Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-04-19
ON MExIco's COAST.


ON MExIco'S COAST
How an American Captain Trlcked .
"Greaser" Port Officer.
The return of "Dandy Jack" to
this port as sailor on the American
ship Arabia revives an incident that
happened on the Mexican coast fifteen
years ago. About that time Jack was
one of the crew of the bark Diamond
that left San Francisco to trade along
the western shore of Mexico. and
probably do little smuggling on that
side.
The bark went direct to the port of
Guaymas, and before she dropped
anchor was boarded by the intendente
and his deputies.
AT er thorough search had been
made. some goods were found slowed
away that did not appear on the man
fest. and the captain of the port. in a
rage. told the captain of the Diamond
that he and his crew would be made
prisoners, and that their vessel was
forfeited to the Mexican Government.
This was a very severe punishment
for smuggling, and the captain. know
ing how bitter the Mexicans hated
Americans, thought that not only would
he and his crew be imprisoned. but
that they might be assassinated in
some mysterious manner.
This set the minds Of all on board to
thinking The intendente had twenty
deputies on board while some hundred
soldiers were on guard on Il revenue
cutter alongside the Diamond. The
captain on the latter was man of
quick thought, and he took in the
situation at glance.
1t happened that the dignitary of
the port was to a slight extent dis
ciple of Bacchus, and when he was in
vited to 60 down to the captains csoin
and libate he readily consented. The
best wine on board was dispensed lib
orally. and in a short time the in
tendente was in a jovial condition.
He ordered the soldiers on the cutter
to go ashore and return in the MORN
ing to take prisoners the captain and
crew of the Diamond. as he and his
deputies would guard her during the
night. The curtain of darkness was
unfolding itself. and the captain secret
ly gave orders to his crew to be ready
at a moments notice for action.
Several of the deputies went below,
and as soon as they did the hatch was
put down and locked without arousing
the suspicious of those on deck. But
when the crew began cautiously to
weigh anchor, one of the Mexicans
seemed to appreciate the intentions of
the Americans. and quietly slipping
down a rope to the water, swan
ashore and gave the alarm.
1t was the intention of the captain
of the Diamond TO trust to the breeze
that was flying to carry him out of the
harbor and take the intendente and
his crew with him. just as he had all
preparations made to carry out his
plans report of a cannon at the
heads was heard. while another blazed
away ~ euc StSIA "a LILO ScSScAs
Knowing that escape was impossible,
the captain ordered the long boat
lowered, and, rushing down to his
cabin, took his valuables, and then
tried to pull the intoxicated inten-
dente above. meaning to kidnap him
and make the Mexicans pay dearly for
him before he was returned
just as he got on deck. dragging |
the flexible port official after him. the
imprisoned deputies broke loose. being
warned by the cannons that some
thing was wrong. Dandy Jack and the
captain jumped into the long boat |
just in time to save themselves, and
they rowed out into the darkness
The revenue cutter was steaming ul
to the Diamond and did not see the |
departure of her crew.
They were not pursued and es-
capped across the Gulf of California.
being taken aboard an outward-bound
schooner before their fight was circu-
lated.
Dandy Jack said. when speaking Of
the matter, that the intendente. 20
incensed over the folly he was guilty |
Of had the Diamond broken up ~ .
warning to smugglea Jack learned
the fact two years later. Sass Enas-
siscp ESansiner.