WHITEANDYELLOW
SanFranciscoBayissolargethatoftenitsstormsaremoredisastroustoocean—goingcraftthanistheoceanitselfinitsviolentmoments。Thewatersofthebaycontainallmanneroffish，whereforeitssurfaceisploughedbythekeelsofallmanneroffishingboatsmannedbyallmanneroffishermen。Toprotectthefishfromthismotleyfloatingpopulationmanywiselawshavebeenpassed，andthereisafishpatroltoseethattheselawsareenforced。Excitingtimesarethelotofthefishpatrol：initshistorymorethanonedeadpatrolmanhasmarkeddefeat，andmoreoftendeadfishermenacrosstheirillegalnetshavemarkedsuccess。
Wildestamongthefisher—folkmaybeaccountedtheChineseshrimp—
catchers。Itisthehabitoftheshrimptocrawlalongthebottominvastarmiestillitreachesfreshwater，whenitturnsaboutandcrawlsbackagaintothesalt。Andwherethetideebbsandflows，theChinesesinkgreatbag—netstothebottom，withgapingmouths，intowhichtheshrimpcrawlsandfromwhichitistransferredtotheboiling—pot。Thisinitselfwouldnotbebad，wereitnotforthesmallmeshofthenets，sosmallthatthetiniestfishes，littlenew—hatchedthingsnotaquarterofaninchlong，cannotpassthrough。ThebeautifulbeachesofPointsPedroandPablo，wherearetheshrimp—catchers’villages，aremadefearfulbythestenchfrommyriadsofdecayingfish，andagainstthiswastefuldestructionithaseverbeenthedutyofthefishpatroltoact。
WhenIwasayoungsterofsixteen，agoodsloop—sailorandall—
roundbay—waterman，mysloop，theReindeer，wascharteredbytheFishCommission，andIbecameforthetimebeingadeputypatrolman。AfteradealofworkamongtheGreekfishermenoftheUpperBayandrivers，whereknivesflashedatthebeginningoftroubleandmenpermittedthemselvestobemadeprisonersonlyafterarevolverwasthrustintheirfaces，wehailedwithdelightanexpeditiontotheLowerBayagainsttheChineseshrimp—catchers。
Thereweresixofus，intwoboats，andtoavoidsuspicionwerandownafterdarkanddroppedanchorunderaprojectingbluffoflandknownasPointPinole。Astheeastpaledwiththefirstlightofdawnwegotunderwayagain，andhauledcloseonthelandbreezeasweslantedacrossthebaytowardPointPedro。Themorningmistscurledandclungtothewatersothatwecouldseenothing，butwebusiedourselvesdrivingthechillfromourbodieswithhotcoffee。
Alsowehadtodevoteourselvestothemiserabletaskofbailing，forinsomeincomprehensiblewaytheReindeerhadsprungagenerousleak。Halfthenighthadbeenspentinoverhaulingtheballastandexploringtheseams，butthelaborhadbeenwithoutavail。Thewaterstillpouredin，andperforcewedoubledupinthecockpitandtosseditoutagain。
Aftercoffee，threeofthemenwithdrewtotheotherboat，aColumbiaRiversalmonboat，leavingthreeofusintheReindeer。
Thenthetwocraftproceededincompanytillthesunshowedovertheeasternsky—line。Itsfieryraysdispelledtheclingingvapors，andthere，beforeoureyes，likeapicture，laytheshrimpfleet，spreadoutinagreathalf—moon，thetipsofthecrescentfullythreemilesapart，andeachjunkmooredfasttothebuoyofashrimp—net。Buttherewasnostir，nosignoflife。
Thesituationdawneduponus。Whilewaitingforslackwater，inwhichtolifttheirheavynetsfromthebedofthebay，theChinesehadallgonetosleepbelow。Wewereelated，andourplanofbattlewasswiftlyformed。
"Throweachofyourtwomenontoajunk，"whisperedLeGranttomefromthesalmonboat。"Andyoumakefasttoathirdyourself。
We’lldothesame，andthere’snoreasonintheworldwhyweshouldn’tcapturesixjunksattheleast。"
Thenweseparated。IputtheReindeeraboutontheothertack，ranupundertheleeofajunk，shiveredthemainsailintothewindandlostheadway，andforgedpastthesternofthejunksoslowlyandsonearthatoneofthepatrolmensteppedlightlyaboard。ThenI
keptoff，filledthemainsail，andboreawayforasecondjunk。
Uptothistimetherehadbeennonoise，butfromthefirstjunkcapturedbythesalmonboatanuproarnowbrokeforth。TherewasshrillOrientalyelling，apistolshot，andmoreyelling。
"It’sallup。They’rewarningtheothers，"saidGeorge，theremainingpatrolman，ashestoodbesidemeinthecockpit。
Bythistimewewereinthethickofthefleet，andthealarmwasspreadingwithincredibleswiftness。Thedeckswerebeginningtoswarmwithhalf—awakenedandhalf—nakedChinese。Criesandyellsofwarningandangerwereflyingoverthequietwater，andsomewhereaconchshellwasbeingblownwithgreatsuccess。TotherightofusIsawthecaptainofajunkchopawayhismooringlinewithanaxeandspringtohelphiscrewatthehoistingofthehuge，outlandishlug—sail。Buttotheleftthefirstheadswerepoppingupfrombelowonanotherjunk，andIroundeduptheReindeeralongsidelongenoughforGeorgetospringaboard。
Thewholefleetwasnowunderway。Inadditiontothesailstheyhadgottenoutlongsweeps，andthebaywasbeingploughedineverydirectionbythefleeingjunks。IwasnowaloneintheReindeer，seekingfeverishlytocaptureathirdprize。ThefirstjunkItookafterwasacleanmiss，forittrimmeditssheetsandshotawaysurprisinglyintothewind。ByfullyhalfapointitoutpointedtheReindeer，andIbegantofeelrespectfortheclumsycraft。
Realizingthehopelessnessofthepursuit，Ifilledaway，threwoutthemain—sheet，anddrovedownbeforethewinduponthejunkstoleeward，whereIhadthematadisadvantage。
TheoneIhadselectedwaveredindecisivelybeforeme，and，asI
swungwidetomaketheboardinggentle，filledsuddenlyanddartedaway，thesmartMongolsshoutingawildrhythmastheybenttothesweeps。ButIhadbeenreadyforthis。Iluffedsuddenly。
Puttingthetillerharddown，andholdingitdownwithmybody，I
broughtthemain—sheetin，handoverhand，ontherun，soastoretainallpossiblestrikingforce。Thetwostarboardsweepsofthejunkwerecrumpledup，andthenthetwoboatscametogetherwithacrash。TheReindeer’sbowsprit，likeamonstroushand，reachedoverandrippedoutthejunk’schunkymastandtoweringsail。
Thiswasmetbyacurdlingyellofrage。AbigChinaman，remarkablyevil—looking，withhisheadswathedinayellowsilkhandkerchiefandfacebadlypock—marked，plantedapike—poleontheReindeer’sbowandbegantoshovetheentangledboatsapart。
Pausinglongenoughtoletgothejibhalyards，andjustastheReindeerclearedandbegantodriftastern，Ileapedaboardthejunkwithalineandmadefast。Heoftheyellowhandkerchiefandpock—markedfacecametowardmethreateningly，butIputmyhandintomyhippocket，andhehesitated。Iwasunarmed，buttheChinesehavelearnedtobefastidiouslycarefulofAmericanhippockets，anditwasuponthisthatIdependedtokeephimandhissavagecrewatadistance。
Iorderedhimtodroptheanchoratthejunk’sbow，towhichhereplied，"Nosabbe。"Thecrewrespondedinlikefashion，andthoughImademymeaningplainbysigns，theyrefusedtounderstand。Realizingtheinexpediencyofdiscussingthematter，I
wentforwardmyself，overrantheline，andlettheanchorgo。
"Nowgetaboard，fourofyou，"Isaidinaloudvoice，indicatingwithmyfingersthatfourofthemweretogowithmeandthefifthwastoremainbythejunk。TheYellowHandkerchiefhesitated；butIrepeatedtheorderfiercely（muchmorefiercelythanIfelt），atthesametimesendingmyhandtomyhip。AgaintheYellowHandkerchiefwasoverawed，andwithsurlylooksheledthreeofhismenaboardtheReindeer。Icastoffatonce，and，leavingthejibdown，steeredacourseforGeorge’sjunk。Hereitwaseasier，forthereweretwoofus，andGeorgehadapistoltofallbackonifitcametotheworst。Andhere，aswithmyjunk，fourChineseweretransferredtothesloopandoneleftbehindtotakecareofthings。
Fourmorewereaddedtoourpassengerlistfromthethirdjunk。Bythistimethesalmonboathadcollecteditstwelveprisonersandcamealongside，badlyoverloaded。Tomakemattersworse，asitwasasmallboat，thepatrolmenweresojammedinwiththeirprisonersthattheywouldhavelittlechanceincaseoftrouble。
"You’llhavetohelpusout，"saidLeGrant。
Ilookedovermyprisoners，whohadcrowdedintothecabinandontopofit。"Icantakethree，"Ianswered。
"Makeitfour，"hesuggested，"andI’lltakeBillwithme。"（Billwasthethirdpatrolman。）"Wehaven’telbowroomhere，andincaseofascuffleonewhitetoeverytwoofthemwillbejustabouttherightproportion。"
Theexchangewasmade，andthesalmonboatgotupitsspritsailandheadeddownthebaytowardthemarshesoffSanRafael。IranupthejibandfollowedwiththeReindeer。SanRafael，whereweweretoturnourcatchovertotheauthorities，communicatedwiththebaybywayofalongandtortuousslough，ormarshlandcreek，whichcouldbenavigatedonlywhenthetidewasin。Slackwaterhadcome，and，astheebbwascommencing，therewasneedforhurryifwecaredtoescapewaitinghalfadayforthenexttide。
Butthelandbreezehadbeguntodieawaywiththerisingsun，andnowcameonlyinfailingpuffs。Thesalmonboatgotoutitsoarsandsoonleftusfarastern。SomeoftheChinesestoodintheforwardpartofthecockpit，nearthecabindoors，andonce，asI
leanedoverthecockpitrailtoflattendownthejib—sheetabit，I
feltsomeonebrushagainstmyhippocket。Imadenosign，butoutofthecornerofmyeyeIsawthattheYellowHandkerchiefhaddiscoveredtheemptinessofthepocketwhichhadhithertooverawedhim。
Tomakemattersserious，duringalltheexcitementofboardingthejunkstheReindeerhadnotbeenbailed，andthewaterwasbeginningtoslushoverthecockpitfloor。Theshrimp—catcherspointedatitandlookedtomequestioningly。
"Yes，"Isaid。"Bimeby，alleesamedlown，vellyquick，younobailnow。Sabbe？"
No，theydidnot"sabbe，"oratleasttheyshooktheirheadstothateffect，thoughtheychatteredmostcomprehendinglytooneanotherintheirownlingo。Ipulledupthreeorfourofthebottomboards，gotacoupleofbucketsfromalocker，andbyunmistakablesign—languageinvitedthemtofallto。Buttheylaughed，andsomecrowdedintothecabinandsomeclimbedupontop。
Theirlaughterwasnotgoodlaughter。Therewasahintofmenaceinit，amaliciousnesswhichtheirblacklooksverified。TheYellowHandkerchief，sincehisdiscoveryofmyemptypocket，hadbecomemostinsolentinhisbearing，andhewormedaboutamongtheotherprisoners，talkingtothemwithgreatearnestness。
Swallowingmychagrin，Isteppeddownintothecockpitandbeganthrowingoutthewater。ButhardlyhadIbegun，whentheboomswungoverhead，themainsailfilledwithajerk，andtheReindeerheeledover。Thedaywindwasspringingup。Georgewastheveriestoflandlubbers，soIwasforcedtogiveoverbailingandtakethetiller。ThewindwasblowingdirectlyoffPointPedroandthehighmountainsbehind，andbecauseofthiswassquallyanduncertain，halfthetimebellyingthecanvasoutandtheotherhalfflappingitidly。
Georgewasaboutthemostall—roundhelplessmanIhadevermet。
Amonghisotherdisabilities，hewasaconsumptive，andIknewthatifheattemptedtobail，itmightbringonahemorrhage。Yettherisingwaterwarnedmethatsomethingmustbedone。AgainI
orderedtheshrimp—catcherstolendahandwiththebuckets。Theylaugheddefiantly，andthoseinsidethecabin，thewateruptotheirankles，shoutedbackandforthwiththoseontop。
"You’dbettergetoutyourgunandmakethembail，"IsaidtoGeorge。
Butheshookhisheadandshowedalltooplainlythathewasafraid。TheChinesecouldseethefunkhewasinaswellasI
could，andtheirinsolencebecameinsufferable。Thoseinthecabinbrokeintothefoodlockers，andthoseabovescrambleddownandjoinedtheminafeastonourcrackersandcannedgoods。
"Whatdowecare？"Georgesaidweakly。
Iwasfumingwithhelplessanger。"Iftheygetoutofhand，itwillbetoolatetocare。Thebestthingyoucandoistogetthemincheckrightnow。"
Thewaterwasrisinghigherandhigher，andthegusts，forerunnersofasteadybreeze，weregrowingstifferandstiffer。Andbetweenthegusts，theprisoners，havinggottenawaywithaweek’sgrub，tooktocrowdingfirsttoonesideandthentotheothertilltheReindeerrockedlikeacockle—shell。YellowHandkerchiefapproachedme，and，pointingouthisvillageonthePointPedrobeach，gavemetounderstandthatifIturnedtheReindeerinthatdirectionandputthemashore，they，inturn，wouldgotobailing。
Bynowthewaterinthecabinwasuptothebunks，andthebed—
clothesweresopping。Itwasafootdeeponthecockpitfloor。
NeverthelessIrefused，andIcouldseebyGeorge’sfacethathewasdisappointed。
"Ifyoudon’tshowsomenerve，they’llrushusandthrowusoverboard，"Isaidtohim。"Bettergivemeyourrevolver，ifyouwanttobesafe。"
"Thesafestthingtodo，"hechatteredcravenly，"istoputthemashore。I，forone，don’twanttobedrownedforthesakeofahandfulofdirtyChinamen。"
"AndI，foranother，don’tcaretogiveintoahandfulofdirtyChinamentoescapedrowning，"Iansweredhotly。
"You’llsinktheReindeerunderusallatthisrate，"hewhined。
"Andwhatgoodthat’lldoIcan’tsee。"
"Everymantohistaste，"Iretorted。
Hemadenoreply，butIcouldseehewastremblingpitifully。
BetweenthethreateningChineseandtherisingwaterhewasbesidehimselfwithfright；and，morethantheChineseandthewater，I
fearedhimandwhathisfrightmightimpelhimtodo。Icouldseehimcastinglongingglancesatthesmallskifftowingastern，sointhenextcalmIhauledtheskiffalongside。AsIdidsohiseyesbrightenedwithhope；butbeforehecouldguessmyintention，I
stovethefrailbottomthroughwithahand—axe，andtheskifffilledtoitsgunwales。
"It’ssinkorfloattogether，"Isaid。"Andifyou’llgivemeyourrevolver，I’llhavetheReindeerbailedoutinajiffy。"
"They’retoomanyforus，"hewhimpered。"Wecan’tfightthemall。"
Iturnedmybackonhimindisgust。ThesalmonboathadlongsincepassedfromsightbehindalittlearchipelagoknownastheMarinIslands，sonohelpcouldbelookedforfromthatquarter。YellowHandkerchiefcameuptomeinafamiliarmanner，thewaterinthecockpitslushingagainsthislegs。Ididnotlikehislooks。I
feltthatbeneaththepleasantsmilehewastryingtoputonhisfacetherewasanillpurpose。Iorderedhimback，andsosharplythatheobeyed。
"Nowkeepyourdistance，"Icommanded，"anddon’tyoucomecloser!"
"Wha’fo’？"hedemandedindignantly。"It’ink—umtalkeetalkeeheapgood。"
"Talkeetalkee，"Iansweredbitterly，forIknewnowthathehadunderstoodallthatpassedbetweenGeorgeandme。"Whatfortalkeetalkee？Younosabbetalkeetalkee。"
Hegrinnedinasicklyfashion。"Yep，Isabbevellymuch。I
honestChinaman。"
"Allright，"Ianswered。"Yousabbetalkeetalkee，thenyoubailwaterplentyplenty。Afterthatwetalkeetalkee。"
Heshookhishead，atthesametimepointingoverhisshouldertohiscomrades。"Nocando。VellybadChinamen，heapvellybad。I
t’ink—um—"
"Standback!"Ishouted，forIhadnoticedhishanddisappearbeneathhisblouseandhisbodyprepareforaspring。
Disconcerted，hewentbackintothecabin，toholdacouncil，apparently，fromthewaythejabberingbrokeforth。TheReindeerwasverydeepinthewater，andhermovementshadgrownquiteloggy。Inaroughseashewouldhaveinevitablyswamped；butthewind，whenitdidblow，wasofftheland，andscarcelyarippledisturbedthesurfaceofthebay。
"Ithinkyou’dbetterheadforthebeach，"Georgesaidabruptly，inamannerthattoldmehisfearhadforcedhimtomakeuphismindtosomecourseofaction。
"Ithinknot，"Iansweredshortly。
"Icommandyou，"hesaidinabullyingtone。
"IwascommandedtobringtheseprisonersintoSanRafael，"wasmyreply。
Ourvoiceswereraised，andthesoundofthealtercationbroughttheChineseoutofthecabin。
"Nowwillyouheadforthebeach？"
ThisfromGeorge，andIfoundmyselflookingintothemuzzleofhisrevolver—oftherevolverhedaredtouseonme，butwastoocowardlytouseontheprisoners。
Mybrainseemedsmittenwithadazzlingbrightness。Thewholesituation，inallitsbearings，wasfocussedsharplybeforeme—
theshameoflosingtheprisoners，theworthlessnessandcowardiceofGeorge，themeetingwithLeGrantandtheotherpatrolmenandthelameexplanation；andthentherewasthefightIhadfoughtsohard，victorywrenchedfrommejustasIthoughtIhaditwithinmygrasp。AndoutofthetailofmyeyeIcouldseetheChinesecrowdingtogetherbythecabindoorsandleeringtriumphantly。Itwouldneverdo。
Ithrewmyhandupandmyheaddown。Thefirstactelevatedthemuzzle，andthesecondremovedmyheadfromthepathofthebulletwhichwentwhistlingpast。OnehandclosedonGeorge’swrist，theotherontherevolver。YellowHandkerchiefandhisgangsprangtowardme。Itwasnowornever。Puttingallmystrengthintoasuddeneffort，IswungGeorge’sbodyforwardtomeetthem。ThenI
pulledbackwithequalsuddenness，rippingtherevolveroutofhisfingersandjerkinghimoffhisfeet。HefellagainstYellowHandkerchief’sknees，whostumbledoverhim，andthepairwallowedinthebailingholewherethecockpitfloorwastornopen。ThenextinstantIwascoveringthemwithmyrevolver，andthewildshrimp—catcherswerecoweringandcringingaway。
ButIswiftlydiscoveredthattherewasallthedifferenceintheworldbetweenshootingmenwhoareattackingandmenwhoaredoingnothingmorethansimplyrefusingtoobey。ForobeytheywouldnotwhenIorderedthemintothebailinghole。Ithreatenedthemwiththerevolver，buttheysatstolidlyinthefloodedcabinandontheroofandwouldnotmove。
Fifteenminutespassed，theReindeersinkingdeeperanddeeper，hermainsailflappinginthecalm。ButfromoffthePointPedroshoreIsawadarklineformonthewaterandtraveltowardus。ItwasthesteadybreezeIhadbeenexpectingsolong。IcalledtotheChineseandpointeditout。Theyhaileditwithexclamations。
ThenIpointedtothesailandtothewaterintheReindeer，andindicatedbysignsthatwhenthewindreachedthesail，whatofthewateraboardwewouldcapsize。Buttheyjeereddefiantly，fortheyknewitwasinmypowertoluffthehelmandletgothemain—sheet，soastospillthewindandescapedamage。
Butmymindwasmadeup。Ihauledinthemain—sheetafootortwo，tookaturnwithit，andbracingmyfeet，putmybackagainstthetiller。Thisleftmeonehandforthesheetandonefortherevolver。Thedarklinedrewnearer，andIcouldseethemlookingfrommetoitandbackagainwithanapprehensiontheycouldnotsuccessfullyconceal。Mybrainandwillandendurancewerepittedagainsttheirs，andtheproblemwaswhichcouldstandthestrainofimminentdeaththelongerandnotgivein。
Thenthewindstruckus。Themain—sheettautenedwithabriskrattlingoftheblocks，theboomuplifted，thesailbelliedout，andtheReindeerheeledover—over，andover，tillthelee—railwentunder，thecabinwindowswentunder，andthebaybegantopourinoverthecockpitrail。Soviolentlyhadsheheeledover，thatthemeninthecabinhadbeenthrownontopofoneanotherintotheleebunk，wheretheysquirmedandtwistedandwerewashedabout，thoseunderneathbeingperilouslyneartodrowning。
Thewindfreshenedabit，andtheReindeerwentoverfartherthanever。ForthemomentIthoughtshewasgone，andIknewthatanotherpufflikethatandshesurelywouldgo。WhileIpressedherunderanddebatedwhetherIshouldgiveupornot，theChinesecriedformercy。IthinkitwasthesweetestsoundIhaveeverheard。Andthen，andnotuntilthen，didIluffupandeaseoutthemain—sheet。TheReindeerrightedveryslowly，andwhenshewasonanevenkeelwassomuchawashthatIdoubtedifshecouldbesaved。
ButtheChinesescrambledmadlyintothecockpitandfelltobailingwithbuckets，pots，pans，andeverythingtheycouldlayhandson。Itwasabeautifulsighttoseethatwaterflyingovertheside!AndwhentheReindeerwashighandproudonthewateroncemore，wedashedawaywiththebreezeonourquarter，andatthelastpossiblemomentcrossedthemudflatsandenteredtheslough。
ThespiritoftheChinesewasbroken，andsodociledidtheybecomethaterewemadeSanRafaeltheywereoutwiththetow—rope，YellowHandkerchiefattheheadoftheline。AsforGeorge，itwashislasttripwiththefishpatrol。Hedidnotcareforthatsortofthing，heexplained，andhethoughtaclerkshipashorewasgoodenoughforhim。Andwethoughtsotoo。
THEKINGOFTHEGREEKS
BigAlechadneverbeencapturedbythefishpatrol。Itwashisboastthatnomancouldtakehimalive，anditwashishistorythatofthemanymenwhohadtriedtotakehimdeadnonehadsucceeded。
Itwasalsohistorythatatleasttwopatrolmenwhohadtriedtotakehimdeadhaddiedthemselves。Further，nomanviolatedthefishlawsmoresystematicallyanddeliberatelythanBigAlec。
Hewascalled"BigAlec"becauseofhisgiganticstature。Hisheightwassixfeetthreeinches，andhewascorrespondinglybroad—
shoulderedanddeep—chested。Hewassplendidlymuscledandhardassteel，andtherewereinnumerablestoriesincirculationamongthefisher—folkconcerninghisprodigiousstrength。Hewasasboldanddominantofspiritashewasstrongofbody，andbecauseofthishewaswidelyknownbyanothername，thatof"TheKingoftheGreeks。"
ThefishingpopulationwaslargelycomposedofGreeks，andtheylookeduptohimandobeyedhimastheirchief。Andastheirchief，hefoughttheirfightsforthem，sawthattheywereprotected，savedthemfromthelawwhentheyfellintoitsclutches，andmadethemstandbyoneanotherandhimselfintimeoftrouble。
Intheolddays，thefishpatrolhadattemptedhiscapturemanydisastroustimesandhadfinallygivenitover，sothatwhenthewordwasoutthathewascomingtoBenicia，Iwasmostanxioustoseehim。ButIdidnothavetohunthimup。Inhisusualboldway，thefirstthinghedidonarrivingwastohuntusup。CharleyLeGrantandIatthetimewereunderapatrol—mannamedCarmintel，andthethreeofuswereontheReindeer，preparingforatrip，whenBigAlecsteppedaboard。Carmintelevidentlyknewhim，fortheyshookhandsinrecognition。BigAlectooknonoticeofCharleyorme。
"I’vecomedowntofishsturgeonacoupleofmonths，"hesaidtoCarmintel。
Hiseyesflashedwithchallengeashespoke，andwenoticedthepatrolman’seyesdropbeforehim。
"That’sallright，Alec，"Carmintelsaidinalowvoice。"I’llnotbotheryou。Comeonintothecabin，andwe’lltalkthingsover，"
headded。
Whentheyhadgoneinsideandshutthedoorsafterthem，Charleywinkedwithslowdeliberationatme。ButIwasonlyayoungster，andnewtomenandthewaysofsomemen，soIdidnotunderstand。
NordidCharleyexplain，thoughIfelttherewassomethingwrongaboutthebusiness。
Leavingthemtotheirconference，atCharley’ssuggestionweboardedourskiffandpulledovertotheOldSteamboatWharf，whereBigAlec’sarkwaslying。Anarkisahouse—boatofsmallthoughcomfortabledimensions，andisasnecessarytotheUpperBayfishermanasarenetsandboats。WewerebothcurioustoseeBigAlec’sark，forhistorysaidthatithadbeenthesceneofmorethanonepitchedbattle，andthatitwasriddledwithbullet—holes。
Wefoundtheholes（stoppedwithwoodenplugsandpaintedover），buttherewerenotsomanyasIhadexpected。Charleynotedmylookofdisappointment，andlaughed；andthentocomfortmehegaveanauthenticaccountofoneexpeditionwhichhaddescendeduponBigAlec’sfloatinghometocapturehim，alivepreferably，deadifnecessary。Attheendofhalfaday’sfighting，thepatrolmenhaddrawnoffinwreckedboats，withoneoftheirnumberkilledandthreewounded。Andwhentheyreturnednextmorningwithreinforcementstheyfoundonlythemooring—stakesofBigAlec’sark；thearkitselfremainedhiddenformonthsinthefastnessesoftheSuisuntules。
"Butwhywashenothangedformurder？"Idemanded。"SurelytheUnitedStatesispowerfulenoughtobringsuchamantojustice。"
"Hegavehimselfupandstoodtrial，"Charleyanswered。"Itcosthimfiftythousanddollarstowinthecase，whichhedidontechnicalitiesandwiththeaidofthebestlawyersinthestate。
EveryGreekfishermanontherivercontributedtothesum。BigAlecleviedandcollectedthetax，foralltheworldlikeaking。
TheUnitedStatesmaybeall—powerful，mylad，butthefactremainsthatBigAlecisakinginsidetheUnitedStates，withacountryandsubjectsallhisown。"
"Butwhatareyougoingtodoabouthisfishingforsturgeon？He’sboundtofishwitha’Chineseline。’"
Charleyshruggedhisshoulders。"We’llseewhatwewillsee，"hesaidenigmatically。
Nowa"Chineseline"isacunningdeviceinventedbythepeoplewhosenameitbears。Byasimplesystemoffloats，weights，andanchors，thousandsofhooks，eachonaseparateleader，aresuspendedatadistanceoffromsixinchestoafootabovethebottom。Theremarkablethingaboutsuchalineisthehook。Itisbarbless，andinplaceofthebarb，thehookisfiledlongandtaperingtoapointassharpasthatofaneedle。Thesehoodsareonlyafewinchesapart，andwhenseveralthousandofthemaresuspendedjustabovethebottom，likeafringe，foracoupleofhundredfathoms，theypresentaformidableobstacletothefishthattravelalongthebottom。
Suchafishisthesturgeon，whichgoesrootingalonglikeapig，andindeedisoftencalled"pig—fish。"Prickedbythefirsthookittouches，thesturgeongivesastartledleapandcomesintocontactwithhalfadozenmorehooks。Thenitthreshesaboutwildly，untilitreceiveshookafterhookinitssoftflesh；andthehooks，strainingfrommanydifferentangles，holdthelucklessfishfastuntilitisdrowned。BecausenosturgeoncanpassthroughaChineseline，thedeviceiscalledatrapinthefishlaws；andbecauseitbidsfairtoexterminatethesturgeon，itisbrandedbythefishlawsasillegal。Andsuchaline，wewereconfident，BigAlecintendedsetting，inopenandflagrantviolationofthelaw。
SeveraldayspassedafterthevisitofBigAlec，duringwhichCharleyandIkeptasharpwatchonhim。HetowedhisarkaroundtheSolanoWharfandintothebigbightatTurner’sShipyard。Thebightweknewtobegoodgroundforsturgeon，andtherewefeltsuretheKingoftheGreeksintendedtobeginoperations。Thetidecircledlikeamill—raceinandoutofthisbight，andmadeitpossibletoraise，lower，orsetaChineselineonlyatslackwater。SobetweenthetidesCharleyandImadeitapointforoneortheotherofustokeepalookoutfromtheSolanoWharf。
OnthefourthdayIwaslyinginthesunbehindthestringer—pieceofthewharf，whenIsawaskiffleavethedistantshoreandpulloutintothebight。InaninstanttheglasseswereatmyeyesandIwasfollowingeverymovementoftheskiff。Thereweretwomeninit，andthoughitwasagoodmileaway，ImadeoutoneofthemtobeBigAlec；anderetheskiffreturnedtoshoreImadeoutenoughmoretoknowthattheGreekhadsethisline。
"BigAlechasaChineselineoutinthebightoffTurner’sShipyard，"CharleyLeGrantsaidthatafternoontoCarmintel。
Afleetingexpressionofannoyancepassedoverthepatrolman’sface，andthenhesaid，"Yes？"inanabsentway，andthatwasall。
Charleybithislipwithsuppressedangerandturnedonhisheel。
"Areyougame，mylad？"hesaidtomelateronintheevening，justaswefinishedwashingdowntheReindeer’sdecksandwerepreparingtoturnin。
Alumpcameupinmythroat，andIcouldonlynodmyhead。
"Well，then，"andCharley’seyesglitteredinadeterminedway，"we’vegottocaptureBigAlecbetweenus，youandI，andwe’vegottodoitinspiteofCarmintel。Willyoulendahand？"
"It’sahardproposition，butwecandoit，"headdedafterapause。
"Ofcoursewecan，"Isupplementedenthusiastically。
Andthenhesaid，"Ofcoursewecan，"andweshookhandsonitandwenttobed。
Butitwasnoeasytaskwehadsetourselves。Inordertoconvictamanofillegalfishing，itwasnecessarytocatchhimintheactwithalltheevidenceofthecrimeabouthim—thehooks，thelines，thefish，andthemanhimself。ThismeantthatwemusttakeBigAlecontheopenwater，wherehecouldseeuscomingandprepareforusoneofthewarmreceptionsforwhichhewasnoted。
"There’snogettingaroundit，"Charleysaidonemorning。"Ifwecanonlygetalongsideit’saneventoss，andthere’snothingleftforusbuttotryandgetalongside。Comeon，lad。"
WewereintheColumbiaRiversalmonboat，theonewehadusedagainsttheChineseshrimp—catchers。Slackwaterhadcome，andaswedroppedaroundtheendoftheSolanoWharfwesawBigAlecatwork，runninghislineandremovingthefish。
"Changeplaces，"Charleycommanded，"andsteerjustasternofhimasthoughyou’regoingintotheshipyard。"
Itookthetiller，andCharleysatdownonathwartamidships，placinghisrevolverhandilybesidehim。
"Ifhebeginstoshoot，"hecautioned，"getdowninthebottomandsteerfromthere，sothatnothingmorethanyourhandwillbeexposed。"
Inodded，andwekeptsilentafterthat，theboatslippinggentlythroughthewaterandBigAlecgrowingnearerandnearer。Wecouldseehimquiteplainly，gaffingthesturgeonandthrowingthemintotheboatwhilehiscompanionranthelineandclearedthehooksashedroppedthembackintothewater。Nevertheless，wewerefivehundredyardsawaywhenthebigfishermanhailedus。
"Here!You!Whatdoyouwant？"heshouted。
"Keepgoing，"Charleywhispered，"justasthoughyoudidn’thearhim。"
Thenextfewmomentswereveryanxiousones。Thefishermanwasstudyingussharply，whilewewereglidinguponhimeverysecond。
"Youkeepoffifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou!"hecalledoutsuddenly，asthoughhehadmadeuphismindastowhoandwhatwewere。"Ifyoudon’t，I’llfixyou!"
Hebroughtarifletohisshoulderandtraineditonme。
"Nowwillyoukeepoff？"hedemanded。
IcouldhearCharleygroanwithdisappointment。"Keepoff，"hewhispered；"it’sallupforthistime。"
Iputupthetillerandeasedthesheet，andthesalmonboatranofffiveorsixpoints。BigAlecwatchedustillwewereoutofrange，whenhereturnedtohiswork。
"You’dbetterleaveBigAlecalone，"Carmintelsaid，rathersourly，toCharleythatnight。
"Sohe’sbeencomplainingtoyou，hashe？"Charleysaidsignificantly。
Carmintelflushedpainfully。"You’dbetterleavehimalone，Itellyou，"herepeated。"He’sadangerousman，anditwon’tpaytofoolwithhim。"
"Yes，"Charleyansweredsoftly；"I’veheardthatitpaysbettertoleavehimalone。"
ThiswasadirectthrustatCarmintel，andwecouldseebytheexpressionofhisfacethatitsankhome。ForitwascommonknowledgethatBigAlecwasaswillingtobribeastofight，andthatoflateyearsmorethanonepatrolmanhadhandledthefisherman’smoney。
"Doyoumeantosay—"Carmintelbegan，inabullyingtone。
ButCharleycuthimoffshortly。"Imeantosaynothing，"hesaid。
"YouheardwhatIsaid，andifthecapfits，why—"
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andCarmintelgloweredathim，speechless。
"Whatwewantisimagination，"Charleysaidtomeoneday，whenwehadattemptedtocreepuponBigAlecinthegrayofdawnandhadbeenshotatforourtrouble。
Andthereafter，andformanydays，Icudgelledmybrainstryingtoimaginesomepossiblewaybywhichtwomen，onanopenstretchofwater，couldcaptureanotherwhoknewhowtousearifleandwasnevertobefoundwithoutone。Regularly，everyslackwater，withoutslyness，boldlyandopenlyinthebroadday，BigAlecwastobeseenrunninghisline。Andwhatmadeitparticularlyexasperatingwasthefactthateveryfisherman，fromBeniciatoVallejoknewthathewassuccessfullydefyingus。Carmintelalsobotheredus，forhekeptusbusyamongtheshad—fishersofSanPablo，sothatwehadlittletimetospareontheKingoftheGreeks。ButCharley’swifeandchildrenlivedatBenicia，andwehadmadetheplaceourheadquarters，sothatwealwaysreturnedtoit。
"I’lltellyouwhatwecando，"Isaid，afterseveralfruitlessweekshadpassed；"wecanwaitsomeslackwatertillBigAlechasrunhislineandgoneashorewiththefish，andthenwecangooutandcapturetheline。Itwillputhimtotimeandexpensetomakeanother，andthenwe’llfiguretocapturethattoo。Ifwecan’tcapturehim，wecandiscouragehim，yousee。"
Charleysaw，andsaiditwasn’tabadidea。Wewatchedourchance，andthenextlow—waterslack，afterBigAlechadremovedthefishfromthelineandreturnedashore，wewentoutinthesalmonboat。
Wehadthebearingsofthelinefromshoremarks，andweknewwewouldhavenodifficultyinlocatingit。Thefirstofthefloodtidewassettingin，whenweranbelowwherewethoughtthelinewasstretchedanddroppedoverafishing—boatanchor。Keepingashortropetotheanchor，sothatitbarelytouchedthebottom，wedraggeditslowlyalonguntilitstuckandtheboatfetcheduphardandfast。
"We’vegotit，"Charleycried。"Comeonandlendahandtogetitin。"
TogetherwehoveuptheropetilltheanchorIcameinsightwiththesturgeonlinecaughtacrossoneoftheflukes。Scoresofthemurderous—lookinghooksflashedintosightasweclearedtheanchor，andwehadjuststartedtorunalongthelinetotheendwherewecouldbegintoliftit，whenasharpthudintheboatstartledus。Welookedabout，butsawnothingandreturnedtoourwork。AninstantlatertherewasasimilarsharpthudandthegunwalesplinteredbetweenCharley’sbodyandmine。
"That’sremarkablylikeabullet，lad，"hesaidreflectively。"Andit’salongshotBigAlec’smaking。"
"Andhe’susingsmokelesspowder，"heconcluded，afteranexaminationofthemile—distantshore。"That’swhywecan’thearthereport。"
Ilookedattheshore，butcouldseenosignofBigAlec，whowasundoubtedlyhiddeninsomerockynookwithusathismercy。A
thirdbulletstruckthewater，glanced，passedsingingoverourheads，andstruckthewateragainbeyond。
"Iguesswe’dbettergetoutofthis，"Charleyremarkedcoolly。
"Whatdoyouthink，lad？"
Ithoughtso，too，andsaidwedidn’twantthelineanyway。
Whereuponwecastoffandhoistedthespritsail。Thebulletsceasedatonce，andwesailedaway，unpleasantlyconfidentthatBigAlecwaslaughingatourdiscomfiture。
Andmorethanthat，thenextdayonthefishingwharf，wherewewereinspectingnets，hesawfittolaughandsneeratus，andthisbeforeallthefishermen。Charley’sfacewentblackwithanger；
butbeyondpromisingBigAlecthatintheendhewouldsurelylandhimbehindthebars，hecontrolledhimselfandsaidnothing。TheKingoftheGreeksmadehisboastthatnofishpatrolhadevertakenhimorevercouldtakehim，andthefishermencheeredhimandsaiditwastrue。Theygrewexcited，anditlookedliketroubleforawhile；butBigAlecassertedhiskingshipandquelledthem。
CarmintelalsolaughedatCharley，anddroppedsarcasticremarks，andmadeithardforhim。ButCharleyrefusedtobeangered，thoughhetoldmeinconfidencethatheintendedtocaptureBigAlecifittookalltherestofhislifetoaccomplishit。
"Idon’tknowhowI’lldoit，"hesaid，"butdoitIwill，assureasIamCharleyLeGrant。Theideawillcometomeattherightandpropertime，neverfear。"
Andattherighttimeitcame，andmostunexpectedly。Fullyamonthhadpassed，andwewereconstantlyupanddowntheriver，anddownandupthebay，withnosparemomentstodevotetotheparticularfishermanwhoranaChineselineinthebightofTurner’sShipyard。WehadcalledinatSelby’sSmelteroneafternoon，whileonpatrolwork，whenallunknowntousouropportunityhappenedalong。Itappearedintheguiseofahelplessyachtloadedwithseasickpeople，sowecouldhardlybeexpectedtorecognizeitastheopportunity。Itwasalargesloop—yacht，anditwashelplessinasmuchasthetrade—windwasblowinghalfagaleandtherewerenocapablesailorsaboard。
FromthewharfatSelby’swewatchedwithcarelessinterestthelubberlymanoeuvreperformedofbringingtheyachttoanchor，andtheequallylubberlymanoeuvreofsendingthesmallboatashore。A
verymiserable—lookingmanindraggledducks，afternearlyswampingtheboatintheheavyseas，passedusthepainterandclimbedout。
Hestaggeredaboutasthoughthewharfwererolling，andtoldushistroubles，whichwerethetroublesoftheyacht。Theonlyrough—weathersailoraboard，themanonwhomtheyalldepended，hadbeencalledbacktoSanFranciscobyatelegram，andtheyhadattemptedtocontinuethecruisealone。ThehighwindandbigseasofSanPabloBayhadbeentoomuchforthem；allhandsweresick，nobodyknewanythingorcoulddoanything；andsotheyhadrunintothesmeltereithertodeserttheyachtortogetsomebodytobringittoBenicia。Inshort，didweknowofanysailorswhowouldbringtheyachtintoBenicia？
Charleylookedatme。TheReindeerwaslyinginasnugplace。Wehadnothingonhandinthewayofpatrolworktillmidnight。Withthewindthenblowing，wecouldsailtheyachtintoBeniciainacoupleofhours，haveseveralmorehoursashore，andcomebacktothesmelterontheeveningtrain。
"Allright，captain，"Charleysaidtothedisconsolateyachtsman，whosmiledinsicklyfashionatthetitle。
"I’monlytheowner，"heexplained。
Werowedhimaboardinmuchbetterstylethanhehadcomeashore，andsawforourselvesthehelplessnessofthepassengers。Therewereadozenmenandwomen，andallofthemtoosickeventoappeargratefulatourcoming。Theyachtwasrollingsavagely，broadon，andnosoonerhadtheowner’sfeettouchedthedeckthanhecollapsedandjoined，theothers。Notonewasabletobearahand，soCharleyandIbetweenusclearedthebadlytangledrunninggear，gotupsail，andhoistedanchor。
Itwasaroughtrip，thoughaswiftone。TheCarquinezStraitswereawelteroffoamandsmother，andwecamethroughthemwildlybeforethewind，thebigmainsailalternatelydippingandflingingitsboomskywardaswetorealong。Butthepeopledidnotmind。
Theydidnotmindanything。Twoorthree，includingtheowner，sprawledinthecockpit，shudderingwhentheyachtliftedandracedandsankdizzilyintothetrough，andbetween—whilesregardingtheshorewithyearningeyes。Therestwerehuddledonthecabinflooramongthecushions。Nowandagainsomeonegroaned，butforthemostparttheywereaslimpassomanydeadpersons。
AsthebightatTurner’sShipyardopenedout，Charleyedgedintoittogetthesmootherwater。Beniciawasinview，andwewerebowlingalongovercomparativelyeasywater，whenaspeckofaboatdancedupaheadofus，directlyinourcourse。Itwaslow—waterslack。CharleyandIlookedateachother。Nowordwasspoken，butatoncetheyachtbeganamostastonishingperformance，veeringandyawingasthoughthegreenestofamateurswasatthewheel。Itwasasightforsailormentosee。Toallappearances，arunawayyachtwascareeringmadlyoverthebight，andnowandagainyieldingalittlebittocontrolinadesperateefforttomakeBenicia。
Theownerforgothisseasicknesslongenoughtolookanxious。Thespeckofaboatgrewlargerandlarger，tillwecouldseeBigAlecandhispartner，withaturnofthesturgeonlinearoundacleat，restingfromtheirlabortolaughatus。Charleypulledhissou’westeroverhiseyes，andIfollowedhisexample，thoughI
couldnotguesstheideaheevidentlyhadinmindandintendedtocarryintoexecution。
Wecamefoamingdownabreastoftheskiff，soclosethatwecouldhearabovethewindthevoicesofBigAlecandhismateastheyshoutedatuswithallthescornthatprofessionalwatermenfeelforamateurs，especiallywhenamateursaremakingfoolsofthemselves。
Wethunderedonpastthefishermen，andnothinghadhappened。
Charleygrinnedatthedisappointmenthesawinmyface，andthenshouted：
"Standbythemain—sheettojibe!"
Heputthewheelhardover，andtheyachtwhirledaroundobediently。Themain—sheetslackedanddipped，thenshotoverourheadsaftertheboomandtautenedwithacrashonthetraveller。
Theyachtheeledoveralmostonherbeamends，andagreatwailwentupfromtheseasickpassengersastheysweptacrossthecabinfloorinatangledmassandpiledintoaheapinthestarboardbunks。
Butwehadnotimeforthem。Theyacht，completingthemanoeuvre，headedintothewindwithslattingcanvas，andrightedtoanevenkeel。Wewerestillplungingahead，anddirectlyinourpathwastheskiff。IsawBigAlecdiveoverboardandhismateleapforourbowsprit。Thencamethecrashaswestrucktheboat，andaseriesofgrindingbumpsasitpassedunderourbottom。
"Thatfixeshisrifle，"IheardCharleymutter，ashespranguponthedecktolookforBigAlecsomewhereastern。
Thewindandseaquicklystoppedourforwardmovement，andwebegantodriftbackwardoverthespotwheretheskiffhadbeen。BigAlec’sblackheadandswarthyfacepoppedupwithinarm’sreach；
andallunsuspectingandveryangrywithwhathetooktobetheclumsinessofamateursailors，hewashauledaboard。Alsohewasoutofbreath，forhehaddiveddeepandstayeddownlongtoescapeourkeel。
Thenextinstant，totheperplexityandconsternationoftheowner，CharleywasontopofBigAlecinthecockpit，andIwashelpingbindhimwithgaskets。Theownerwasdancingexcitedlyaboutanddemandinganexplanation，butbythattimeBigAlec’spartnerhadcrawledaftfromthebowspritandwaspeeringapprehensivelyovertherailintothecockpit。Charley’sarmshotaroundhisneckandthemanlandedonhisbackbesideBigAlec。
"Moregaskets!"Charleyshouted，andImadehastetosupplythem。
Thewreckedskiffwasrollingsluggishlyashortdistancetowindward，andItrimmedthesheetswhileCharleytookthewheelandsteeredforit。
"Thesetwomenareoldoffenders，"heexplainedtotheangryowner；
"andtheyaremostpersistentviolatorsofthefishandgamelaws。
Youhaveseenthemcaughtintheact，andyoumayexpecttobesubpoenaedaswitnessforthestatewhenthetrialcomesoff。"
Ashespokeheroundedalongsidetheskiff。Ithadbeentornfromtheline，asectionofwhichwasdraggingtoit。Hehauledinfortyorfiftyfeetwithayoungsturgeonstillfastinatangleofbarblesshooks，slashedthatmuchofthelinefreewithhisknife，andtosseditintothecockpitbesidetheprisoners。
"Andthere’stheevidence，ExhibitA，forthepeople，"Charleycontinued。"Lookitovercarefullysothatyoumayidentifyitinthecourt—roomwiththetimeandplaceofcapture。"
Andthen，intriumph，withnomoreveeringandyawing，wesailedintoBenicia，theKingoftheGreeksboundhardandfastinthecockpit，andforthefirsttimeinhislifeaprisonerofthefishpatrol。
ARAIDONTHEOYSTERPIRATES
Ofthefishpatrolmenunderwhomweservedatvarioustimes，CharleyLeGrantandIwereagreed，Ithink，thatNeilPartingtonwasthebest。Hewasneitherdishonestnorcowardly；andwhilehedemandedstrictobediencewhenwewereunderhisorders，atthesametimeourrelationswerethoseofeasycomradeship，andhepermittedusafreedomtowhichwewereordinarilyunaccustomed，asthepresentstorywillshow。
Neil’sfamilylivedinOakland，whichisontheLowerBay，notmorethansixmilesacrossthewaterfromSanFrancisco。Oneday，whilescoutingamongtheChineseshrimp—catchersofPointPedro，hereceivedwordthathiswifewasveryill；andwithinthehourtheReindeerwasbowlingalongforOakland，withastiffnorthwestbreezeastern。WeranuptheOaklandEstuaryandcametoanchor，andinthedaysthatfollowed，whileNeilwasashore，wetighteneduptheReindeer’srigging，overhauledtheballast，scrapeddown，andputthesloopintothoroughshape。
Thisdone，timehungheavyonourhands。Neil’swifewasdangerouslyill，andtheoutlookwasaweek’slie—over，awaitingthecrisis。CharleyandIroamedthedocks，wonderingwhatweshoulddo，andsocameupontheoysterfleetlyingattheOaklandCityWharf。Inthemaintheyweretrim，nattyboats，madeforspeedandbadweather，andwesatdownonthestringer—pieceofthedocktostudythem。
"Agoodcatch，Iguess，"Charleysaid，pointingtotheheapsofoysters，assortedinthreesizes，whichlayupontheirdecks。
Pedlerswerebackingtheirwagonstotheedgeofthewharf，andfromthebargainingandchafferingthatwenton，Imanagedtolearnthesellingpriceoftheoysters。
"Thatboatmusthaveatleasttwohundreddollars’worthaboard，"I
calculated。"Iwonderhowlongittooktogettheload？"
"Threeorfourdays，"Charleyanswered。"Notbadwagesfortwomen—twenty—fivedollarsadayapiece。"
Theboatwewerediscussing，theGhost，laydirectlybeneathus。
Twomencomposeditscrew。Onewasasquat，broad—shoulderedfellowwithremarkablylongandgorilla—likearms，whiletheotherwastallandwellproportioned，withclearblueeyesandamatofstraightblackhair。SounusualandstrikingwasthiscombinationofhairandeyesthatCharleyandIremainedsomewhatlongerthanweintended。
Anditwaswellthatwedid。Astout，elderlyman，withthedressandcarriageofasuccessfulmerchant，cameupandstoodbesideus，lookingdownuponthedeckoftheGhost。Heappearedangry，andthelongerhelookedtheangrierhegrew。
"Thosearemyoysters，"hesaidatlast。"Iknowtheyaremyoysters。Youraidedmybedslastnightandrobbedmeofthem。"
ThetallmanandtheshortmanontheGhostlookedup。
"Hello，Taft，"theshortmansaid，withinsolentfamiliarity。
（Amongthebayfarershehadgainedthenicknameof"TheCentipede"
onaccountofhislongarms。）"Hello，Taft，"herepeated，withthesametouchofinsolence。"Wot’ryougrowlingaboutnow？"
"Thosearemyoysters—that’swhatIsaid。You’vestolenthemfrommybeds。"
"Yermightywise，ain’tye？"wastheCentipede’ssneeringreply。
"S’poseyoucantellyouroysterswhereveryousee’em？"
"Now，inmyexperience，"brokeinthetallman，"oystersisoysterswhereveryoufind’em，an’they’reprettymuchalikealltheBayover，andtheworldover，too，forthatmatter。We’renotwantin’
toquarrelwithyou，Mr。Taft，butwejes’wishyouwouldn’tinsinuatethatthemoystersisyoursan’thatwe’rethievesan’
robberstillyoucanprovethegoods。"
"Iknowthey’remine；I’dstakemylifeonit!"Mr。Taftsnorted。
"Proveit，"challengedthetallman，whoweafterwardlearnedwasknownas"ThePorpoise"becauseofhiswonderfulswimmingabilities。
Mr。Taftshruggedhisshouldershelplessly。Ofcoursehecouldnotprovetheoysterstobehis，nomatterhowcertainhemightbe。
"I’dgiveathousanddollarstohaveyoumenbehindthebars!"hecried。"I’llgivefiftydollarsaheadforyourarrestandconviction，allofyou!"
Aroaroflaughterwentupfromthedifferentboats，fortherestofthepirateshadbeenlisteningtothediscussion。
"There’smoremoneyinoysters，"thePorpoiseremarkeddryly。
Mr。Taftturnedimpatientlyonhisheelandwalkedaway。Fromoutofthecornerofhiseye，Charleynotedthewayhewent。Severalminuteslater，whenhehaddisappearedaroundacorner，Charleyroselazilytohisfeet。Ifollowedhim，andwesaunteredoffintheoppositedirectiontothattakenbyMr。Taft。
"Comeon!Lively!"Charleywhispered，whenwepassedfromtheviewoftheoysterfleet。
Ourcoursewaschangedatonce，andwedodgedaroundcornersandracedupanddownside—streetstillMr。Taft’sgenerousformloomedupaheadofus。
"I’mgoingtointerviewhimaboutthatreward，"Charleyexplained，aswerapidlyover—hauledtheoyster—bedowner。"Neilwillbedelayedhereforaweek，andyouandImightaswellbedoingsomethinginthemeantime。Whatdoyousay？"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse，"Mr。Taftsaid，whenCharleyhadintroducedhimselfandexplainedhiserrand。"Thosethievesarerobbingmeofthousandsofdollarseveryyear，andIshallbegladtobreakthemupatanyprice，—yes，sir，atanyprice。AsIsaid，I’llgivefiftydollarsahead，andcallitcheapatthat。They’verobbedmybeds，torndownmysigns，terrorizedmywatchmen，andlastyearkilledoneofthem。Couldn’tproveit。Alldoneintheblacknessofnight。AllIhadwasadeadwatchmanandnoevidence。Thedetectivescoulddonothing。Nobodyhasbeenabletodoanythingwiththosemen。Wehaveneversucceededinarrestingoneofthem。
SoIsay，Mr。—Whatdidyousayyournamewas？"
"LeGrant，"Charleyanswered。
"SoIsay，Mr。LeGrant，Iamdeeplyobligedtoyoufortheassistanceyouoffer。AndIshallbeglad，mostglad，sir，toco—
operatewithyouineveryway。Mywatchmenandboatsareatyourdisposal。ComeandseemeattheSanFranciscoofficesanytime，ortelephoneatmyexpense。Anddon’tbeafraidofspendingmoney。
I’llfootyourexpenses，whatevertheyare，solongastheyarewithinreason。Thesituationisgrowingdesperate，andsomethingmustbedonetodeterminewhetherIorthatbandofruffiansownthoseoysterbeds。"
"Nowwe’llseeNeil，"Charleysaid，whenhehadseenMr。TaftuponhistraintoSanFrancisco。
NotonlydidNeilPartingtoninterposenoobstacletoouradventure，butheprovedtobeofthegreatestassistance。CharleyandIknewnothingoftheoysterindustry，whilehisheadwasanencyclopaediaoffactsconcerningit。Also，withinanhourorso，hewasabletobringtousaGreekboyofseventeenoreighteenwhoknewthoroughlywelltheinsandoutsofoysterpiracy。
AtthispointImayaswellexplainthatweofthefishpatrolwerefreelancesinaway。WhileNeilPartington，whowasapatrolmanproper，receivedaregularsalary，CharleyandI，beingmerelydeputies，receivedonlywhatweearned—thatistosay，acertainpercentageofthefinesimposedonconvictedviolatorsofthefishlaws。Also，anyrewardsthatchancedourwaywereours。WeofferedtosharewithPartingtonwhateverweshouldgetfromMr。
Taft，butthepatrolmanwouldnothearofit。Hewasonlytoohappy，hesaid，todoagoodturnforus，whohaddonesomanyforhim。
Weheldalongcouncilofwar，andmappedoutthefollowinglineofaction。OurfaceswereunfamiliarontheLowerBay，butastheReindeerwaswellknownasafish—patrolsloop，theGreekboy，whosenamewasNicholas，andIweretosailsomeinnocent—lookingcraftdowntoAsparagusIslandandjointheoysterpirates’fleet。
Here，accordingtoNicholas’sdescriptionofthebedsandthemannerofraiding，itwaspossibleforustocatchthepiratesintheactofstealingoysters，andatthesametimetogettheminourpower。Charleywastobeontheshore，withMr。Taft’swatchmenandaposseofconstables，tohelpusattherighttime。
"Iknowjusttheboat，"Neilsaid，attheconclusionofthediscussion，"acrazyoldsloopthat’slyingoveratTiburon。YouandNicholascangooverbytheferry，charteritforasong，andsaildirectforthebeds。"
"Goodluckbewithyou，boys，"hesaidatparting，twodayslater。
"Remember，theyaredangerousmen，sobecareful。"
NicholasandIsucceededincharteringthesloopverycheaply；andbetweenlaughs，whilegettingupsail，weagreedthatshewasevencrazierandolderthanshehadbeendescribed。Shewasabig，flat—bottomed，square—sternedcraft，sloop—rigged，withasprungmast，slackrigging，dilapidatedsails，androttenrunning—gear，clumsytohandleanduncertaininbringingabout，andshesmelledvilelyofcoaltar，withwhichstrangestuffshehadbeensmearedfromstemtosternandfromcabin—rooftocentreboard。Andtocapitall，CoalTarMaggiewasprintedingreatwhitelettersthewholelengthofeitherside。
ItwasanuneventfulthoughlaughablerunfromTiburontoAsparagusIsland，wherewearrivedintheafternoonofthefollowingday。
Theoysterpirates，afleetofadozensloops，werelyingatanchoronwhatwasknownasthe"DesertedBeds。"TheCoalTarMaggiecamesloshingintotheirmidstwithalightbreezeastern，andtheycrowdedondecktoseeus。NicholasandIhadcaughtthespiritofthecrazycraft，andwehandledherinmostlubberlyfashion。
"Wotisit？"someonecalled。
"Nameit’n’yekinhaveit!"calledanother。
"Iswannaow，efitain’ttheoldArkitself!"mimickedtheCentipedefromthedeckoftheGhost。
"Hey!Ahoythere，clippership!"anotherwagshouted。"Wot’syerport？"
Wetooknonoticeofthejoking，butacted，afterthemannerofgreenhorns，asthoughtheCoalTarMaggierequiredourundividedattention。IroundedherwelltowindwardoftheGhost，andNicholasranfor’ardtodroptheanchor。Toallappearancesitwasabungle，thewaythechaintangledandkepttheanchorfromreachingthebottom。AndtoallappearancesNicholasandIwereterriblyexcitedaswestrovetoclearit。Atanyrate，wequitedeceivedthepirates，whotookhugedelightinourpredicament。
Butthechainremainedtangled，andamidallkindsofmockingadvicewedrifteddownuponandfouledtheGhost，whosebowspritpokedsquarethroughourmainsailandrippedaholeinitasbigasabarndoor。TheCentipedeandthePorpoisedoubleduponthecabininparoxysmsoflaughter，andleftustogetclearasbestwecould。This，withmuchunseaman—likeperformance，wesucceededindoing，andlikewiseinclearingtheanchor—chain，ofwhichweletoutaboutthreehundredfeet。Withonlytenfeetofwaterunderus，thiswouldpermittheCoalTarMaggietoswinginacirclesixhundredfeetindiameter，inwhichcircleshewouldbeabletofoulatleasthalfthefleet。
Theoysterpirateslaysnuglytogetheratshorthawsers，theweatherbeingfine，andtheyprotestedloudlyatourignoranceinputtingoutsuchanunwarrantedlengthofanchor—chain。Andnotonlydidtheyprotest，fortheymadeusheaveitinagain，allbutthirtyfeet。
Havingsufficientlyimpressedthemwithourgenerallubberliness，NicholasandIwentbelowtocongratulateourselvesandtocooksupper。Hardlyhadwefinishedthemealandwashedthedishes，whenaskiffgroundagainsttheCoalTarMaggie’sside，andheavyfeettrampledondeck。ThentheCentipede’sbrutalfaceappearedinthecompanionway，andhedescendedintothecabin，followedbythePorpoise。Beforetheycouldseatthemselvesonabunk，anotherskiffcamealongside，andanother，andanother，tillthewholefleetwasrepresentedbythegatheringinthecabin。
"Where’dyouswipetheoldtub？"askedasquatandhairyman，withcrueleyesandMexicanfeatures。
"Didn’tswipeit，"Nicholasanswered，meetingthemontheirowngroundandencouragingtheideathatwehadstolentheCoalTarMaggie。"Andifwedid，whatofit？"
"Well，Idon’tadmireyourtaste，that’sall，"sneeredheoftheMexicanfeatures。"I’drotonthebeachfirstbeforeI’dtakeatubthatcouldn’tgetoutofitsownway。"
"Howwerewetoknowtillwetriedher？"Nicholasasked，soinnocentlyastocausealaugh。"Andhowdoyougettheoysters？"
hehurriedon。"Wewantaloadofthem；that’swhatwecamefor，aloadofoysters。"
"Whatd’yewant’emfor？"demandedthePorpoise。
"Oh，togiveawaytoourfriends，ofcourse，"Nicholasretorted。
"That’swhatyoudowithyours，Isuppose。"
Thisstartedanotherlaugh，andasourvisitorsgrewmoregenialwecouldseethattheyhadnottheslightestsuspicionofouridentityorpurpose。
"Didn’tIseeyouonthedockinOaklandtheotherday？"theCentipedeaskedsuddenlyofme。
"Yep，"Iansweredboldly，takingthebullbythehorns。"Iwaswatchingyoufellowsandfiguringoutwhetherwe’dgooysteringornot。It’saprettygoodbusiness，Icalculate，andsowe’regoinginforit。Thatis，"Ihastenedtoadd，"ifyoufellowsdon’tmind。"
"I’lltellyouonething，whichain’ttwothings，"hereplied，"andthatisyou’llhavetohumpyerselfan’getabetterboat。Wewon’tstandtobedisgracedbyanysuchboxasthis。Understand？"
"Sure，"Isaid。"Soonaswesellsomeoysterswe’lloutfitinstyle。"
"Andifyoushowyerselfsquarean’therightsort，"hewenton，"why，youkinrunwithus。Butifyoudon’t"（herehisvoicebecamesternandmenacing），"why，it’llbethesickestdayofyerlife。Understand？"
"Sure，"Isaid。
Afterthatandmorewarningandadviceofsimilarnature，theconversationbecamegeneral，andwelearnedthatthebedsweretoberaidedthatverynight。Astheygotintotheirboats，afteranhour’sstay，wewereinvitedtojointhemintheraidwiththeassuranceof"themorethemerrier。"
"Didyounoticethatshort，Mexican—lookingchap？"Nicholasasked，whentheyhaddepartedtotheirvarioussloops。"He’sBarchi，oftheSportingLifeGang，andthefellowthatcamewithhimisSkilling。They’rebothoutnowonfivethousanddollars’bail。"
IhadheardoftheSportingLifeGangbefore，acrowdofhoodlumsandcriminalsthatterrorizedthelowerquartersofOakland，andtwo—thirdsofwhichwereusuallytobefoundinstate’sprisonforcrimesthatrangedfromperjuryandballot—boxstuffingtomurder。
"Theyarenotregularoysterpirates，"Nicholascontinued。
"They’vejustcomedownforthelarkandtomakeafewdollars。
Butwe’llhavetowatchoutforthem。"
Wesatinthecockpitanddiscussedthedetailsofourplantilleleveno’clockhadpassed，whenweheardtherattleofanoarinaboatfromthedirectionoftheGhost。Wehauledupourownskiff，tossedinafewsacks，androwedover。Therewefoundalltheskiffsassembling，itbeingtheintentiontoraidthebedsinabody。
Tomysurprise，Ifoundbarelyafootofwaterwherewehaddroppedanchorintenfeet。ItwasthebigJunerun—outofthefullmoon，andastheebbhadyetanhourandahalftorun，Iknewthatouranchoragewouldbedrygroundbeforeslackwater。
Mr。Taft’sbedswerethreemilesaway，andforalongtimewerowedsilentlyinthewakeoftheotherboats，onceinawhilegroundingandouroarbladesconstantlystrikingbottom。Atlastwecameuponsoftmudcoveredwithnotmorethantwoinchesofwater—notenoughtofloattheboats。Butthepiratesatoncewereovertheside，andbypushingandpullingontheflat—bottomedskiffs，wemovedsteadilyalong。
Thefullmoonwaspartlyobscuredbyhigh—flyingclouds，butthepirateswenttheirwaywiththefamiliaritybornoflongpractice。
Afterhalfamileofthemud，wecameuponadeepchannel，upwhichwerowed，withdeadoystershoalsloominghighanddryoneitherside。Atlastwereachedthepickinggrounds。Twomen，ononeoftheshoals，hailedusandwarnedusoff。ButtheCentipede，thePorpoise，Barchi，andSkillingtookthelead，andfollowedbytherestofus，atleastthirtymeninhalfasmanyboats，rowedrightuptothewatchmen。
"You’dbetterslideoutathishere，"Barchisaidthreateningly，"orwe’llfillyousofullofholesyouwouldn’tfloatinmolasses。"
Thewatchmenwiselyretreatedbeforesooverwhelmingaforce，androwedtheirboatalongthechanneltowardwheretheshoreshouldbe。Besides，itwasintheplanforthemtoretreat。
Wehauledthenosesoftheboatsupontheshoresideofabigshoal，andallhands，withsacks，spreadoutandbeganpicking。
Everynowandagainthecloudsthinnedbeforethefaceofthemoon，andwecouldseethebigoystersquitedistinctly。Inalmostnotimesackswerefilledandcarriedbacktotheboats，wherefreshoneswereobtained。NicholasandIreturnedoftenandanxiouslytotheboatswithourlittleloads，butalwaysfoundsomeoneofthepiratescomingorgoing。
"Nevermind，"hesaid；"nohurry。Astheypickfartherandfartheraway，itwilltaketoolongtocarrytotheboats。Thenthey’llstandthefullsacksonendandpickthemupwhenthetidecomesinandtheskiffswillfloattothem。"
Fullyhalfanhourwentby，andthetidehadbeguntoflood，whenthiscametopass。Leavingthepiratesattheirwork，westolebacktotheboats。Onebyone，andnoiselessly，weshovedthemoffandmadethemfastinanawkwardflotilla。Justaswewereshovingoffthelastskiff，ourown，oneofthemencameuponus。ItwasBarchi。Hisquickeyetookinthesituationataglance，andhesprangforus；butwewentclearwithamightyshove，andhewasleftflounderinginthewateroverhishead。Assoonashegotbacktotheshoalheraisedhisvoiceandgavethealarm。
Werowedwithallourstrength，butitwasslowgoingwithsomanyboatsintow。Apistolcrackedfromtheshoal，asecond，andathird；thenaregularfusilladebegan。Thebulletsspatandspatallaboutus；butthickcloudshadcoveredthemoon，andinthedimdarknessitwasnomorethanrandomfiring。Itwasonlybychancethatwecouldbehit。
"Wishwehadalittlesteamlaunch，"Ipanted。
"I’djustassoonthemoonstayedhidden，"Nicholaspantedback。
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