The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-28
SMUGGLING OPIUM.
An Adventure i'm India.

For five years had sailed in the ship
FormOsa, in the capacity of first mate.
She was an old China trader, and every
trip that | made | saw splendid oppor-
tunities by which ! could make money,
and ! determined on this occasion-the
third trip of the Formosa-to leave her
in Shanghae, and try my luck on the
coast of China. Ny cousin, Ralph Has
ty, was third mate of the ship, and
when | made known my intentions for
the future to him, he signified his will
ingness to leave the old ship also, and
link his fortune to mine.
Accordingly, when we dropped our
anchor in the river, after the sails had
been furled, the yards squared, ropes
laid up. and decks swept, approached
the skipper aud told him Of my inten-
tons. For while he tried to dissuade
me from leaving but. finding that my
mind was firmly made up, he at last
consented TO let us both 60 and within
two hours after the arrival of the For
mosa we found ourselves ashore and at
liberty TO come or 30 at our pleasure. |
was we'll acquainted with the principal
houses in Shanghai, and after securing
accommodation at a good hotel, | pro-
ceeded at once to the office of Messrs.
C. Il Co., Ralph, of course, accom-
panying me- On former occasion the
principal OF the firm made proposition
to me to enter into his employ, but not
being prepared to leave the ship. | re-
spectfully declined his offer, and he had
told me that at any time | wanted a
situation to call on him, and he would
assist me.
| was now about to test the sincerity
of his assertions, and. entering his of
flee, was soon in close confab with
Mr.. o. | introduced my cousin to
him and made known my wants, and,
suffice it to say. that in half an hour
found myself in command of a full-rig-
ged clipper brig, with orders to proceed
at once to Calcutta. there to take in a
cargo of opium, and run to Macao
where a quantity Of opium boats would
be on the lookout to receive us. Lib
eral pay and commissions were of
fered, and we both .joyfully &C
cepted Mr. O-'s proposal, with many
thanks.
We went at once on the brig, which
was lying abreast of Mr.. O-'s ware
house. She was called the Ariel. anc
had but lately arrived, being built Elk
presslv for the trade.
With her low black hull, tall, rakisl
masts and immense square yards, shc
was perfect model of nautical beauty
The Ariel was we'll armed, having TIVE
guns on a side, and long brass thirty
two amidships. On the forward part o
the afterhouse boarding pixies We're ar
ranged in racks, their steel points pol
ished bright as gold. The mainmast wa
encircled by row Of cutlasses, grounC
sharp as razor, while, in large arm
chest on the quarterback were stowec
spare pistols and cutlasses in any guam
tity.
X was absolutely necessary at tn
time | write of to be prepared at an
moment to resist the attack Of a Mala
or Chinese pirate, and especially in tn
trade we were about to engage in, to b
ready to repel any assault that might b
made upon us from the mandarin boats
whose duty it was to prevent the SNUG
Cling of opium into the country. Tn
Emperor of China had issued an edic
AGAINST bringing the article into tn
market, and the penalty, if caught, wa
severe. often death. But the deliciou
drug was eagerly sought after and enol
nous prices paid, and as it grew extcr
siyely in India, and could be purchase
reasonably, it gave rise to large an
lucrative business.
The southwest mOnsoons were blow
ing fresh at the time, and a long am
tedious beat we had of itdown the Chin
Sea. It was an excellent opportunity
however, to try the sea qualities, as we
as the sailing capacities, Of the Arie
and in every respect she proved herse
worthy of the name and reputation
being the fastest thing afloat on tn
China sea, and would 90 to windwar'
like porpoise. We reached Calcutt
in safety, without meeting any adver
ture worthy of being mentioned, an
taking in our opium, the chests wer
safely slowed and the matches securel
patterned down. With light wind "
sailed down the river, and getting clea
OF the Sandheads, the pilot left us, an
making all sail, | headed the Ariel fc
the Straits of Malacca.
have never before or since seen
vessel of the Ariel's tonnage that carrie
the amount of canvas that she did HI