The spectator., 1919-02-21

dropped huge sail over the side, cov- ering the hole. The boats were put over the side and we expected the ship every minute to founder. Next day we 1 were lowed into Punta Arenas, and after two weeks the ship was again made seaworthy.
 At Talcahuana we shipped 2S Span- iards, or "hombres," as we called tilem to work the cargo. This doubled my work, and I prayed that 1 would die. It was nothing but misery to me. I must have peeled eleven million bar rels of spuds; in fact, I never turned in before six bells at night, and had to turn out at six bells in the morning.
 After touching at 13 ports on the west coast, discharging our cargo. we left for a little island called Lobas, where we were to take on a cargo of guano. While working this cargo 1t was misery for everyone on board; the strong ammonia from the guano made our eyes red and watery, and we could only breathe by wrapping big handker- chiefs around our noses and mouths. 1 me Wlnu WaS COuStuutiS UioNAAS, uiN 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 1 slid down the anchor chain and swan to "bum- boat" lying near us. We gave the Chileno S4 to row us ashore. He did so. Dripping wet we crawled up onto the stone quay and made tracks for the town. We found that the dock was enclosed by a tall iron fence. At the gate were two customs officers, who immediately put us under arrest. Bill and I had $20 in gold between us, and, as is usual in South America, 1t was simple matter to bribe the GUS toms officials to let us through. This cost us half of our fortune, but we did not care. Freedom was worth all of 1t. We were well into the town and feel ing secure when we were held up by Chilean gendarme, who looked like q walking arsenal. This cost us S2 more for our freedom. He left us in a hurry and went around the block. We had walked about five minutes when, bang another gendarme. This cost us $4 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 haled into the presence of the 'commandante of police He had one hundred and Seventy-ei@ht medals on his chest and four thou sand 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 in formed us that our ship was to sail at four o'clock the next morning. and that if he foapd. 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 boatman. Bribing him
 with our remaining money he at last brought us alongside just before the gangplank was lifted. The black
 smoke was pouring from the single funnel of the Cushko. Then we went
 before the captain, and he "logSed' us
 ten pounds ($50) each.
 On our homeward-bound passage we went around the Horn and ran
 into gale. The boS'n mutinied. old
 "One-eyed Gibson" came behind him
 and laid him low with marlinspike. Then, carrying him amidships, he chained him to the iron steps leading to the bridge. He remained this way for day and half. exposed to cold and icy wind. Strict orders were passed through the ship that no one was to approach him. That night, . under cover of darkness, Bill and l sneaked him steaming pot of stew, : and some hot coffee. If he had lived we would. through this one action. : have gained a true friend for life. From exposure he contracted pneu- mona and died. He was buried at sea. The carpenter sewed him in a sack. and tying an old iron wheel to his feet. placed him on plank, and
 while the captain read a 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 consufs flag was hoisted at the fore mast, and blcary-cyed, half-drunken
 little old man came on board and was
 closeted with the captain for about m
 hour When he came out he was
 staggering, and his eyes, if possible,
 were more bleary. The captain lined
 the crew up. and the consul, in n
 thick and stuttering voice, asked the crew if the bos'n had died from natu- ral causes. Ninety per cent of the men could not understand what he said, and silence prevailed. At sea silence means consent. I butted in and said "No." I was standing next , to the mate. I felt that gorilla-lke
 hand of his pinching the back of my
 neck. and l nearly tainted. Then the
 consul went over the side into his a,,I