IN THE FIRING LINE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1885, 20 October 1913, Page 9

IN THE FIRING LINE.

BLUEJACKETS BEAT A RETREAT. A number of bluejackets from H.M.A.; ships Australia and Sydney were plunged right into the firing lino in a fruit shop in Goorgo Street North (Sydney) tlio other afternoon, but they got out of it , by a sudden flank movemont. Tho party loft tho ships on leavo in tho morning, and when they assembled at tho Fort Macquarie ' knding-placo tliey numbered about 25. Thoy wandered about the streets all • day, and finally marched in a body to a fruit shop, whither the heat of tho day had driven them for lemon squash. • Tho disturbance camo suddenly. A disputo arose botwoon tlie propriotor and tho sailors. In a moment tho 6hop was full of infuriated mon-o'-wars-mon, fighting with each other to got at the owner of tho establishment. Then something occurred to make them forget the man behind tho counter, and they fell to battling with one another. Punches woro taken with as much apparent unconcern as thoy were given, until a husky Australian connected with a heavy left swing on to an Englishman's jaw, making him reol right across the. room, and finally crash against a . glass show-case, head first. The case was smashed to atoms, and its contents ■ were scattered everywhoro. Thatwas too much for the propriotor. Snatching up a fully-loaded revolver out of tho till, and pointing it at tho fjghting tars, ho brought them to a halt. "Now, go on. Get out of this, quick and lively," ho yelled, and the man who havo coine into contact with the glass-cnso was the first to mako'a hurriod exit. Ho reeled out of tho eliop with blood pouring from an ugly gash in his cheek. Scores of peopl'o had gathered, and, catching sight of tho blooding sailor, rained tho cry, "Ho's boon shot 1", But tho tar had his sonso, and allayed their fears. "No; I ain't been shot," ho declared. "I pot a,cut; that's all." His companions woro quick : to follow him. Confronted! by tho revolver with an apparently determined man behind it, they turned right-about, and with a sudden flank movomont rushed out in a body. Meanwhile tho polico had boon called, and several of tho men woro arrcst:rd.. Thero was no charge laid against them, however, o.nd they wero released. —"Sun."