The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-04-06
ON MexIco's COAST.


The return OF DANDY Jack " TO
this port as sailor on the American
ship Arabia reyives 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 intendentc
and his deputies.
| Al or a 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 q
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 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.
II This set the minds Of all on board to
thinking. The infendente had twenty
, deputies on board while some hundred
, soldiers were on guard on revenue
cutter alongside the Diamond. The
captain on the latter was man q
quick thought, and he took IN the
: situation at a glance.
1t happened that the dignitary q
I the port was TO slight extent dis
, ciple Of Bscchus. and when he was IN
yited to 60 down to the captains cabin
and libate he readily consented. The
best wine on board was dispensed lib
orally. and in short time the in
tendcnte was in jovial condition
He ordered the soldiers on the cutter
70 90 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
I unfolding itself. and the captain secret
IL gave orders to his crew 10 be ready
~ 8 moments notice for action.
I several Of the deputies went below
and as soon as they did the hatch was
nut down and locked without arousine
: The suspicious Of those on deck But
D when the crew began cautiously e
weigh anchor. one Of the Mexican'
Z seemed to appreciate the intentions q
the Americans. and quietly slipping
& down rope to the water, swan
? ashore and gave the alarm.
Q n was the intention Of the captain
% az the Diamond 70 trust to the brcez'
le that was flying to carry him out q th'
y harbor aud take the intcndcnte AM
q his crew with him. Just rs he had al
q preparations made 70 carry out ~
p nlans 4 report Of cannon At IN
II hcads was heard. while another blazet
- away nj the stern Of the vessel
Of Knowing that escape was impossible
N The captain ordered the long boa
ID lowered. and. rushing down 70 M
I. cabin. took his valuablcs. and the'
p tried TO pull the intoxicated intcn
r dente above. meaning 70 kidnap hin
=. and make the Mcxicans pay dearly 70
q him before he was returned
Of Just a. he got on deck. dragginl
d. The flexible port official after him. tn
'c imprisoned deputies broke loose bcinI
ne warned BY the canmons that some
Of thing was wrong Dandy Jack and n
be cartsin jumped into the long boa
st ,ust n time 20 save thcmsclves, m
Of thew rowcd out into the darkness
op The revenue cutter was steaming y
X 20 the Diamond and did not go "a
Il departure Of her crew.
b. They were not pursued and 2
nd capcd across the Gulf Of California
beine taken aboard an outward-boun
OF schooner before their flight was circs
I'm lated.
Dandy Jack said, when speaking I
N. the matter. that the intendcntc'
r. inccnscd over the folly he was guilt
IL II. had the Diamond broken up ~
~ warning 70 smugglers Jack learne
en- the fact two years later. --Sdr kr0'
nd cisco Exdninsr.