“‘It is a good suggestion,’ said the Chief, ‘nothing is as soothing to the mind as sad, sweet songs, unless it be killing people or fighting Indians. Call out our singer, you lazy dogs!’
“They called out Hairslip Charles, the baritone of the gang. He sat on a whisky barrel and sharpened his throat-ripper and sang Ike’s favorite song: the one about the Pigs and little Fishes:
“There was me and Captain Harry in the Port of Monterey.
Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight.
Oh, the stars they all was shining and a-dancin’ on the bay.
Sing, you pigs and little fishes by the moon.
There was rum on Harry’s whiskers and was rum in Harry’s eye.
Sing, you pigs and little fishes in the moonlight.
So I sticks him with my sticker and was glad to see him die,
And they ups and makes me Captain by the moon.