Evening star., 1917-11-25

ed, and in q majestic voice informed
mo:
can will not. 1 tell Meester Captain
American Monday slowed away.
Meester American to preeson go four,
teen years British government
nearly tainted. From that time BIZ
and were Mondays ab5ect slaves. We
even waited on him personally. ANY
article in my possession that MONDAY
desired was his for the asking. The
steward wormed the secret out Of Mon
day, and was also his slave. Bill and
spent a life OF hell on board.
After getting into the tropics lime
juice was issued daily to the crew to
keep away scurvy. The food was hor-
on the head OF one of the salt pork
casks was stamped Inspected 1888"
Tho crew were on the verge of mu-
tiny.
Then we reached the eastern entrance
Of the straits and it was biustery and
cold. The captain attempted to nego-
tiate the straits one bright moonlight
night. After about three hours the
moon disappeared and we went on the
rocks. knocking big hole in the side
us from sinking. They dropped huge
sail over the side, covering the hole.
work by the carpenter and crew saved
The boats were put over the side and
We expected the ship every minute to
founder. Next day we were towed into
Punta Arenas, and after two weeks
the ship was again made seaworthy.
At Talcahuana we shipped twenty
eight Spaniards. or "hombres,' as we
called them, to work the cargo. This
doubled my work, and l prayed that /
would die. It was nothing but misery
to me. I must have peeled eleven mill
lion barrels of spuds; in fact 1 never
turned in before six bells at night and
had to turn out at six bells in the
morning.
After touching at thirteen ports on
the west coast, discharging our cargo.
we left for little island called Lobas.
where we were to take on cargo OF
Euano While working this cargo it
was misery for every one on board;
the strong ammonia from the guano
made our eyes red and watery. and We
could only breathe by wrapping big
handkerchiefs around our noses and
blowing and guano was even in our
food.
Then, coming back, we touched at
Valparaiso. Chile. To me death seemed
easier than the homeward-bound Voy-
age, so one night Bill and I slid down
the anchor chain and swan to
"bumboat" lying near U.s. We gave the
Chileno 81 to row us ashore he dio
so. Dripping wet We crawled up ONO
the stone quay and made tracks Tor .ne
town. We found that the dock was
inclosed by a tall iron fence. At the
gate were two customs officers. who
Immediately put US under arrest BIZ
and had $40 in gold between US. and,
simple matter to bribe the customs OF
fcials to let US through. This cost US
half of our fortune. but We Cid not
care Freedom was worth all OF it.
We were we'll into the town ana
feeling secure when we were held up
b. Chilean gendarme, who looked
like a walking arsenal. This cost US "
more for our freedom. He left Us in q
hurry and went around the block. we
haId walked about Ave minutes when,
bang. another gendarme. This cost US
s4s After leaving him we were more
cautious hiding our remaining money
in my shoe. Again we were arrested
We said we had no money. and were
hailed into the presence OF the com
mandante- of police" He had l1s
medals on his chest and 1000 yards OF
gold braid on his collar and cuffs. He
had US searched. but did not find the
money. Very much disappointed. in
broken English he informed us that
our ship was to sail at O'Clock the
next morning. and that If he found US
in Valparaiso we would be sent to the
mines.
Shivering and trembling we wended
our way back to the dock and hunted
around for a boatman. Bribtng him
with our remaining money he at last
brought us alongside, just before the
Raagplank was lifted. The black smoke
was pouring from the single funnel OF
the Cushko. Then we went before the
captain, and he logged" US f10 (sae)
each.
On our homeward- bound passage we
went around the Horn and ran into
gale The bos'n nlutinied. Old One
eyed Gibson" came behind him and
laid him low with narlinspike. Then.
carrying him arqidships. he chained
him to the iron steps leading to the
bridge. He remained this way for
day and a half, exposed to cold and
icy wind. Strict orders were passed
through the ship that no one was to
Of darkness. Bill and I sneaked him
steaming pot OF stew. and some hot
coffee. II he had lived. We would.
through this one action, have gained
true friend for life. from exposure he
contracted pneumonia and died. He
ed him in a sack. and tying an old iron
wheel to his feet. placed him on
plank, and while the captain read
rough burial service the plank was
tilted, and the body Of the bos'n went
down to rest in Davy Jones locker.
< +
The first port We touched at the
consuIs nag was hoisted at the fore
mast, and a bleary-eyed. half-drunken
little old man came on board and was
closeted with the captain for about an
hour When he came out he was stag
gering. and his eyes, if possible. were
more bleary. The captain lined the