Literature: A Raid on the Oyster Pirates (Jack London)

Of the fish patrolmen under whom we served at various times, Charley Le Grant and I were agreed, I think, that Neil Partington was the best.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

He was neither dishonest nor cowardly; and while he demanded strict obedience when we were under his orders, at the same time our relations were those of easy comradeship, and he permitted us a freedom to which we were ordinarily unaccustomed, as the present story will show.

One day, while scouting among the Chinese shrimp-catchers of Point Pedro, he received word that his wife was very ill; and within the hour the Reindeer was bowling along for Oakland, with a stiff northwest breeze astern.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

We ran up the Oakland Estuary and came to anchor, and in the days that followed, while Neil was ashore, we tightened up the Reindeer's rigging, overhauled the ballast, scraped down, and put the sloop into thorough shape.

Neil's wife was dangerously ill, and the outlook was a week's lie-over, awaiting the crisis.

Neil's wife was dangerously ill, and the outlook was a week's lie-over, awaiting the crisis.

Charley and I roamed the docks, wondering what we should do, and so came upon the oyster fleet lying at the Oakland City Wharf.

In the main they were trim, natty boats, made for speed and bad weather, and we sat down on the stringer-piece of the dock to study them.

In the main they were trim, natty boats, made for speed and bad weather, and we sat down on the stringer-piece of the dock to study them.

In the main they were trim, natty boats, made for speed and bad weather, and we sat down on the stringer-piece of the dock to study them.

Pedlers were backing their wagons to the edge of the wharf, and from the bargaining and chaffering that went on, I managed to learn the selling price of the oysters.

Pedlers were backing their wagons to the edge of the wharf, and from the bargaining and chaffering that went on, I managed to learn the selling price of the oysters.

Pedlers were backing their wagons to the edge of the wharf, and from the bargaining and chaffering that went on, I managed to learn the selling price of the oysters.

Pedlers were backing their wagons to the edge of the wharf, and from the bargaining and chaffering that went on, I managed to learn the selling price of the oysters.

"That boat must have at least two hundred dollars' worth aboard," I calculated.

"That boat must have at least two hundred dollars' worth aboard," I calculated.

The boat we were discussing, the Ghost, lay directly beneath us.

Two men composed its crew.

Two men composed its crew.

One was a squat, broad-shouldered fellow with remarkably long and gorilla-like arms, while the other was tall and well proportioned, with clear blue eyes and a mat of straight black hair.

One was a squat, broad-shouldered fellow with remarkably long and gorilla-like arms, while the other was tall and well proportioned, with clear blue eyes and a mat of straight black hair.

One was a squat, broad-shouldered fellow with remarkably long and gorilla-like arms, while the other was tall and well proportioned, with clear blue eyes and a mat of straight black hair.

One was a squat, broad-shouldered fellow with remarkably long and gorilla-like arms, while the other was tall and well proportioned, with clear blue eyes and a mat of straight black hair.

So unusual and striking was this combination of hair and eyes that Charley and I remained somewhat longer than we intended.

So unusual and striking was this combination of hair and eyes that Charley and I remained somewhat longer than we intended.

A stout, elderly man, with the dress and carriage of a successful merchant, came up and stood beside us, looking down upon the deck of the Ghost.

A stout, elderly man, with the dress and carriage of a successful merchant, came up and stood beside us, looking down upon the deck of the Ghost.

"Hello, Taft," the short man said, with insolent familiarity.

"Hello, Taft," the short man said, with insolent familiarity.

(Among the bayfarers he had gained the nickname of "The Centipede" on account of his long arms.)

"Hello, Taft," he repeated, with the same touch of insolence.

"Hello, Taft," he repeated, with the same touch of insolence.

"Yer mighty wise, ain't ye?" was the Centipede's sneering reply.

"Yer mighty wise, ain't ye?" was the Centipede's sneering reply.

"S'pose you can tell your oysters wherever you see 'em?"

"Now, in my experience," broke in the tall man, "oysters is oysters wherever you find 'em, an' they're pretty much alike all the Bay over, and the world over, too, for that matter.

We're not wantin' to quarrel with you, Mr. Taft, but we jes' wish you wouldn't insinuate that them oysters is yours an' that we're thieves an' robbers till you can prove the goods."

We're not wantin' to quarrel with you, Mr. Taft, but we jes' wish you wouldn't insinuate that them oysters is yours an' that we're thieves an' robbers till you can prove the goods."

We're not wantin' to quarrel with you, Mr. Taft, but we jes' wish you wouldn't insinuate that them oysters is yours an' that we're thieves an' robbers till you can prove the goods."

"Prove it," challenged the tall man, who we afterward learned was known as "The Porpoise" because of his wonderful swimming abilities.

"Prove it," challenged the tall man, who we afterward learned was known as "The Porpoise" because of his wonderful swimming abilities.

"Prove it," challenged the tall man, who we afterward learned was known as "The Porpoise" because of his wonderful swimming abilities.

"Prove it," challenged the tall man, who we afterward learned was known as "The Porpoise" because of his wonderful swimming abilities.

"I'd give a thousand dollars to have you men behind the bars!" he cried.

"I'll give fifty dollars a head for your arrest and conviction, all of you!"

"I'll give fifty dollars a head for your arrest and conviction, all of you!"

A roar of laughter went up from the different boats, for the rest of the pirates had been listening to the discussion.

"There's more money in oysters," the Porpoise remarked dryly.

From out of the corner of his eye, Charley noted the way he went.

Several minutes later, when he had disappeared around a corner, Charley rose lazily to his feet.

I followed him, and we sauntered off in the opposite direction to that taken by Mr. Taft.

I followed him, and we sauntered off in the opposite direction to that taken by Mr. Taft.

I followed him, and we sauntered off in the opposite direction to that taken by Mr. Taft.

Lively!"

Charley whispered, when we passed from the view of the oyster fleet.

Our course was changed at once, and we dodged around corners and raced up and down side-streets till Mr. Taft's generous form loomed up ahead of us.

Our course was changed at once, and we dodged around corners and raced up and down side-streets till Mr. Taft's generous form loomed up ahead of us.

"I'm going to interview him about that reward," Charley explained, as we rapidly over-hauled the oyster-bed owner.

"I'm going to interview him about that reward," Charley explained, as we rapidly over-hauled the oyster-bed owner.

"Of course, of course," Mr. Taft said, when Charley had introduced himself and explained his errand.

"Of course, of course," Mr. Taft said, when Charley had introduced himself and explained his errand.

All I had was a dead watchman and no evidence.

The detectives could do nothing.

We have never succeeded in arresting one of them.

We have never succeeded in arresting one of them.

"So I say, Mr. Le Grant, I am deeply obliged to you for the assistance you offer.

"So I say, Mr. Le Grant, I am deeply obliged to you for the assistance you offer.

And I shall be glad, most glad, sir, to co- operate with you in every way.

My watchmen and boats are at your disposal.

The situation is growing desperate, and something must be done to determine whether I or that band of ruffians own those oyster beds."

The situation is growing desperate, and something must be done to determine whether I or that band of ruffians own those oyster beds."

The situation is growing desperate, and something must be done to determine whether I or that band of ruffians own those oyster beds."

Not only did Neil Partington interpose no obstacle to our adventure, but he proved to be of the greatest assistance.

Not only did Neil Partington interpose no obstacle to our adventure, but he proved to be of the greatest assistance.

Not only did Neil Partington interpose no obstacle to our adventure, but he proved to be of the greatest assistance.

Charley and I knew nothing of the oyster industry, while his head was an encyclopaedia of facts concerning it.

Charley and I knew nothing of the oyster industry, while his head was an encyclopaedia of facts concerning it.

Also, within an hour or so, he was able to bring to us a Greek boy of seventeen or eighteen who knew thoroughly well the ins and outs of oyster piracy.

Also, within an hour or so, he was able to bring to us a Greek boy of seventeen or eighteen who knew thoroughly well the ins and outs of oyster piracy.

At this point I may as well explain that we of the fish patrol were free lances in a way.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

While Neil Partington, who was a patrolman proper, received a regular salary, Charley and I, being merely deputies, received only what we earned - that is to say, a certain percentage of the fines imposed on convicted violators of the fish laws.

We held a long council of war, and mapped out the following line of action.

Our faces were unfamiliar on the Lower Bay, but as the Reindeer was well known as a fish-patrol sloop, the Greek boy, whose name was Nicholas, and I were to sail some innocent-looking craft down to Asparagus Island and join the oyster pirates' fleet.

Our faces were unfamiliar on the Lower Bay, but as the Reindeer was well known as a fish-patrol sloop, the Greek boy, whose name was Nicholas, and I were to sail some innocent-looking craft down to Asparagus Island and join the oyster pirates' fleet.

Here, according to Nicholas's description of the beds and the manner of raiding, it was possible for us to catch the pirates in the act of stealing oysters, and at the same time to get them in our power.

Here, according to Nicholas's description of the beds and the manner of raiding, it was possible for us to catch the pirates in the act of stealing oysters, and at the same time to get them in our power.

Here, according to Nicholas's description of the beds and the manner of raiding, it was possible for us to catch the pirates in the act of stealing oysters, and at the same time to get them in our power.

Charley was to be on the shore, with Mr. Taft's watchmen and a posse of constables, to help us at the right time.

"I know just the boat," Neil said, at the conclusion of the discussion, "a crazy old sloop that's lying over at Tiburon.

You and Nicholas can go over by the ferry, charter it for a song, and sail direct for the beds."

You and Nicholas can go over by the ferry, charter it for a song, and sail direct for the beds."

"Remember, they are dangerous men, so be careful."

Nicholas and I succeeded in chartering the sloop very cheaply; and between laughs, while getting up sail, we agreed that she was even crazier and older than she had been described.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

She was a big, flat-bottomed, square-sterned craft, sloop-rigged, with a sprung mast, slack rigging, dilapidated sails, and rotten running-gear, clumsy to handle and uncertain in bringing about, and she smelled vilely of coal tar, with which strange stuff she had been smeared from stem to stern and from cabin-roof to centreboard.

And to cap it all, Coal Tar Maggie was printed in great white letters the whole length of either side.

It was an uneventful though laughable run from Tiburon to Asparagus Island, where we arrived in the afternoon of the following day.

The oyster pirates, a fleet of a dozen sloops, were lying at anchor on what was known as the "Deserted Beds."

The Coal Tar Maggie came sloshing into their midst with a light breeze astern, and they crowded on deck to see us.

Nicholas and I had caught the spirit of the crazy craft, and we handled her in most lubberly fashion.

"Name it 'n' ye kin have it!" called another.

"I swan naow, ef it ain't the old Ark itself!" mimicked the Centipede from the deck of the Ghost.

Ahoy there, clipper ship!" another wag shouted.

We took no notice of the joking, but acted, after the manner of greenhorns, as though the Coal Tar Maggie required our undivided attention.

We took no notice of the joking, but acted, after the manner of greenhorns, as though the Coal Tar Maggie required our undivided attention.

We took no notice of the joking, but acted, after the manner of greenhorns, as though the Coal Tar Maggie required our undivided attention.

To all appearances it was a bungle, the way the chain tangled and kept the anchor from reaching the bottom.

To all appearances it was a bungle, the way the chain tangled and kept the anchor from reaching the bottom.

To all appearances it was a bungle, the way the chain tangled and kept the anchor from reaching the bottom.

And to all appearances Nicholas and I were terribly excited as we strove to clear it.

At any rate, we quite deceived the pirates, who took huge delight in our predicament.

At any rate, we quite deceived the pirates, who took huge delight in our predicament.

At any rate, we quite deceived the pirates, who took huge delight in our predicament.

But the chain remained tangled, and amid all kinds of mocking advice we drifted down upon and fouled the Ghost, whose bowsprit poked square through our mainsail and ripped a hole in it as big as a barn door.

But the chain remained tangled, and amid all kinds of mocking advice we drifted down upon and fouled the Ghost, whose bowsprit poked square through our mainsail and ripped a hole in it as big as a barn door.

But the chain remained tangled, and amid all kinds of mocking advice we drifted down upon and fouled the Ghost, whose bowsprit poked square through our mainsail and ripped a hole in it as big as a barn door.

But the chain remained tangled, and amid all kinds of mocking advice we drifted down upon and fouled the Ghost, whose bowsprit poked square through our mainsail and ripped a hole in it as big as a barn door.

But the chain remained tangled, and amid all kinds of mocking advice we drifted down upon and fouled the Ghost, whose bowsprit poked square through our mainsail and ripped a hole in it as big as a barn door.

The Centipede and the Porpoise doubled up on the cabin in paroxysms of laughter, and left us to get clear as best we could.

This, with much unseaman-like performance, we succeeded in doing, and likewise in clearing the anchor-chain, of which we let out about three hundred feet.

The oyster pirates lay snugly together at short hawsers, the weather being fine, and they protested loudly at our ignorance in putting out such an unwarranted length of anchor-chain.

The oyster pirates lay snugly together at short hawsers, the weather being fine, and they protested loudly at our ignorance in putting out such an unwarranted length of anchor-chain.

The oyster pirates lay snugly together at short hawsers, the weather being fine, and they protested loudly at our ignorance in putting out such an unwarranted length of anchor-chain.

Having sufficiently impressed them with our general lubberliness, Nicholas and I went below to congratulate ourselves and to cook supper.

Having sufficiently impressed them with our general lubberliness, Nicholas and I went below to congratulate ourselves and to cook supper.

Hardly had we finished the meal and washed the dishes, when a skiff ground against the Coal Tar Maggie's side, and heavy feet trampled on deck.

Hardly had we finished the meal and washed the dishes, when a skiff ground against the Coal Tar Maggie's side, and heavy feet trampled on deck.

Then the Centipede's brutal face appeared in the companionway, and he descended into the cabin, followed by the Porpoise.

Then the Centipede's brutal face appeared in the companionway, and he descended into the cabin, followed by the Porpoise.

Before they could seat themselves on a bunk, another skiff came alongside, and another, and another, till the whole fleet was represented by the gathering in the cabin.

Before they could seat themselves on a bunk, another skiff came alongside, and another, and another, till the whole fleet was represented by the gathering in the cabin.

"Where'd you swipe the old tub?" asked a squat and hairy man, with cruel eyes and Mexican features.

"Didn't swipe it," Nicholas answered, meeting them on their own ground and encouraging the idea that we had stolen the Coal Tar Maggie.

"Well, I don't admire your taste, that's all," sneered he of the Mexican features.

"Oh, to give away to our friends, of course," Nicholas retorted.

This started another laugh, and as our visitors grew more genial we could see that they had not the slightest suspicion of our identity or purpose.

This started another laugh, and as our visitors grew more genial we could see that they had not the slightest suspicion of our identity or purpose.

This started another laugh, and as our visitors grew more genial we could see that they had not the slightest suspicion of our identity or purpose.

This started another laugh, and as our visitors grew more genial we could see that they had not the slightest suspicion of our identity or purpose.

This started another laugh, and as our visitors grew more genial we could see that they had not the slightest suspicion of our identity or purpose.

"Didn't I see you on the dock in Oakland the other day?" the Centipede asked suddenly of me.

"I was watching you fellows and figuring out whether we'd go oystering or not.

It's a pretty good business, I calculate, and so we're going in for it.

That is," I hastened to add, "if you fellows don't mind."

We won't stand to be disgraced by any such box as this.

"Soon as we sell some oysters we'll outfit in style."

But if you don't" (here his voice became stern and menacing), "why, it'll be the sickest day of yer life.

After that and more warning and advice of similar nature, the conversation became general, and we learned that the beds were to be raided that very night.

As they got into their boats, after an hour's stay, we were invited to join them in the raid with the assurance of "the more the merrier."

Nicholas asked, when they had departed to their various sloops.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

I had heard of the Sporting Life Gang before, a crowd of hoodlums and criminals that terrorized the lower quarters of Oakland, and two-thirds of which were usually to be found in state's prison for crimes that ranged from perjury and ballot-box stuffing to murder.

There we found all the skiffs assembling, it being the intention to raid the beds in a body.

There we found all the skiffs assembling, it being the intention to raid the beds in a body.

To my surprise, I found barely a foot of water where we had dropped anchor in ten feet.

To my surprise, I found barely a foot of water where we had dropped anchor in ten feet.

It was the big June run-out of the full moon, and as the ebb had yet an hour and a half to run, I knew that our anchorage would be dry ground before slack water.

Mr. Taft's beds were three miles away, and for a long time we rowed silently in the wake of the other boats, once in a while grounding and our oar blades constantly striking bottom.

At last we came upon soft mud covered with not more than two inches of water - not enough to float the boats.

The full moon was partly obscured by high-flying clouds, but the pirates went their way with the familiarity born of long practice.

The full moon was partly obscured by high-flying clouds, but the pirates went their way with the familiarity born of long practice.

After half a mile of the mud, we came upon a deep channel, up which we rowed, with dead oyster shoals looming high and dry on either side.

After half a mile of the mud, we came upon a deep channel, up which we rowed, with dead oyster shoals looming high and dry on either side.

Two men, on one of the shoals, hailed us and warned us off.

The watchmen wisely retreated before so overwhelming a force, and rowed their boat along the channel toward where the shore should be.

Besides, it was in the plan for them to retreat.

In almost no time sacks were filled and carried back to the boats, where fresh ones were obtained.

In almost no time sacks were filled and carried back to the boats, where fresh ones were obtained.

Then they'll stand the full sacks on end and pick them up when the tide comes in and the skiffs will float to them."

Fully half an hour went by, and the tide had begun to flood, when this came to pass.

One by one, and noiselessly, we shoved them off and made them fast in an awkward flotilla.

One by one, and noiselessly, we shoved them off and made them fast in an awkward flotilla.

His quick eye took in the situation at a glance, and he sprang for us; but we went clear with a mighty shove, and he was left floundering in the water over his head.

His quick eye took in the situation at a glance, and he sprang for us; but we went clear with a mighty shove, and he was left floundering in the water over his head.

As soon as he got back to the shoal he raised his voice and gave the alarm.

As soon as he got back to the shoal he raised his voice and gave the alarm.

A pistol cracked from the shoal, a second, and a third; then a regular fusillade began.

The bullets spat and spat all about us; but thick clouds had covered the moon, and in the dim darkness it was no more than random firing.

The bullets spat and spat all about us; but thick clouds had covered the moon, and in the dim darkness it was no more than random firing.

The bullets spat and spat all about us; but thick clouds had covered the moon, and in the dim darkness it was no more than random firing.

"Wish we had a little steam launch," I panted.

It was slow work, but every stroke carried us farther away from the shoal and nearer the shore, till at last the shooting died down, and when the moon did come out we were too far away to be in danger.

Charley's welcome face bent over to us, and he gripped us by the hands while he cried, "Oh, you joys!

As we drew closer, they fired a rattling volley from their revolvers, and we promptly retreated beyond range.

"The flood is setting in fast, and by the time it's up to their necks there won't be any fight left in them."

Between the pirates and the shore were we, precluding escape in that direction.

Between the pirates and the shore were we, precluding escape in that direction.

It was beautifully calm, and in the brilliant white moonlight we watched them through our night glasses and told Charley of the voyage of the Coal Tar Maggie.

It was beautifully calm, and in the brilliant white moonlight we watched them through our night glasses and told Charley of the voyage of the Coal Tar Maggie.

One o'clock came, and two o'clock, and the pirates were clustering on the highest shoal, waist-deep in water.

"Now this illustrates the value of imagination," Charley was saying.

"Now this illustrates the value of imagination," Charley was saying.

"Now this illustrates the value of imagination," Charley was saying.

Just then I heard a scarcely audible gurgle of water, and holding up my hand for silence, I turned and pointed to a ripple slowly widening out in a growing circle.

Just then I heard a scarcely audible gurgle of water, and holding up my hand for silence, I turned and pointed to a ripple slowly widening out in a growing circle.

Just then I heard a scarcely audible gurgle of water, and holding up my hand for silence, I turned and pointed to a ripple slowly widening out in a growing circle.

Just then I heard a scarcely audible gurgle of water, and holding up my hand for silence, I turned and pointed to a ripple slowly widening out in a growing circle.

With a snort of surprise and of suddenly expelled breath, the head and shoulder went down.

We pulled ahead several strokes and drifted with the current.

Four pairs of eyes searched the surface of the water, but never another ripple showed, and never another glimpse did we catch of the black head and white shoulder.

Four pairs of eyes searched the surface of the water, but never another ripple showed, and never another glimpse did we catch of the black head and white shoulder.

Four pairs of eyes searched the surface of the water, but never another ripple showed, and never another glimpse did we catch of the black head and white shoulder.

The Centipede was in a truly perilous plight.

The Centipede was in a truly perilous plight.

Only the heads and shoulders of his fellow-marauders showed above the water as they braced themselves against the current, while his feet were off the bottom and they were supporting him.

Only the heads and shoulders of his fellow-marauders showed above the water as they braced themselves against the current, while his feet were off the bottom and they were supporting him.

The Centipede was the first to be pulled aboard, and he came willingly, though he objected when the constable put the handcuffs on him.

Barchi was next hauled in, quite meek and resigned from his soaking.

Barchi was next hauled in, quite meek and resigned from his soaking.

"You didn't get the Porpoise," the Centipede said exultantly, as though his escape materially diminished our success.

"You didn't get the Porpoise," the Centipede said exultantly, as though his escape materially diminished our success.

In answer to Charley's knock, the door was flung open, and a pleasant wave of warm air rushed out upon us.

In answer to Charley's knock, the door was flung open, and a pleasant wave of warm air rushed out upon us.

"You can dry your clothes here, lads, and get some hot coffee," Charley announced, as they filed in.

And there, sitting ruefully by the fire, with a steaming mug in his hand, was the Porpoise.