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。
