American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-12


took the lanthern from the pinnacle and held ii
for minute over the bows. Presently saw
several dark objects coming out from under the
shadow of the land, and in a few moments more
six large native canoc3 were alongside of u.s.
In the first one that boarded us, was the mate
and a merchant, whom well knew to belong
to one of the first houses in Tampice. The
boats came noselessy alongside, and their
crews crept stealthily on board. Without
sound the matches were raised, and package at
ter package Of rich dry goods was passed up
from the hold and over the side into boats, by
the tawny, halk naked rascals.
The boats were nearly all loaded, when J.,
who had been placed to watch over the sleep
ing revenue officer, saw him open his eyes; and
before could move or speak, he saw and COM
pretended all that was gong on. Springing to
his feet, he shouted:
'Guarad Sta!-cOntrabdndiStdSh
One bound from where he stood by the main
! hatchway to the traflrail, and our captain was
by the side of the officer, with his brawny
hands ehcrcling the windpipe from which pro-
ceeded SO much noise The Mexican tried to
draw his sword, and struggled manfully TO get
free from the choking grip; but captain Marin
knew that the entire loss of his vessel and car
90 would follow detection, and he was not dis
] pOSGu W lNuiSlb8 lllC NICAICull III opllC
Of his kicks and writings, in his strong arms,
he coolly pitched him overheard! 1t was quite
dark, and as the tide was ebbing swiftly down
ward, he passed out Of sight instantly; but, for
minutes we could hear him splashing and gurg
ling in the water, aud trying to shout. Then
all was still again. We knew not whether he
had sunk or gained the shore; nor, 10 tell the
truth, did we much care.
Bear hand, boys' said the captain; tumble
in these packages; get the rest OF the goods in
to the boats, and let them get ashore. If that
diego hasn't drank too much water, he may
give US some trouble about this matter yet
In Il few momezAs the last package to be
struggled was passed into the boats; the pa
! tron,' who had made the purchase counted out
the pay in doubloons; the canoes pushed off
and soon vanished up the river. In few min
utes our matches were replaced, the decks
cleared up as before, and the crew retired to
their berths, with orders to be sound asleep
and not to wake up on any account.
| All this was scarcely arranged, when the
dash of oars coming hastily up the river was
heard, and in another moment an armed boat
from the guarda-costa was alongside. At the
first sound of the approaching boat, Captain
| Marin had lain down where he first pretended
to 90 to sleep, and he was snoring louder than
ever Even the curses, many loud and deep, Of
the angry Mexicans, failed TO arouse him from
his deep sumber. The officer who had been
thrown overheard, still dripping from his invol-
untary bath, rushed aft, and with no gentle
means tried to arouse the sleeper. AT last the
captain, gaping and stretching, slowly opened
his eyes, and as he yawned and scratching his
head coolly asked what was the matter and
what was wanted. Then came scene! All
/ al. Il
enng and carIahoong at once, pointing TO the
officer who had been taking midnight swim
all alone by himself, who, with voice louder
than all the rest, swore that he should have
been drowned if St. Antonito hadn't made the
sentinels hear his voice aboard the guarda-costa
and caused them to send him boat. The
captain could not be made TO undels stand what
was the matter, and when he was charged with
having thrown the revenue officer overheard,
and with having smuggling boats alongside, he
raised his hands in holy horror towards the
stars, and Indignantly replied ''it's all id
| lie! Why said he to the other officers of the
! guarda-costa, 'that gentleman dined with me;
we drank pretty freely; and then came up from
the cabin, when both of us lay down here to
sleep. | did not wake up until now; he must
have been dreaming, and have fallen overheard
in his sleep! You saw that | was sound asleep
when you came aboard; how then could have
thrown him overboard2 The idea is absurd
nonsenscal; the whole story improbablc-yes
impossible! See my matches are all battened
down, Just as they were when you were on
board, when came in from sea to-day; nothing
has been moved; my crew are all asleep. He
must have been dreaming; and while he dream.
ed of smugglers, and the like of such he must
have fallen overheard. He knows very well
that he was 'as drunk as a lord"
The story of the captain was well conceived,
and told with still better effect among all the
revenue officers, save the victim himself, who
called upon every saint in the calender 10 come
! down and sw ear that his story was true. But
the perfect order and quietude Of our vessel,
the crew all sound asleep, The matches battened
down, Just as they were i'll the morning; the
honest Indignation of our sleepy captain, and
the owledgment Of the victim that he had
been very drunk, com pared badly with his own
story, and the yarn of Captain Marin was be-
lieved. The soaked official was taken back
to his own vessel, to be trie and punished for
sleeping on his watch, while another officer
was left in his place to keep us from smuggling.
When day light come, we weighed anchor and
sailed up to the town, where we honestly dis
charged the cargo per manifest, paying honor
ably all charges and duties thereon.
Captain Marin only cleared five thousand
dollars by that trip; and we have often laughed
since at the scene have decribed, especially
the Mexican Dream, that 'cas not all Dream.
Prentice THE POET. The New Orleans
Picayune of a late date says ;-"Mr Prentice,
of the Louisville Journal, left this city yester'
day on his return home. He has been for sew
eral months at Biloxi undergoing the hydropa,
lhic treatment for paralysis which has nearly
destroyed the use of his hands, and which
threatened to extend TO the arms and body
With this sngnlar affeciion he has beer