as a second supply was termed, while the cook’s mate screamed out the contents of each plate as he thrust it into the hands of the waiter through the port-hole. This went on until the supply was exhausted, and then the unfortunates who came late were told that their favourite dish was “off.” The aspect of affairs then changed; curses were heard; men became quarrelsome and were violently expelled, till at last the lights were put out for a time. The room cleared up and relighted, was again filled, now with drinkers and gamblers, and lastly, it was covered over, tables and all, with “shakes-down.” The viands dispensed by Host Kidd were really good; the cuisine excellent, it being under the superintendence of Felix, a chef of Parisian fame. He was a lively, versatile Frenchman, with an inexhaustible flow of good humour and smart repartee. By the timely intervention of a joke he frequently changed an angry altercation into a general laugh, and so preserved the peace. Poor fellow! Years after he met a dreadful end in New Zealand, being one of the victims murdered in cold blood at Maungatapu (particulars of which will be seen in a following chapter). Disputes could not always be so easily set right, however, and frequently fights took place. The waiters, chosen, I suppose, with a view to such services being sometimes required, were strong active fellows, and generally managed to expel any turbulent customer. Upon one occasion they got the worst of it from a party of rough Irishmen.
The row commenced by one of these fellows accusing the chief waiter, Isaac, with paying too much attention to the white collar mob. This designation was applied to anyone who dressed in a manner at all different to the diggers. Isaac told the man to be quiet, but he attempted to seize a plate or dish which the waiter was about placing on the table, when Isaac, a wiry, active man, who had apparently been a steward on board a steamer, struck the fellow, which was the signal for a rush to be made upon him by three or four more.
Isaac hit out well for some time, keeping them at bay; but at last they managed to close with him and throw him. Now ensued a scene almost indescribable. The assailants gave the regular howl, and several more of their compatriots rushed along the narrow passage, striking and felling all within reach.
In the meantime it was faring badly with poor Isaac. The immediate operators were kicking him, and literally jumping on him, yelling like demons the while. One ruffian, wishing to have a chance in the melée, and thinking it a pity to lose an opportunity of kicking a man while he was down, being unable to effect a passage between the tables, jumped on one of them and actually rushed to the fray over plates and dishes, forcing his way without any regard to the crockery. His example was at once followed by several, and, their blood being up, and Isaac nearly dead, they turned their attention to the nearest person.
