladies. We have
several on board, travelling with their
fathers and husbands to Shanghai.
Now, Bully, I ask you to turn my
steamer into bear pit. Are you go
ing to play buccaneer or white man.
"Guess he had me in soft place,
if he'd only known. I was never game
to hold up banana punt if a skirt
of a woman showed itself. Still, I told
myself they might be Chinese ladies
he had aboard, and Chinese ladies
never let down their hair on a question
Of barratry or spirit rapping. So I
adjusted my voice and gave him my
secondbest yell.
Don't want to interfere with your
passengers. I don't want to stand
clawing your greasy hull, sir. We're.
in a hurry, and if you can't make up
your mind about the gold box, We'll
whistle it down with a fiveinch SHE'LL
1T struck me that while he palaver
ed over the rail the elbows were hold
ing private meeting aft They were
explaining in their own lingo that I
cancers at my heels. I don't like
Chinese when they rush together
they're as cute as the end of a light
ming rod.
"'Hurry up!' says I. My ship is rid
ing on your quarter. Just chase your
feet into the bullion room and sling
down the box, or I'll put shell under
your propeller.
''The skipper was piebald man,
smitten with ague and loaded with
Chinese habits. He squeaJed at me and
threatened; then when he'd used up
his rage he foated into hyperbole and
collapsed. Hayes says he, this is a
hanging matter. Piracy, by Heavens.
I'll have a warship on your heels in
less than week.
~ ''The elbows ran to the side and
stared at us again. One Of them,
fellow with an evil squint, spoke for
the others. Hayes, you welly bad
man, said he. VIVA TO- you want our
money! az. -'-a<r
"'Don't want your squeaks, anyhow
I said holly. If you serve up any Can
ton bluff I'll present the crowd Of you
with a raft and a cask Of water!' ct
-. THAT sent 'em in a heap to the state
room, where the captain was hiding his