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。