The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-31
A Dream that was not all a
Dream.-A true yarn Of the
Mexican Coast. -

Dream.-A true yarn Of the
Mexican Coast. u 81 eae
In 1884, when ] was but a oungster
before the mast, took a trip to Tam
pico in a little trading schooner called
the "Ella," commanded by Jolly skip
per from Florida, one Mat Marin, a
dark-skinned Spanish creole, who, "for
Short" was by his friends always term
ed "Nig." The schooner generally
carried out dry goods and visions
on her owners account; but always
had an idea, (Which kept to mysslf,)
that she "tonned" more than her regis
ter made her responsible for, and that
her hold always contained more goods
than could be found on her manifest.
But to return. We were only nine
days on our run from New York out
to the mouth of Tampico river; and
about noon on the tenth day, we
stretched in over the bar, with a lead
ing wind, that would have easily car.
ried us with a flowing shestup 10 the
town, which was nearly twelve miles
above; but for reasons best known to
himself, the captain anchored as we
passed the fort and rounded Point Tan
upeco, just above and out of reach of
its guns. The revenue boat from the
guarda-costa came on board before our
sails were furled and the custom house
officers overhauled our papers and
manifest. They seemed little suspi-
cious and one of the officers was left on
board to watch US, while the rest went
aboard of their own craft, which lay
nearly half a mile farther down the riv-
er, under the guns of the fort. AS soon
as dinner was ready the captain invi-
ted the revenue officer down in the
cabin to dine with him; and as they
went below, the former winked his
large laughing eye at the mate, and |
knew we'll that there was fun in the
wind. AS soon as the captain and Mex
ican had got below, the mate slipped in
10 the small boat and sculled ashore.
saw no more OF him until after dark
that night. In The mean time could
tell by the lively voices in the cabin
that the officer and captain were get
ting along vsrv well together;and once
in while the tingle Of meeting glasses
and jolly song spoke of a "spiril po-
tential" that was playing upon the
hearts and senses Of both parties.
As night came on, more hilarious
were the tones and more varied the
sounds which arose from the cabin ;and
it appeared tha. while twilight began
to get blue above, they were fast get
ting "blue" below. First could hear
our Mexican spluttering out Spanish
bacchanalian glee; then Captain Marin
would give touch from sea song,or
a specimen from "nigger melody
At last, a little after dark, with real
Havana in each Of their mouths, they
came on deck, the skipper and the
watcher. Both were decidedly and
unequlvocally drunk, if one might Judge
from their walk and conversation; but
| could see at single glance that the
captain was shamming, although the
spiritual reality" was visible in the
Mexican. He seemed, however, to
retain some shrewd notions of his du-
ty, and to know that as night was over
us, if we intended to 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 a Spanish barcaroIe,
kept watch over the movements of the
crew about the deck, glancing now and
then up and down the still river.
AS the night advanced, | saw that
Captain Marin began to look uneasy
and anxious, although he pretended to
be even more drunk than his guest and
spy. At last, when near midnight, the
Mexican became less frequent in his
snatches of song, and the "liquor
dro WISE" seemed to be coming over
him, he would all unwillingly close his
eyes, and then his head would make
long slow bow towards some being, i'm
aginary or invisible, until the chin res.
ted on his breast, when up it would fly
as if stung by bee, and slowly, drowA
silly the eyes would open to the accus-
toned watch. w s'+ot -un i
Captain Marin now lay down beside
the Mexican, and pretended to fall in
to a sound sleep, attesting the same by
a long, loud andregular snore. This
threw the Mexican completely off his
guard and wrapping his watch.cloak
closer around him, he followed suit, and
then the twain seemed to be trying
which could snore the loudest.. When
the Senor Mexicana had got fairly un-
der headway, the captain rose lightly
from the deck and passing forward,
took the ,lanthorn from the blnnacle
and heidi for minute under the bowss.
n Al - l. u. I.lft n