Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-08-23

lister OF War was also there looking
very much like the pastor of the Afri-
can NJ. T.. church, had IL not been for
gorgeous pair of gilt spurs. BY
these officials we were subjected TO n
severe cross-eXamination. What did
we want therep We were peaceful
traders come there TO sell goods and
buy their coffee and logwood. Had
we any AIMS on board? Oh, dear, no.
Were we quite sure, because If we had
we need not be afraid of saying SOP
Well, we would search and let him
know next day. Then the Ministers
left us the gilt spurs OF the Minister of
War climbing on the atrocious pave
ment while his confrere trotted sadly
beside him. Night had fallen by this
time and every one was anxious TO see
il there were any letters for him. We
were therefore led off TO the postoffice
to hand over the mail; and after a SER
les of hairbreadth escapes out OF open
sewers. luckily arrived there in safety.
The postmaster. however, could not be
found, and when he was found il APP
peared that he had lent the key of the
postotlice TO friend who had gone to
a dancing party. After another delay
the key was found and the mail was
handed over to the postmaster. So
far we had all our dealings with ne
groes, but our next call was upon an
Englishman who had charge of the
wharf and the lighters that take goods
ashore. This individual we found at
his club, where he received us in the
bar-room. He had long gray whiskers,
a squeaky voice and an exalted opinion
of himself. We arranged with him
for the next days lighterage and then
he babe us ii pleasant farewell, saying:
Gentlemen, this is club and that is
the bar. good night We took his
hint but could not help wondering
whether that was British hospitality in
the West Indies.
During our trip from New York the
captain had spoken valiant words about
the folly of bringing -four, hcrrings,
and such like when we might have
brought few cases of rifles and made
an everlasting fortune. Don Enrico
had wisely said nothing about the
rifles, revolvers and ammunition which
lay stored away in the hold. but now
he was obliged to tell the captain,
That worthy, in spite of his former
professions, Immediately became much
alarmed and declared that we must get
rid of them at once or his ship might
be seized for carrying contraband of
war. So early next day we went
ashore to see what price could be had
on our military stores and after an i'm
mense amount OF haggling n sum was
agreed upon which was about three
times their value in New York. This
! "a.
in Cape Haytian or their New York
correspondents, but after two days
palavering the Minister of finance was
unable to raise the money and we were
obliged to take orders on the customs,
which, as there is heavy export duty,
are just as good. Everything being
thus amicably settled, we delivered
some goods TO their consignees and
prepared TO run for Gonaives, our prin-
cipal destination on the island. The
Il. s. man-of-war Galena was at Cape
Haytian, but as we flew the English
flag she could be Of little use TO us and
we knew that Gonaives was being
bombarded and watched by the South
ern cruisers the Belize, Toussaint,
rOuverture and Dessaline5. We were
therefore glad to get rid OF our rifles
and ammunition and saw them lowered
into the lighters with as unfeigned JOY
as the captain did. The scene at the
custom house was most amusing.
little tramway runs along the wharf
and the cases were put on the cars and
dragged up to the custom house. Then
the moment each case was opened the
negroes made rush for them and be-
fore one could say Jack Robinson they
were all being braudished about in the
air. while the officials looked on help
lessly. On one of the ears were sever
al barrels OF ammunition and our En-
glish friend at the club was very anX-
ious to know whether the barrels did
not contain pork No said in u
sepulchral voice, as 4 darkey rolled
one off the truck, they contain cart
ridges" cob my goodness, he ex-
claimed, as he fled AT the top OF his
speed up the stony street.
We decided to start about four in the