The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-07-28
CAPT. SETH'S PASSENGERS

Did YOU hear a hail, Mr.. Adams, or
was it the shrill note of sea-gull?'
81 hear nothing, Captain Williams.
You would scarce expect to meet with
any one midway in Honduras Bay"
Very true, Adams; but these are
strange times for this part OF the coun-
try. They are in a state OF excitement
and revolution half the time. The I'M
successful ones have to fly for their
lives. There-there it is again. Schooner
ahoy! 1t is some one adrift in a boat,
surel Heave to, Mr.. Adams, and We'll
see what it all means"
It was decidedly what, in nautical par
lance, would be termed " dirty night. !"
The wind, in ftful gusts, blew directly
on shore; the rain in binding showers,
drove in the faces of the seamen as they
strove to pierce the impenetrable dark
ness, which was rendered all the more in
tense by occasional vivid flashes of
lightning. A heavy swell had suddenly
set in from the eastward sure har-
binger of gale of wind
The Falcon was a feet-sailing topsail
schooner, engaged in the Havana trade
some thirty years ago, and was tolerably
well-armed, carrying long nine-pounder
forward, and a sufficient number of arms
to supply the crew in case Of an attack
from pirates, who at that time abounded.
She was owned and commanded by
Captain Williams Elias Adams, the
mate, was the true type of a down
easter, and was Ill love with his skipper's
daughter-a fact the captain made no
objection to.
:" Here comes a boat full of menu
shouted the boat from forward; and the
next instant a long, unwieldy craft
dropped suddenly out of the murky
gloom, wrasping and pounding alongside
the schooner.
Almost before Williams was aware of
it, fifteen as Misunderstanding rascals as
ever shouted Viva revolutionp stood
on the deck of the vessel, all talking,
gesticulating and Struggling their shout
ders at once.
To say that Captain Williams was
startled, would but ill-express the alarm
and uneasiness which he felt. His
weather beaten features assumed a pallid
cast meath the rim of his old so'-wester,
as he held a lantern on high and scanned
the motley group before him.
"Who and whar are ye," he demand
ed, " and what do yer want aboard of my
vessel?'
Say the word, Captain Seth, and I'll
have clear decks fore you can strike
eight bells"
mo, no, Adams; it would be worse
than murder to turn them adrift in the
teeth of gale of wind brewing. Listen
to what. the spokesman says in his bro
ken lingo
They were adherents and supporters
of the Senior Amoreno, who at that time
was prominent agitator in the
affairs of his country. A popular dem
onstration in his favor had been defeat
ed. They had been forced to fly for
their lives, and they now offered Captain
Seth Williams seventy-fve dollars in
gold per man, to land them on any of
the West India Islands, or the Spanish
main.
What do you think of it, EHas?"
said the captain, as he drew his stalwart
mate and son-in-law prospective to one
side.
Well, If it was me, | had sooner see
them out of the ship than in it. But as
long as they are here, why make them
show the color of their money. Then
keep good lookout on them, and land
'em as soon as you get a chance"
Captain Williams at once mustered
the self-imposed passengers in the cabin,
who promptly paid their passage money
without a murmur. They were given
quarters between decks. made as COM
Portable rs circumstances would admit.
and the Falcon proceeded on her way,
beating out of the bay.
Captain Williams had made up his
MINI to land his passengers on the
western extremity of Cuba, but events
occurred which caused him to radically
change his plans.
1t was the second day of the passen-
gers being on board Everything was
quiet on deck, and the schooner Vas slim
ping along with fair wind; so Captain
Williams improved the opportunity to
strengthen out his accounts, and count
over his outward freight-money, amount
ing to over thirty-five hundred dollars in
specie. Amid the metallic ring of gold
and silver, as the coins slid rapidlv
through his fingers, Captain Williams
heard suppressed breathing. LOOKING
quickly over his shoulder, he saw .
black-whiskered visage gazing through
the air port of his state-room. The
instant he found himself detected the
interloper disappeared. Captain Will
hams reported the suspicious circum-
stances to his mate, who advised him to
load up the small arms, which he did
quietly, while the money was secured in
canvas bags and slowed in a secret lock-
er attached to his state-room.
Late that afternoon a sail was reported
of the weather-bow. and while the cap
tain went aloft to have a look at the
stranger, Elias lounged carelessly among
the HOndureans. The mate, with
shreWdness common to the land he
claimed as his native place, had dis
ayowed all knowledge of the Spanish Ian