Itwasslowwork，buteverystrokecarriedusfartherawayfromtheshoalandnearertheshore，tillatlasttheshootingdieddown，andwhenthemoondidcomeoutweweretoofarawaytobeindanger。Notlongafterwardweansweredashorewardhail，andtwoWhitehallboats，eachpulledbythreepairsofoars，darteduptous。Charley’swelcomefacebentovertous，andhegrippedusbythehandswhilehecried，"Oh，youjoys!Youjoys!Bothofyou!"

Whentheflotillahadbeenlanded，NicholasandIandawatchmanrowedoutinoneoftheWhitehalls，withCharleyinthestern—

sheets。TwootherWhitehallsfollowedus，andasthemoonnowshonebrightly，weeasilymadeouttheoysterpiratesontheirlonelyshoal。Aswedrewcloser，theyfiredarattlingvolleyfromtheirrevolvers，andwepromptlyretreatedbeyondrange。

"Lotoftime，"Charleysaid。"Thefloodissettinginfast，andbythetimeit’suptotheirneckstherewon’tbeanyfightleftinthem。"

Sowelayonouroarsandwaitedforthetidetodoitswork。Thiswasthepredicamentofthepirates：becauseofthebigrun—out，thetidewasnowrushingbacklikeamill—race，anditwasimpossibleforthestrongestswimmerintheworldtomakeagainstitthethreemilestothesloops。Betweenthepiratesandtheshorewerewe，precludingescapeinthatdirection。Ontheotherhand，thewaterwasrisingrapidlyovertheshoals，anditwasonlyaquestionofafewhourswhenitwouldbeovertheirheads。

Itwasbeautifullycalm，andinthebrilliantwhitemoonlightwewatchedthemthroughournightglassesandtoldCharleyofthevoyageoftheCoalTarMaggie。Oneo’clockcame，andtwoo’clock，andthepirateswereclusteringonthehighestshoal，waist—deepinwater。

"Nowthisillustratesthevalueofimagination，"Charleywassaying。"Tafthasbeentryingforyearstogetthem，buthewentatitwithbullstrengthandfailed。Nowweusedourheads……"

JustthenIheardascarcelyaudiblegurgleofwater，andholdingupmyhandforsilence，Iturnedandpointedtoarippleslowlywideningoutinagrowingcircle。Itwasnotmorethanfiftyfeetfromus。Wekeptperfectlyquietandwaited。Afteraminutethewaterbrokesixfeetaway，andablackheadandwhiteshouldershowedinthemoonlight。Withasnortofsurpriseandofsuddenlyexpelledbreath，theheadandshoulderwentdown。

Wepulledaheadseveralstrokesanddriftedwiththecurrent。Fourpairsofeyessearchedthesurfaceofthewater，butneveranotherrippleshowed，andneveranotherglimpsedidwecatchoftheblackheadandwhiteshoulder。

"It’sthePorpoise，"Nicholassaid。"Itwouldtakebroaddaylightforustocatchhim。"

Ataquartertothreethepiratesgavetheirfirstsignofweakening。Weheardcriesforhelp，intheunmistakablevoiceoftheCentipede，andthistime，onrowingcloser，wewerenotfiredupon。TheCentipedewasinatrulyperilousplight。Onlytheheadsandshouldersofhisfellow—maraudersshowedabovethewaterastheybracedthemselvesagainstthecurrent，whilehisfeetwereoffthebottomandtheyweresupportinghim。

"Now，lads，"Charleysaidbriskly，"wehavegotyou，andyoucan’tgetaway。Ifyoucutuprough，we’llhavetoleaveyoualoneandthewaterwillfinishyou。Butifyou’regoodwe’lltakeyouaboard，onemanatatime，andyou’llallbesaved。Whatdoyousay？"

"Ay，"theychorusedhoarselybetweentheirchatteringteeth。

"Thenonemanatatime，andtheshortmenfirst。"

TheCentipedewasthefirsttobepulledaboard，andhecamewillingly，thoughheobjectedwhentheconstableputthehandcuffsonhim。Barchiwasnexthauledin，quitemeekandresignedfromhissoaking。Whenwehadtenin，ourboatwedrewback，andthesecondWhitehallwasloaded。ThethirdWhitehallreceivednineprisonersonly—acatchoftwenty—nineinall。

"Youdidn’tgetthePorpoise，"theCentipedesaidexultantly，asthoughhisescapemateriallydiminishedoursuccess。

Charleylaughed。"Butwesawhimjustthesame，a—snortingforshorelikeapuffingpig。"

Itwasamildandshiveringbandofpiratesthatwemarchedupthebeachtotheoysterhouse。InanswertoCharley’sknock，thedoorwasflungopen，andapleasantwaveofwarmairrushedoutuponus。

"Youcandryyourclotheshere，lads，andgetsomehotcoffee，"

Charleyannounced，astheyfiledin。

Andthere，sittingruefullybythefire，withasteamingmuginhishand，wasthePorpoise。WithoneaccordNicholasandIlookedatCharley。Helaughedgleefully。

"Thatcomesofimagination，"hesaid。"Whenyouseeathing，you’vegottoseeitallaround，orwhat’sthegoodofseeingitatall？Isawthebeach，soIleftacoupleofconstablesbehindtokeepaneyeonit。That’sall。"

THESIEGEOFTHE"LANCASHIREQUEEN"

PossiblyourmostexasperatingexperienceonthefishpatrolwaswhenCharleyLeGrantandIlaidatwoweeks’siegetoabigfour—

mastedEnglishship。Beforewehadfinishedwiththeaffair，itbecameaprettymathematicalproblem，anditwasbythemerestchancethatwecameintopossessionoftheinstrumentthatbroughtittoasuccessfultermination。

AfterourraidontheoysterpirateswehadreturnedtoOakland，wheretwomoreweekspassedbeforeNeilPartington’swifewasoutofdangerandonthehighroadtorecovery。Soitwasafteranabsenceofamonth，alltold，thatweturnedtheReindeer’snosetowardBenicia。Whenthecat’sawaythemicewillplay，andinthesefourweeksthefishermenhadbecomeveryboldinviolatingthelaw。WhenwepassedPointPedrowenoticedmanysignsofactivityamongtheshrimp—catchers，and，wellintoSanPabloBay，weobservedawidelyscatteredfleetofUpperBayfishing—boatshastilypullingintheirnetsandgettingupsail。

Thiswassuspiciousenoughtowarrantinvestigation，andthefirstandonlyboatwesucceededinboardingprovedtohaveanillegalnet。Thelawpermittednosmallermeshforcatchingshadthanonethatmeasuredsevenandone—halfinchesinsidetheknots，whilethemeshofthisparticularnetmeasuredonlythreeinches。Itwasaflagrantbreachoftherules，andthetwofishermenwereforthwithputunderarrest。NeilPartingtontookoneofthemwithhimtohelpmanagetheReindeer，whileCharleyandIwentonaheadwiththeotherinthecapturedboat。

ButtheshadfleethadheadedovertowardthePetalumashoreinwildflight，andfortherestoftherunthroughSanPabloBaywesawnomorefishermenatall。Ourprisoner，abronzedandbeardedGreek，satsullenlyonhisnetwhilewesailedhiscraft。ItwasanewColumbiaRiversalmonboat，evidentlyonitsfirsttrip，andithandledsplendidly。EvenwhenCharleypraisedit，ourprisonerrefusedtospeakortonoticeus，andwesoongavehimupasamostunsociablefellow。

WeranuptheCarquinezStraitsandedgedintothebightatTurner’sShipyardforsmootherwater。HerewerelyingseveralEnglishsteelsailingships，waitingforthewheatharvest；andhere，mostunexpectedly，inthepreciseplacewherewehadcapturedBigAlec，wecameupontwoItaliansinaskiffthatwasloadedwithacomplete"Chinese"sturgeonline。Thesurprisewasmutual，andwewereontopofthembeforeeithertheyorwewereaware。

Charleyhadbarelytimetoluffintothewindandrunuptothem。

Iranforwardandtossedthemalinewithorderstomakeitfast。

OneoftheItalianstookaturnwithitoveracleat，whileI

hastenedtolowerourbigspritsail。Thisaccomplished，thesalmonboatdroppedastern，draggingheavilyontheskiff。

Charleycameforwardtoboardtheprize，butwhenIproceededtohaulalongsidebymeansoftheline，theItalianscastitoff。Weatoncebegandriftingtoleeward，whiletheygotouttwopairsofoarsandrowedtheirlightcraftdirectlyintothewind。Thismanoeuvreforthemomentdisconcertedus，forinourlargeandheavilyloadedboatwecouldnothopetocatchthemwiththeoars。

Butourprisonercameunexpectedlytoouraid。Hisblackeyeswereflashingeagerly，andhisfacewasflushedwithsuppressedexcitement，ashedroppedthecentre—board，sprangforwardwithasingleleap，andputupthesail。

"I’vealwaysheardthatGreeksdon’tlikeItalians，"Charleylaughed，asheranafttothetiller。

AndneverinmyexperiencehaveIseenamansoanxiousforthecaptureofanotheraswasourprisonerinthechasethatfollowed。

Hiseyesfairlysnapped，andhisnostrilsquiveredanddilatedinamostextraordinaryway。Charleysteeredwhilehetendedthesheet；

andthoughCharleywasasquickandalertasacat，theGreekcouldhardlycontrolhisimpatience。

TheItalianswerecutofffromtheshore，whichwasfullyamileawayatitsnearestpoint。Didtheyattempttomakeit，wecouldhaulafterthemwiththewindabeam，andovertakethembeforetheyhadcoveredaneighthofthedistance。Buttheyweretoowisetoattemptit，contentingthemselveswithrowinglustilytowindwardalongthestarboardsideofabigship，theLancashireQueen。Butbeyondtheshiplayanopenstretchoffullytwomilestotheshoreinthatdirection。This，also，theydarednotattempt，forwewereboundtocatchthembeforetheycouldcoverit。So，whentheyreachedthebowoftheLancashireQueen，nothingremainedbuttopassaroundandrowdownherportsidetowardthestern，whichmeantrowingtoleewardandgivingustheadvantage。

Weinthesalmonboat，sailingcloseonthewind，tackedaboutandcrossedtheship’sbow。ThenCharleyputupthetillerandheadeddowntheportsideoftheship，theGreeklettingoutthesheetandgrinningwithdelight。TheItalianswerealreadyhalf—waydowntheship’slength；butthestiffbreezeatourbackdroveusafterthemfarfasterthantheycouldrow。Closerandcloserwecame，andI，lyingdownforward，wasjustreachingouttograsptheskiff，whenitduckedunderthegreatsternoftheLancashireQueen。

Thechasewasvirtuallywhereithadbegun。TheItalianswererowingupthestarboardsideoftheship，andwewerehauledcloseonthewindandslowlyedgingoutfromtheshipasweworkedtowindward。Thentheydartedaroundherbowandbegantherowdownherportside，andwetackedabout，crossedherbow，andwentplungingdownthewindhotafterthem。Andagain，justasIwasreachingfortheskiff，itduckedundertheship’ssternandoutofdanger。Andsoitwent，aroundandaround，theskiffeachtimejustbarelyduckingintosafety。

Bythistimetheship’screwhadbecomeawareofwhatwastakingplace，andwecouldseetheirheadsinalongrowastheylookedatusoverthebulwarks。Eachtimewemissedtheskiffatthestern，theysetupawildcheeranddashedacrosstotheothersideoftheLancashireQueentoseethechasetowind—ward。TheyshoweredusandtheItalianswithjokesandadvice，andmadeourGreeksoangrythatatleastonceoneachcircuitheraisedhisfistandshookitattheminarage。Theycametolookforthis，andateachdisplaygreeteditwithuproariousmirth。

"Wotacircus!"criedone。

"Torkaboutyermarinehippodromes，—ifthisain’tone，I’dliketoknow!"affirmedanother。

"Six—days—go—as—yer—please，"announcedathird。"Whosaysthedagoeswon’twin？"

OnthenexttacktowindwardtheGreekofferedtochangeplaceswithCharley。

"Let—amesail—adeboat，"hedemanded。"Ifix—athem，Icatch—athem，sure。"

ThiswasastrokeatCharley’sprofessionalpride，forpridehimselfhediduponhisboat—sailingabilities；butheyieldedthetillertotheprisonerandtookhisplaceatthesheet。Threetimesagainwemadethecircuit，andtheGreekfoundthathecouldgetnomorespeedoutofthesalmonboatthanCharleyhad。

"Bettergiveitup，"oneofthesailorsadvisedfromabove。

TheGreekscowledferociouslyandshookhisfistinhiscustomaryfashion。Inthemeanwhilemymindhadnotbeenidle，andIhadfinallyevolvedanidea。

"Keepgoing，Charley，onetimemore，"Isaid。

Andaswelaidoutonthenexttacktowind—ward，IbentapieceoflinetoasmallgrapplinghookIhadseenlyinginthebail—hole。

TheendofthelineImadefasttothering—boltinthebow，andwiththehookoutofsightIwaitedforthenextopportunitytouseit。OncemoretheymadetheirleewardpulldowntheportsideoftheLancashireQueen，andoncemorewechurneddownafterthembeforethewind。Nearerandnearerwedrew，andIwasmakingbelievetoreachforthemasbefore。Thesternoftheskiffwasnotsixfeetaway，andtheywerelaughingatmederisivelyastheyduckedundertheship’sstern。AtthatinstantIsuddenlyaroseandthrewthegrapplingiron。Itcaughtfairlyandsquarelyontherailoftheskiff，whichwasjerkedbackwardoutofsafetyastheropetautenedandthesalmonboatploughedon。

Agroanwentupfromtherowofsailorsabove，whichquicklychangedtoacheerasoneoftheItalianswhippedoutalongsheath—knifeandcuttherope。Butwehaddrawnthemoutofsafety，andCharley，fromhisplaceinthestern—sheets，reachedoverandclutchedthesternoftheskiff。Thewholethinghappenedinasecondoftime，forthefirstItalianwascuttingtheropeandCharleywasclutchingtheskiffwhenthesecondItaliandealthimarapovertheheadwithanoar，Charleyreleasedhisholdandcollapsed，stunned，intothebottomofthesalmonboat，andtheItaliansbenttotheiroarsandescapedbackundertheship’sstern。

TheGreektookbothtillerandsheetandcontinuedthechasearoundtheLancashireQueen，whileIattendedtoCharley，onwhoseheadanastylumpwasrapidlyrising。Oursailoraudiencewaswildwithdelight，andtoamanencouragedthefleeingItalians。Charleysatup，withonehandonhishead，andgazedabouthimsheepishly。

"Itwillneverdotoletthemescapenow，"hesaid，atthesametimedrawinghisrevolver。

Onournextcircuit，hethreatenedtheItalianswiththeweapon；

buttheyrowedonstolidly，keepingsplendidstrokeandutterlydisregardinghim。

"Ifyoudon’tstop，I’llshoot，"Charleysaidmenacingly。

Butthishadnoeffect，norweretheytobefrightenedintosurrenderingevenwhenhefiredseveralshotsdangerouslyclosetothem。Itwastoomuchtoexpecthimtoshootunarmedmen，andthistheyknewaswellaswedid；sotheycontinuedtopulldoggedlyroundandroundtheship。

"We’llrunthemdown，then!"Charleyexclaimed。"We’llwearthemoutandwindthem!"

Sothechasecontinued。TwentytimesmoreweranthemaroundtheLancashireQueen，andatlastwecouldseethateventheirironmusclesweregivingout。Theywerenearlyexhausted，anditwasonlyamatterofafewmorecircuits，whenthegametookonanewfeature。Ontherowtowindwardtheyalwaysgainedonus，sothattheywerehalf—waydowntheship’ssideontherowtoleewardwhenwewerepassingthebow。Butthislasttime，aswepassedthebow，wesawthemescapinguptheship’sgangway，whichhadbeensuddenlylowered。Itwasanorganizedmoveonthepartofthesailors，evidentlycountenancedbythecaptain；forbythetimewearrivedwherethegangwayhadbeen，itwasbeinghoistedup，andtheskiff，slungintheship’sdavits，waslikewiseflyingaloftoutofreach。

Theparleythatfollowedwiththecaptainwasshortandsnappy。HeabsolutelyforbadeustoboardtheLancashireQueen，andasabsolutelyrefusedtogiveupthetwomen。BythistimeCharleywasasenragedastheGreek。Notonlyhadhebeenfoiledinalongandridiculouschase，buthehadbeenknockedsenselessintothebottomofhisboatbythemenwhohadescapedhim。

"Knockoffmyheadwithlittleapples，"hedeclaredemphatically，strikingthefistofonehandintothepalmoftheother，"ifthosetwomeneverescapeme!I’llstayheretogetthemifittakestherestofmynaturallife，andifIdon’tgetthem，thenIpromiseyouI’llliveunnaturallylongoruntilIdogetthem，ormyname’snotCharleyLeGrant!"

AndthenbeganthesiegeoftheLancashireQueen，asiegememorableintheannalsofbothfishermenandfishpatrol。WhentheReindeercamealong，afterafruitlesspursuitoftheshadfleet，CharleyinstructedNeilPartingtontosendouthisownsalmonboat，withblankets，provisions，andafisherman’scharcoalstove。Bysunsetthisexchangeofboatswasmade，andwesaidgood—bytoourGreek，whoperforcehadtogointoBeniciaandbelockedupforhisownviolationofthelaw。Aftersupper，CharleyandIkeptalternatefour—hourwatchestillday—light。Thefishermenmadenoattempttoescapethatnight，thoughtheshipsentoutaboatforscoutingpurposestofindifthecoastwereclear。

Bythenextdaywesawthatasteadysiegewasinorder，andweperfectedourplanswithaneyetoourowncomfort。Adock，knownastheSolanoWharf，whichranoutfromtheBeniciashore，helpedusinthis。IthappenedthattheLancashireQueen，theshoreatTurner’sShipyard，andtheSolanoWharfwerethecornersofabigequilateraltriangle。Fromshiptoshore，thesideofthetrianglealongwhichtheItalianshadtoescape，wasadistanceequaltothatfromtheSolanoWharftotheshore，thesideofthetrianglealongwhichwehadtotraveltogettotheshorebeforetheItalians。Butaswecouldsailmuchfasterthantheycouldrow，wecouldpermitthemtotravelabouthalftheirsideofthetrianglebeforewedartedoutalongourside。Ifweallowedthemtogetmorethanhalf—way，theywerecertaintobeatustoshore；whileifwestartedbeforetheywerehalf—way，theywereequallycertaintobeatusbacktotheship。

Wefoundthatanimaginaryline，drawnfromtheendofthewharftoawindmillfartheralongtheshore，cutpreciselyinhalfthelineofthetrianglealongwhichtheItaliansmustescapetoreachtheland。Thislinemadeiteasyforustodeterminehowfartoletthemrunawaybeforewebestirredourselvesinpursuit。Dayafterdaywewouldwatchthemthroughourglassesastheyrowedleisurelyalongtowardthehalf—waypoint；andastheydrewcloseintolinewiththewindmill，wewouldleapintotheboatandgetupsail。Atsightofourpreparation，theywouldturnandrowslowlybacktotheLancashireQueen，secureintheknowledgethatwecouldnotovertakethem。

Toguardagainstcalms—whenoursalmonboatwouldbeuseless—wealsohadinreadinessalightrowingskiffequippedwithspoon—

oars。Butatsuchtimes，whenthewindfailedus，wewereforcedtorowoutfromthewharfassoonastheyrowedfromtheship。Inthenight—time，ontheotherhand，wewerecompelledtopatroltheimmediatevicinityoftheship；whichwedid，CharleyandI

standingfour—hourwatchesturnandturnabout。TheItalians，however，preferredthedaytimeinwhichtoescape，andsoourlongnightvigilswerewithoutresult。

"Whatmakesmemad，"saidCharley，"isourbeingkeptfromourhonestbedswhilethoserascallylawbreakersaresleepingsoundlyeverynight。Butmuchgoodmayitdothem，"hethreatened。"I’llkeepthemonthatshiptillthecaptainchargesthemboard，assureasasturgeon’snotacatfish!"

Itwasatantalizingproblemthatconfrontedus。Aslongaswewerevigilant，theycouldnotescape；andaslongastheywerecareful，wewouldbeunabletocatchthem。Charleycudgelledhisbrainscontinually，butforoncehisimaginationfailedhim。Itwasaproblemapparentlywithoutothersolutionthanthatofpatience。Itwasawaitinggame，andwhicheverwaitedthelongerwasboundtowin。Toaddtoourirritation，friendsoftheItaliansestablishedacodeofsignalswiththemfromtheshore，sothatweneverdaredrelaxthesiegeforamoment。Andbesidesthis，therewerealwaysoneortwosuspicious—lookingfishermenhangingaroundtheSolanoWharfandkeepingwatchonouractions。

Wecoulddonothingbut"grinandbearit，"asCharleysaid，whileittookupallourtimeandpreventedusfromdoingotherwork。

Thedayswentby，andtherewasnochangeinthesituation。Notthatnoattemptsweremadetochangeit。OnenightfriendsfromtheshorecameoutinaskiffandattemptedtoconfuseuswhilethetwoItaliansescaped。Thattheydidnotsucceedwasduetothelackofalittleoilontheship’sdavits。Forweweredrawnbackfromthepursuitofthestrangeboatbythecreakingofthedavits，andarrivedattheLancashireQueenjustastheItalianswereloweringtheirskiff。Anothernight，fullyhalfadozenskiffsrowedaroundusinthedarkness，butweheldonlikealeechtothesideoftheshipandfrustratedtheirplantilltheygrewangryandshowereduswithabuse。Charleylaughedtohimselfinthebottomoftheboat。

"It’sagoodsign，lad，"hesaidtome。"Whenmenbegintoabuse，makesurethey’relosingpatience；andshortlyaftertheylosepatience，theylosetheirheads。Markmywords，ifweonlyholdout，they’llgetcarelesssomefineday，andthenwe’llgetthem。"

Buttheydidnotgrowcareless，andCharleyconfessedthatthiswasoneofthetimeswhenallsignsfailed。Theirpatienceseemedequaltoours，andthesecondweekofthesiegedraggedmonotonouslyalong。ThenCharley’slaggingimaginationquickenedsufficientlytosuggestaruse。PeterBoyelen，anewpatrolmanandoneunknowntothefisher—folk，happenedtoarriveinBeniciaandwetookhimintoourplan。Wewereassecretaspossibleaboutit，butinsomeunfathomablewaythefriendsashoregotwordtothebeleagueredItalianstokeeptheireyesopen。

Onthenightweweretoputourruseintoeffect，CharleyandI

tookupourusualstationinourrowingskiffalongsidetheLancashireQueen。Afteritwasthoroughlydark，PeterBoyelencameoutinacrazyduckboat，thekindyoucanpickupandcarryawayunderonearm。Whenweheardhimcomingalong，paddlingnoisily，weslippedawayashortdistanceintothedarkness，andrestedonouroars。Oppositethegangway，havingjoviallyhailedtheanchor—

watchoftheLancashireQueenandaskedthedirectionoftheScottishChiefs，anotherwheatship，heawkwardlycapsizedhimself。

Themanwhowasstandingtheanchor—watchrandownthegangwayandhauledhimoutofthewater。Thiswaswhathewanted，togetaboardtheship；andthenextthingheexpectedwastobetakenondeckandthenbelowtowarmupanddryout。Butthecaptaininhospitablykepthimperchedonthelowestgang—waystep，shiveringmiserablyandwithhisfeetdanglinginthewater，tillwe，outofverypity，rowedinfromthedarknessandtookhimoff。

Thejokesandgibesoftheawakenedcrewsoundedanythingbutsweetinourears，andeventhetwoItaliansclimbedupontherailandlaugheddownatuslongandmaliciously。

"That’sallright，"Charleysaidinalowvoice，whichIonlycouldhear。"I’mmightygladit’snotusthat’slaughingfirst。We’llsaveourlaughtotheend，eh，lad？"

Heclappedahandonmyshoulderashefinished，butitseemedtomethattherewasmoredeterminationthanhopeinhisvoice。

ItwouldhavebeenpossibleforustosecuretheaidofUnitedStatesmarshalsandboardtheEnglishship，backedbyGovernmentauthority。ButtheinstructionsoftheFishCommissionweretotheeffectthatthepatrolmenshouldavoidcomplications，andthisone，didwecallonthehigherpowers，mightwellendinaprettyinternationaltangle。

Thesecondweekofthesiegedrewtoitsclose，andtherewasnosignofchangeinthesituation。Onthemorningofthefourteenthdaythechangecame，anditcameinaguiseasunexpectedandstartlingtousasitwastothemenwewerestrivingtocapture。

CharleyandI，afterourcustomarynightvigilbythesideoftheLancashireQueen，rowedintotheSolanaWharf。

"Hello!"criedCharley，insurprise。"Inthenameofreasonandcommonsense，whatisthat？Ofallunmannerlycraftdidyoueverseethelike？"

Wellmightheexclaim，forthere，tieduptothedock，laythestrangestlookinglaunchIhadeverseen。Notthatitcouldbecalledalaunch，either，butitseemedtoresemblealaunchmorethananyotherkindofboat。Itwasseventyfeetlong，butsonarrowwasit，andsobareofsuperstructure，thatitappearedmuchsmallerthanitreallywas。Itwasbuiltwhollyofsteel，andwaspaintedblack。Threesmokestacks，agooddistanceapartandrakingwellaft，aroseinsinglefileamidships；whilethebow，longandleanandsharpasaknife，plainlyadvertisedthattheboatwasmadeforspeed。Passingunderthestern，wereadStreak，paintedinsmallwhiteletters。

CharleyandIwereconsumedwithcuriosity。Inafewminuteswewereonboardandtalkingwithanengineerwhowaswatchingthesunrisefromthedeck。Hewasquitewillingtosatisfyourcuriosity，andinafewminuteswelearnedthattheStreakhadcomeinafterdarkfromSanFrancisco；thatthiswaswhatmightbecalledthetrialtrip；andthatshewasthepropertyofSilasTate，ayoungminingmillionaireofCalifornia，whosefadwashigh—speedyachts。Therewassometalkaboutturbineengines，directapplicationofsteam，andtheabsenceofpistons，rods，andcranks，—allofwhichwasbeyondme，forIwasfamiliaronlywithsailingcraft；butIdidunderstandthelastwordsoftheengineer。

"Fourthousandhorse—powerandforty—fivemilesanhour，thoughyouwouldn’tthinkit，"heconcludedproudly。

"Sayitagain，man!Sayitagain!"Charleyexclaimedinanexcitedvoice。

"Fourthousandhorse—powerandforty—fivemilesanhour，"theengineerrepeated，grinninggood—naturedly。

"Where’stheowner？"wasCharley’snextquestion。"IsthereanywayIcanspeaktohim？"

Theengineershookhishead。"No，I’mafraidnot。He’sasleep，yousee。"

Atthatmomentayoungmaninblueuniformcameondeckfartheraftandstoodregardingthesunrise。

"Thereheis，that’shim，that’sMr。Tate，"saidtheengineer。

Charleywalkedaftandspoketohim，andwhilehetalkedearnestlytheyoungmanlistenedwithanamusedexpressiononhisface。HemusthaveinquiredaboutthedepthofwatercloseintotheshoreatTurner’sShipyard，forIcouldseeCharleymakinggesturesandexplaining。Afewminuteslaterhecamebackinhighglee。

"Comeonlad，"hesaid。"Ontothedockwithyou。We’vegotthem!"

ItwasourgoodfortunetoleavetheStreakwhenwedid，foralittlelateroneofthespyfishermenappeared。CharleyandItookupouraccustomedplaces，onthestringer—piece，alittleaheadoftheStreakandoverourownboat，wherewecouldcomfortablywatchtheLancashireQueen。Nothingoccurredtillaboutnineo’clock，whenwesawthetwoItaliansleavetheshipandpullalongtheirsideofthetriangletowardtheshore。Charleylookedasunconcernedascouldbe，butbeforetheyhadcoveredaquarterofthedistance，hewhisperedtome：

"Forty—fivemilesanhour……nothingcansavethem……theyareours!"

Slowlythetwomenrowedalongtilltheywerenearlyinlinewiththewindmill。Thiswasthepointwherewealwaysjumpedintooursalmonboatandgotupthesail，andthetwomen，evidentlyexpectingit，seemedsurprisedwhenwegavenosign。

Whentheyweredirectlyinlinewiththewindmill，asneartotheshoreastotheship，andnearertheshorethanwehadeverallowedthembefore，theygrewsuspicious。Wefollowedthemthroughtheglasses，andsawthemstandingupintheskiffandtryingtofindoutwhatweweredoing。Thespyfisherman，sittingbesideusonthestringer—piecewaslikewisepuzzled。Hecouldnotunderstandourinactivity。Themenintheskiffrowednearertheshore，butstoodupagainandscannedit，asiftheythoughtwemightbeinhidingthere。Butamancameoutonthebeachandwavedahandkerchieftoindicatethatthecoastwasclear。Thatsettledthem。Theybenttotheoarstomakeadashforit。StillCharleywaited。Notuntiltheyhadcoveredthree—quartersofthedistancefromtheLancashireQueen，whichleftthemhardlymorethanaquarterofamiletogaintheshore，didCharleyslapmeontheshoulderandcry：

"They’reours!They’reours!"

WeranthefewstepstothesideoftheStreakandjumpedaboard。

Sternandbowlineswerecastoffinajiffy。TheStreakshotaheadandawayfromthewharf。Thespyfishermanwehadleftbehindonthestringer—piecepulledoutarevolverandfiredfiveshotsintotheairinrapidsuccession。Themenintheskiffgaveinstantheedtothewarning，forwecouldseethempullingawaylikemad。

Butiftheypulledlikemad，Iwonderhowourprogresscanbedescribed？Wefairlyflew。Sofrightfulwasthespeedwithwhichwedisplacedthewater，thatawaveroseuponeithersideourbowandfoamedaftinaseriesofthreestiff，up—standingwaves，whileasternagreatcrestedbillowpursuedushungrily，asthoughateachmomentitwouldfallaboardanddestroyus。TheStreakwaspulsingandvibratingandroaringlikeathingalive。Thewindofourprogresswaslikeagale—aforty—five—milegale。Wecouldnotfaceitanddrawbreathwithoutchokingandstrangling。Itblewthesmokestraightbackfromthemouthsofthesmoke—stacksatadirectrightangletotheperpendicular。Infact，weweretravellingasfastasanexpresstrain。"Wejuststreakedit，"wasthewayCharleytolditafterward，andIthinkhisdescriptioncomesnearerthananyIcangive。

AsfortheItaliansintheskiff—hardlyhadwestarted，itseemedtome，whenwewereontopofthem。Naturally，wehadtoslowdownlongbeforewegottothem；buteventhenweshotpastlikeawhirlwindandwerecompelledtocirclebackbetweenthemandtheshore。Theyhadrowedsteadily，risingfromthethwartsateverystroke，uptothemomentwepassedthem，whentheyrecognizedCharleyandme。Thattookthelastbitoffightoutofthem。Theyhauledintheiroars，andsullenlysubmittedtoarrest。

"Well，Charley，"NeilPartingtonsaid，aswediscusseditonthewharfafterward，"Ifailtoseewhereyourboastedimaginationcameintoplaythistime。"

ButCharleywastruetohishobby。"Imagination？"hedemanded，pointingtotheStreak。"Lookatthat!justlookatit!Iftheinventionofthatisn’timagination，Ishouldliketoknowwhatis。"

"Ofcourse，"headded，"it’stheotherfellow’simagination，butitdidtheworkallthesame。"

CHARLEY’SCOUP

Perhapsourmostlaughableexploitonthefishpatrol，andatthesametimeourmostdangerousone，waswhenweroundedin，atasinglehaul，anevenscoreofwrathfulfishermen。Charleycalledita"coop，"havingheardNeilPartingtonusetheterm；butIthinkhemisunderstoodtheword，andthoughtitmeant"coop，"tocatch，totrap。Thefishermen，however，couporcoop，musthavecalleditaWaterloo，foritwasthesevereststrokeeverdealtthembythefishpatrol，whiletheyhadinviteditbyopenandimpudentdefianceofthelaw。

Duringwhatiscalledthe"openseason"thefishermenmightcatchasmanysalmonastheirluckallowedandtheirboatscouldhold。

Buttherewasoneimportantrestriction。Fromsun—downSaturdaynighttosun—upMondaymorning，theywerenotpermittedtosetanet。ThiswasawiseprovisiononthepartoftheFishCommission，foritwasnecessarytogivethespawningsalmonsomeopportunitytoascendtheriverandlaytheireggs。Andthislaw，withonlyanoccasionalviolation，hadbeenobedientlyobservedbytheGreekfishermenwhocaughtsalmonforthecanneriesandthemarket。

OneSundaymorning，CharleyreceivedatelephonecallfromafriendinCollinsville，whotoldhimthatthefullforceoffishermenwasoutwithitsnets。CharleyandIjumpedintooursalmonboatandstartedforthesceneofthetrouble。WithalightfavoringwindatourbackwewentthroughtheCarquinezStraits，crossedSuisunBay，passedtheShipIslandLight，andcameuponthewholefleetatwork。

Butfirstletmedescribethemethodbywhichtheyworked。Thenetusediswhatisknownasagill—net。Ithasasimplediamond—

shapedmeshwhichmeasuresatleastsevenandone—halfinchesbetweentheknots。Fromfivetosevenandeveneighthundredfeetinlength，thesenetsareonlyafewfeetwide。Theyarenotstationary，butfloatwiththecurrent，theupperedgesupportedonthesurfacebyfloats，theloweredgesunkbymeansofleadenweights，Thisarrangementkeepsthenetuprightinthecurrentandeffectuallypreventsallbutthesmallerfishfromascendingtheriver。Thesalmon，swimmingnearthesurface，asistheircustom，runtheirheadsthroughthesemeshes，andarepreventedfromgoingonthroughbytheirlargergirthofbody，andfromgoingbackbecauseoftheirgills，whichcatchinthemesh。Itrequirestwofishermentosetsuchanet，—onetorowtheboat，whiletheother，standinginthestern，carefullypaysoutthenet。Whenitisallout，stretchingdirectlyacrossthestream，themenmaketheirboatfasttooneendofthenetanddriftalongwithit。

Aswecameuponthefleetoflaw—breakingfishermen，eachboattwoorthreehundredyardsfromitsneighbors，andboatsandnetsdottingtheriverasfaraswecouldsee，Charleysaid：

"I’veonlyoneregret，lad，andthatisthatIhave’ntathousandarmssoastobeabletocatchthemall。Asitis，we’llonlybeabletocatchoneboat，forwhilewearetacklingthatoneitwillbeupnetsandawaywiththerest。"

Aswedrewcloser，weobservednoneoftheusualflurryandexcitementwhichourappearanceinvariablyproduced。Instead，eachboatlayquietlybyitsnet，whilethefishermenfavoreduswithnottheslightestattention。

"It’scurious，"Charleymuttered。"Canitbetheydon’trecognizeus？"

Isaidthatitwasimpossible，andCharleyagreed；yettherewasawholefleet，mannedbymenwhoknewusonlytoowell，andwhotooknomorenoticeofusthanifwewereahayscoworapleasureyacht。

Thisdidnotcontinuetobethecase，however，forasweboredownuponthenearestnet，thementowhomitbelongeddetachedtheirboatandrowedslowlytowardtheshore。Therestoftheboatsshowedno，signofuneasiness。

"That’sfunny，"wasCharley’sremark。"Butwecanconfiscatethenet，atanyrate。"

Weloweredsail，pickeduponeendofthenet，andbegantoheaveitintotheboat。Butatthefirstheaveweheardabulletzip—

zippingpastusonthewater，followedbythefaintreportofarifle。Themenwhohadrowedashorewereshootingatus。Atthenextheaveasecondbulletwentzippingpast，perilouslynear。

Charleytookaturnaroundapinandsatdown。Therewerenomoreshots。Butassoonashebegantoheavein，theshootingrecommenced。

"Thatsettlesit，"hesaid，flingingtheendofthenetoverboard。

"Youfellowswantitworsethanwedo，andyoucanhaveit。"

Werowedovertowardthenextnet，forCharleywasintentonfindingoutwhetherornotwewerefacetofacewithanorganizeddefiance。Asweapproached，thetwofishermenproceededtocastofffromtheirnetandrowashore，whilethefirsttworowedbackandmadefasttothenetwehadabandoned。Andatthesecondnetweweregreetedbyrifleshotstillwedesistedandwentontothethird，wherethemanoeuvrewasagainrepeated。

Thenwegaveitup，completelyrouted，andhoistedsailandstartedonthelongwindwardbeatbacktoBenicia。AnumberofSundayswentby，oneachofwhichthelawwaspersistentlyviolated。Yet，shortofanarmedforceofsoldiers，wecoulddonothing。Thefishermenhadhituponanewideaandwereusingitforallitwasworth，whilethereseemednowaybywhichwecouldgetthebetterofthem。

AboutthistimeNeilPartingtonhappenedalongfromtheLowerBay，wherehehadbeenforanumberofweeks。WithhimwasNicholas，theGreekboywhohadhelpedusinourraidontheoysterpirates，andthepairofthemtookahand。Wemadeourarrangementscarefully。ItwasplannedthatwhileCharleyandItackledthenets，theyweretobehiddenashoresoastoambushthefishermenwholandedtoshootatus。

Itwasaprettyplan。EvenCharleysaiditwas。ButwereckonednothalfsowellastheGreeks。TheyforestalledusbyambushingNeilandNicholasandtakingthemprisoners，while，asofold，bulletswhistledaboutourearswhenCharleyandIattemptedtotakepossessionofthenets。Whenwewereagainbeatenoff，NeilPartingtonandNicholaswerereleased。Theywererathershamefacedwhentheyputinanappearance，andCharleychaffedthemunmercifully。ButNeilchaffedback，demandingtoknowwhyCharley’simaginationhadnotlongsinceovercomethedifficulty。

"Justyouwait；theidea’llcomeallright，"Charleypromised。

"Mostprobably，"Neilagreed。"ButI’mafraidthesalmonwillbeexterminatedfirst，andthentherewillbenoneedforitwhenitdoescome。"

NeilPartington，highlydisgustedwithhisadventure，departedfortheLowerBay，takingNicholaswithhim，andCharleyandIwerelefttoourownresources。ThismeantthattheSundayfishingwouldbelefttoitself，too，untilsuchtimeasCharley’sideahappenedalong。IpuzzledmyheadagooddealtofindoutsomewayofcheckmatingtheGreeks，asalsodidCharley，andwebroachedathousandexpedientswhichondiscussionprovedworthless。

Thefishermen，ontheotherhand，wereinhighfeather，andtheirboastswentupanddowntherivertoaddtoourdiscomfiture。

Amongallclassesofthemwebecameawareofagrowinginsubordination。Wewerebeaten，andtheywerelosingrespectforus。Withthelossofrespect，contemptbegantoarise。Charleybegantobespokenofasthe"oldawoman，"andIreceivedmyratingasthe"pee—weekid。"Thesituationwasfastbecomingunbearable，andweknewthatweshouldhavetodeliverastunningstrokeattheGreeksinordertoregaintheold—timerespectinwhichwehadstood。

Thenonemorningtheideacame。WeweredownonSteamboatWharf，wheretheriversteamersmadetheirlandings，andwherewefoundagroupofamusedlong—shoremenandloaferslisteningtothehard—

lucktaleofasleepy—eyedyoungfellowinlongsea—boots。Hewasasortofamateurfisherman，hesaid，fishingforthelocalmarketofBerkeley。NowBerkeleywasontheLowerBay，thirtymilesaway。

Onthepreviousnight，hesaid，hehadsethisnetanddozedofftosleepinthebottomoftheboat。

Thenextheknewitwasmorning，andheopenedhiseyestofindhisboatrubbingsoftlyagainstthepilesofSteamboatWharfatBenicia。AlsohesawtheriversteamerApachelyingaheadofhim，andacoupleofdeck—handsdisentanglingtheshredsofhisnetfromthepaddle—wheel。Inshort，afterhehadgonetosleep，hisfisherman’sridinglighthadgoneout，andtheApachehadrunoverhisnet。Thoughtornprettywelltopieces，thenetinsomewaystillremainedfoul，andhehadhadathirty—miletowoutofhiscourse。

Charleynudgedmewithhiselbow。Igraspedhisthoughtontheinstant，butobjected：

"Wecan’tcharterasteamboat。"

"Don’tintendto，"herejoined。"Butlet’srunovertoTurner’sShipyard。I’vesomethinginmymindtherethatmaybeofusetous。"

Andoverwewenttotheshipyard，whereCharleyledthewaytotheMaryRebecca，lyinghauledoutontheways，whereshewasbeingcleanedandoverhauled。Shewasascow—schoonerwebothknewwell，carryingacargoofonehundredandfortytonsandaspreadofcanvasgreaterthanotherschooneronthebay。

"Howd’yedo，Ole，"Charleygreetedabigblue—shirtedSwedewhowasgreasingthejawsofthemaingaffwithapieceofporkrind。

Olegrunted，puffedawayathispipe，andwentongreasing。Thecaptainofabayschoonerissupposedtoworkwithhishandsjustaswellasthemen。

OleEricsenverifiedCharley’sconjecturethattheMaryRebecca，assoonaslaunched，wouldrunuptheSanJoaquinRivernearlytoStocktonforaloadofwheat。ThenCharleymadehisproposition，andOleEricsenshookhishead。

"Justahook，onegood—sizedhook，"Charleypleaded。

"No，Aytanknot，"saidOleEricsen。"DerMaryRebeccayusthanguponeferymud—bankwiththathook。Aydon’twanttolosederMaryRebecca。She’sallAygot。"

"No，no，"Charleyhurriedtoexplain。"Wecanputtheendofthehookthroughthebottomfromtheoutside，andfastenitontheinsidewithanut。Afterit’sdoneitswork，why，allwehavetodoistogodownintothehold，unscrewthenut，andoutdropsthehook。Thendriveawoodenpegintothehole，andtheMaryRebeccawillbeallrightagain。"

OleEricsenwasobstinateforalongtime；butintheend，afterwehadhaddinnerwithhim，hewasbroughtroundtoconsent。

"Aydoit，byYupiter!"hesaid，strikingonehugefistintothepalmoftheotherhand。"Butyusthurryyouupwidderhook。DerMaryRebeccaslidesintoderwaterto—night。"

ItwasSaturday，andCharleyhadneedtohurry。Weheadedfortheshipyardblacksmithshop，where，underCharley’sdirections，amostgenerouslycurvedbookofheavysteelwasmade。BackwehastenedtotheMaryRebecca。Aftofthegreatcentre—boardcase，throughwhatwasproperlyherkeel，aholewasbored。Theendofthehookwasinsertedfromtheoutside，andCharley，ontheinside，screwedthenutontightly。Asitstoodcomplete，thehookprojectedoverafootbeneaththebottomoftheschooner。Itscurvewassomethinglikethecurveofasickle，butdeeper。

InthelateafternoontheMaryRebeccawaslaunched，andpreparationswerefinishedforthestartup—rivernextmorning。

CharleyandOleintentlystudiedtheeveningskyforsignsofwind，forwithoutagoodbreezeourprojectwasdoomedtofailure。Theyagreedthattherewereallthesignsofastiffwesterlywind—nottheordinaryafternoonsea—breeze，butahalf—gale，whicheventhenwasspringingup。

Nextmorningfoundtheirpredictionsverified。Thesunwasshiningbrightly，butsomethingmorethanahalf—galewasshriekinguptheCarquinezStraits，andtheMaryRebeccagotunderwaywithtworeefsinhermainsailandoneinherforesail。WefounditquiteroughintheStraitsandinSuisunBay；butasthewatergrewmoreland—lockeditbecamecalm，thoughwithoutlet—upinthewind。

OffShipIslandLightthereefswereshakenout，andatCharley’ssuggestionabigfisherman’sstaysailwasmadeallreadyforhoisting，andthemaintopsail，bunchedintoacapatthemasthead，wasoverhauledsothatitcouldbesetonaninstant’snotice。

Weweretearingalong，wing—and—wing，beforethewind，foresailtostarboardandmainsailtoport，aswecameuponthesalmonfleet。

Theretheywere，boatsandnets，asonthatfirstSundaywhentheyhadbestedus，strungoutevenlyovertheriverasfaraswecouldsee。Anarrowspaceontheright—handsideofthechannelwasleftclearforsteamboats，buttherestoftheriverwascoveredwiththewide—stretchingnets。Thenarrowspacewasourlogicalcourse，butCharley，atthewheel，steeredtheMaryRebeccastraightforthenets。Thisdidnotcauseanyalarmamongthefishermen，becauseup—riversailingcraftarealwaysprovidedwith"shoes"ontheendsoftheirkeels，whichpermitthemtoslipoverthenetswithoutfoulingthem。

"Nowshetakesit!"Charleycried，aswedashedacrossthemiddleofalineoffloatswhichmarkedanet。Atoneendofthislinewasasmallbarrelbuoy，attheotherthetwofishermenintheirboat。Buoyandboatatoncebegantodrawtogether，andthefishermentocryout，astheywerejerkedafterus。Acoupleofminuteslaterwehookedasecondnet，andthenathird，andinthisfashionwetorestraightupthroughthecentreofthefleet。

Theconsternationwespreadamongthefishermenwastremendous。Asfastaswehookedanetthetwoendsofit，buoyandboat，cametogetherastheydraggedoutastern；andsomanybuoysandboats，comingtogetheratsuchbreakneckspeed，keptthefishermenonthejumptoavoidsmashingintooneanother。Also，theyshoutedatuslikemadtoheavetointothewind，fortheytookitassomedrunkenprankonthepartofscow—sailors，littledreamingthatwewerethefishpatrol。

Thedragofasinglenetisveryheavy，andCharleyandOleEricsendecidedthateveninsuchawindtennetswerealltheMaryRebeccacouldtakealongwithher。Sowhenwehadhookedtennets，withtenboatscontainingtwentymenstreamingalongbehindus，weveeredtotheleftoutofthefleetandheadedtowardCollinsville。

Wewerealljubilant。Charleywashandlingthewheelasthoughheweresteeringthewinningyachthomeinarace。ThetwosailorswhomadeupthecrewoftheMaryRebecca，weregrinningandjoking。

OleEricsenwasrubbinghishugehandsinchild—likeglee。

"AytankyoufishpatrolfallersneverbansoluckyaswhenyousailwithOleEricsen，"hewassaying，whenariflecrackedsharplyastern，andabulletgougedalongthenewlypaintedcabin，glancedonanail，andsangshrillyonwardintospace。

ThiswastoomuchforOleEricsen。Atsightofhisbelovedpaintworkthusdefaced，hejumpedupandshookhisfistatthefishermen；butasecondbulletsmashedintothecabinnotsixinchesfromhishead，andhedroppeddowntothedeckundercoveroftherail。

Allthefishermenhadrifles，andtheynowopenedageneralfusillade。Wewerealldriventocover—evenCharley，whowascompelledtodesertthewheel。Haditnotbeenfortheheavydragofthenets，wewouldinevitablyhavebroachedtoatthemercyoftheenragedfishermen。Butthenets，fastenedtothebottomoftheMaryRebeccawellaft，heldhersternintothewind，andshecontinuedtoploughon，thoughsomewhaterratically。

Charley，lyingonthedeck，couldjustmanagetoreachthelowerspokesofthewheel；butwhilehecouldsteerafterafashion，itwasveryawkward。OleEricsenbethoughthimselfofalargepieceofsheetsteelintheemptyhold。

ItwasinfactaplatefromthesideoftheNewJersey，asteamerwhichhadrecentlybeenwreckedoutsidetheGoldenGate，andinthesalvingofwhichtheMaryRebeccahadtakenpart。

Crawlingcarefullyalongthedeck，thetwosailors，Ole，andmyselfgottheheavyplateondeckandaft，wherewereareditasashieldbetweenthewheelandthefishermen。Thebulletswhangedandbangedagainstittillitranglikeabull’s—eye，butCharleygrinnedinitsshelter，andcoollywentonsteering。

Soweracedalong，behindusahowling，screamingbedlamofwrathfulGreeks，Collinsvilleahead，andbulletsspat—spattingallaroundus。

"Ole，"Charleysaidinafaintvoice，"Idon’tknowwhatwe’regoingtodo。"

OleEricsen，lyingonhisbackclosetotherailandgrinningupwardatthesky，turnedoveronhissideandlookedathim。"AytankwegointoCollinsvilleyustdersame，"hesaid。

"Butwecan’tstop，"Charleygroaned。"Ineverthoughtofit，butwecan’tstop。"

AlookofconsternationslowlyoverspreadOleEricsen’sbroadface。

Itwasonlytootrue。Wehadahornet’snestonourhands，andtostopatCollinsvillewouldbetohaveitaboutourears。

"EverymanJackofthemhasagun，"oneofthesailorsremarkedcheerfully。

"Yes，andaknife，too，"theothersailoradded。

ItwasOleEricsen’sturntogroan。"WhatforaSvaidishfallerlikememonkeywithnoneofmybiziness，Idon’tknow，"hesoliloquized。

Abulletglancedonthesternandsangofftostarboardlikeaspitefulbee。"There’snothingtodobutplumptheMaryRebeccaashoreandrunforit，"wastheverdictofthefirstcheerfulsailor。

"AndleafderMaryRebecca？"Oledemanded，withunspeakablehorrorinhisvoice。

"Notunlessyouwantto，"wastheresponse。"ButIdon’twanttobewithinathousandmilesofherwhenthosefellerscomeaboard"—

indicatingthebedlamofexcitedGreekstowingbehind。

WewererightinatCollinsvillethen，andwentfoamingbywithinbiscuit—tossofthewharf。

"Ionlyhopethewindholdsout，"Charleysaid，stealingaglanceatourprisoners。

"Whatofderwind？"Oledemandeddisconsolately。"Derriverwillnotholdout，andthen……andthen……"

"It’sheadfortalltimber，andtheGreekstakethehindermost，"

adjudgedthecheerfulsailor，whileOlewasstutteringoverwhatwouldhappenwhenwecametotheendoftheriver。

Wehadnowreachedadividingoftheways。TotheleftwasthemouthoftheSacramentoRiver，totherightthemouthoftheSanJoaquin。ThecheerfulsailorcreptforwardandjibedovertheforesailasCharleyputthehelmtostarboardandweswervedtotherightintotheSanJoaquin。Thewind，fromwhichwehadbeenrunningawayonanevenkeel，nowcaughtusonourbeam，andtheMaryRebeccawaspresseddownonherportsideasifshewereabouttocapsize。

Stillwedashedon，andstillthefishermendashedonbehind。Thevalueoftheirnetswasgreaterthanthefinestheywouldhavetopayforviolatingthefishlaws；sotocastofffromtheirnetsandescape，whichtheycouldeasilydo，wouldprofitthemnothing。

Further，theyremainedbytheirnetsinstinctively，asasailorremainsbyhisship。Andstillfurther，thedesireforvengeancewasroused，andwecoulddependuponitthattheywouldfollowustotheendsoftheearth，ifweundertooktotowthemthatfar。

Therifle—firinghadceased，andwelookedasterntoseewhatourprisonersweredoing。Theboatswerestrungalongatunequaldistancesapart，andwesawthefournearestonesbunchingtogether。Thiswasdonebytheboataheadtrailingasmallropeasterntotheonebehind。Whenthiswascaught，theywouldcastofffromtheirnetandheaveinonthelinetilltheywerebroughtuptotheboatinfront。Sogreatwasthespeedatwhichweweretravelling，however，thatthiswasveryslowwork。Sometimesthemenwouldstraintotheirutmostandfailtogetinaninchoftherope；atothertimestheycameaheadmorerapidly。

Whenthefourboatswerenearenoughtogetherforamantopassfromonetoanother，oneGreekfromeachofthreegotintothenearestboattous，takinghisriflewithhim。Thismadefiveintheforemostboat，anditwasplainthattheirintentionwastoboardus。Thistheyundertooktodo，bymainstrengthandsweat，runninghandoverhandthefloat—lineofanet。Andthoughitwasslow，andtheystoppedfrequentlytorest，theygraduallydrewnearer。

Charleysmiledattheirefforts，andsaid，"Giveherthetopsail，Ole。"

Thecapatthemainmastheadwasbrokenout，andsheetanddownhaulpulledflat，amidascatteringriflefirefromtheboats；andtheMaryRebeccalayoverandsprangaheadfasterthanever。

ButtheGreekswereundaunted。Unable，attheincreasedspeed，todrawthemselvesnearerbymeansoftheirhands，theyriggedfromtheblocksoftheirboatsailwhatsailorscalla"watch—tackle。"

Oneofthem，heldbythelegsbyhismates，wouldleanfaroverthebowandmakethetacklefasttothefloat—line。Thentheywouldheaveinonthetackletilltheblocksweretogether，whenthemanoeuvrewouldberepeated。

"Havetogiveherthestaysail，"Charleysaid。

OleEricsenlookedatthestrainingMaryRebeccaandshookhishead。"Itwilltakedermastsoutofher，"hesaid。

"Andwe’llbetakenoutofherifyoudon’t，"Charleyreplied。

Oleshotananxiousglanceathismasts，anotherattheboatloadofarmedGreeks，andconsented。

Thefivemenwereinthebowoftheboat—abadplacewhenacraftistowing。Iwaswatchingthebehavioroftheirboatasthegreatfisherman’sstaysail，far，farlargerthanthetop—sailandusedonlyinlightbreezes，wasbrokenout。AstheMaryRebeccalurchedforwardwithatremendousjerk，thenoseoftheboatduckeddownintothewater，andthementumbledoveroneanotherinawildrushintothesterntosavetheboatfrombeingdraggedsheerunderwater。

"Thatsettlesthem!"Charleyremarked，thoughhewasanxiouslystudyingthebehavioroftheMaryRebecca，whichwasbeingdrivenunderfarmorecanvasthanshewasrightlyabletocarry。

"NextstopisAntioch!"announcedthecheerfulsailor，afterthemannerofarailwayconductor。"AndnextcomesMerryweather!"

"Comehere，quick，"Charleysaidtome。

Icrawledacrossthedeckandstooduprightbesidehimintheshelterofthesheetsteel。

"Feelinmyinsidepocket，"hecommanded，"andgetmynotebook。

That’sright。TearoutablankpageandwritewhatItellyou。"

AndthisiswhatIwrote：

TelephonetoMerryweather，tothesheriff，theconstable，orthejudge。Tellthemwearecomingandtoturnoutthetown。Armeverybody。Havethemdownonthewharftomeetusorwearegonegooses。

Nowmakeitgoodandfasttothatmarlin—spike，andstandbytotossitashore。"

Ididashedirected。BythenwewereclosetoAntioch。Thewindwasshoutingthroughourrigging，theMaryRebeccawashalfoveronhersideandrushingaheadlikeanoceangreyhound。TheseafaringfolkofAntiochhadseenusbreakingouttopsailandstaysail，amostrecklessperformanceinsuchweather，andhadhurriedtothewharf—endsinlittlegroupstofindoutwhatwasthematter。

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