American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-12
From the Knickerbockerl
DREAM THAT WAS NOT ALL A
DREAM.

A TRUE YARN OF THE MEXICAN COAST.
N 1884, when | was yet youngster before
mast, took a trip to Tampico in little
ding schooner called 'The Ella commanded
a Jolly skipper from Florida, one Mat Ma
dark skinned Spanish creole, who for
Jrt' was by his friends always termed Mig
be schooner generally carried out dry goods
Id provisions OH her owners account; but
ways had an idea, (Which kept to myself)
lat she 'tonned' more than her register made
|r responsible for, and that her hold always
ntaned more goods than could be found on
r manifest.
But to return. We were only nine days OH
r run from New York out to the mouth Of
ampco river; and about noon on the tenth
y we stretched in over the bar, with lead
wind, that would easily have carried US
tn flowing sheet up to the town, which
hs nearly twelve miles above; but for reasons
st known to himself, the captain anchored as
lon as we passed the fort and rounded Point
hnupeco, just above and out OF reach OF its
hns. The revenue boat from the guar da-
sta came on board before our sails were furl-
b, and the custom house officers overhauled
lr papers and manifest. They seemed little
Ilspcious, and one of the officers was left on
bard to watch US, while the rest went aboard
e their own craft, which lay nearly half mile
|trther down the river, under the guns of the
brit AS soon as dinner was ready the captain
| Invited the revenue officer down in the cabin
b dine with him; and as they went below, the
|brmer winked his large laughing eye at the
hate, and knew we'll that there was fun in the
bind. AS soon as the captain and Mexican
lad got below, the mate slipped into the small
|oat and sculled ashore saw no more OF
lm until after dark that night. In the mean
ime could tell by the lively voices in the ca
in that the officer and captain were getting
long very well together: and once in while
The rinkle of meeting of lasses and jolly song
poke Of spirit potential that was playing
pon the hearts and senses of both parties
AS night came on, more hilarious were the
Jones and more varied the sounds which arose
from the cabin; and it appeared that while twi-
ight began to get blue above, they were fast
letting blue below. First could hear our
Mexican spluttering out Spanish bacchana-
liam glee; then Captain Marin would give a
touch from sea song or a specimen of a mig
ger melody At last, little after dark, with
! real Havana in each of their mouths, they
came on deck, the skipper and the WATCHER
Both were decidedly and unequivocally drunk,
if one might Judge fiom their walk and CONVEX
saton;' but could see at a single glance that
the captain was shamming, although the 'sp-
tied reality was visible in the Mexican
He seemed however to retain some shreWd
notions of his daty, and 10 know that as night
was over US, If we intended 10 smuggle, it was
necessary for him to keep his eyes open. So he
seated himself on the taffrail with an air OF
drunken dignity; and as he hummed Spanish
barcarole, kept watch over the movements OF
the crew about the deck, gancing now and
then I'D and down the still river.
As the night advanced, | saw that Captain
Marin began to look uneasy and anxious; a :
though he pretended to be even more drunk
than his guest and spy. At last, whenit was
near midnight the Mexican became less fire.
quent in his snatches of song, and the liquor
drowse' seemed to be coming over him: lie
would all unwillingly close his eyes, and then
his head would make long slow bow toward
some being, imaginary or invisible, until the
chin rested on his breast, when up it would lily,
as fa bee had stung it, and slowly, dfowslly
the eyes would open to the accustomed watch
Captain Marin now lay down beside the
Mexican, and pretendedto fall into a sound
sleep, attesting the same by long, loud and
regular snore. This threw the Mxican com
pletely off his guard; and wrapping his watch
coat closer around him, he followed suit; anc
then the twain seemed to be trying which coulc
snore the loudest. When the Senior Mexican
had got fairly under Roadway, the captain aros;