The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-08-11
CHAPTER ~.
In Which | Meet Ny Crew.


The polite hotel clerk halted me as
passed his desk on the way out with
information that a drunken naval Off
eer-evdently Sanchez-had been
there twice already seeking me, had
also asked for Lord Darlington, and
would return again at ten o'clock. l
thanked him, smiling to myself, Won
dering If the English nobleman was
to be challenged also, and promptly
disappeared into the night without.
The unfortunate affair with the ag-
grieved 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 intricacies and dark
places of Port Said, Melbourne and
Calcutta, but ! doubt if even the un-
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
rioting 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 pandemonium and
drunkenness, the entire city a riot
of noisy violence, the populace aroused
to 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 underfoot was irregu-
lar and deceitful, while drunken
crowds, either quarrelsome or mau-
dinghy affectionate, surged aimlessly
about gesticulating and yelling with
Latin fervor. However, l knew the
way well, and kept myself hidden from
observation by lowering close beneath
the protecting shadows Of the build
ings, drawing we'll back within door
ways to permit the noiser parties of
revelers to pass, and then hurrying
forward along the deserted streets. I
stumbled over the body of more than
one drunken man, while sounds of
uuarreling were borne to 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.
Pedro Rodrlgues' den stood some
what back from the narrow lane it
fronted, fanked and concealed by
taller buildings on either side. 1t was
a ramshackle, wooden affair, sagging
sadly at one corner, the half dozen
steps leading to the open door being
only dimly lighted. AS 1t was we'll
known resort, frequented almost en-
tirely by foreign seamen who would
scarcely be safe on the streets such
a night as this, it was no surprise to
discover the taproom densely
crowded with sailor-men, and to dis
tinguish a voice singing Justify in Wig
orous English, to an accompaniment
of glasses pounding upon the rough
tables. Indeed, wild, hilarious mob
greeted me loudly as | pressed aside
the heavy curtain and stepped within.
/ cast a quick, comprehensive glance
over the faces, upturned through the
enveloping haze-Swedes and Firms
from the North sea, Dutchmen of the
Baltic, hairy Englishmen from the
channel, Yankees of the West Attain
tic. beach-combers from out of the
South seas, with here and there a
negro or brown-faced Kanaka to add
to the variety. Faith, it was choice
collection, as though the wide waters
of the world had been skinned to
bring together that rare crew OF beau
ties. Perched high upon table, his
long legs encased in sea boots, seated
astride a chair sat the singer, his
mop of coarse red hair standing erect,
Mis- jaw that Of bulldog, the scar Of
M recent knife wound showing ghastly
cross one cheek, his blue shirt open
the throat to reveal a hairy chest;
Ieath thatched brows his eyes
ted and cleaned in a ferocious at
{ at good humor
Nc, ye bullies!" he roared, after
Nuiring glance toward me, bring
heavy glass down on the back
air. Lay 1t out fer the gent,
just come callin' on We. Tune
hdogs I'm no hopera hartist
ertain We. Give us q swing
Is now, or I'll shy this mug
pmin' faces Lift the tune.
and show the dagoes out
can do. Now at it: