Evening journal., 1890-02-18
4 DEBT OF UNCLE SANS.

4 was making inquiry AT lhe NNhNe u'P"iN
ment in Washington the other day about a
debt which our Uncle Sam incurred ON land
md sea in the spring of 1860, and felt much
disappointed TO learn that no steps had been
taken to pay it--not even to acknowledge its
existence The French government is the
creditor in this instance, and so much has oc-
Cured to excite the public mind in both
countries since the date | mentioned that 1t
has doubtless formed an excuse for our state
department to perhaps pigeonhole and forget
the matter entirely.
In the fall Of 1859 man named James
Shields, who hailed from Charleston, ap-
peared in Boston and Interested several capt
taists IN a strange adventure. AS near as
was ever able to learn, for reasons which
win explain, he had located a treasure wreck
to the cast Of the Canary lslands-between
them and the coast of Morocco What papers
he had is known only TO the other members
of the syndicate He must have had a pretty
plausible yarn, for they bought and QUILTED
a brig and sailed away on the search was
second mate Of the brig, and all knew about
tho voyage was that the articles read; TO
the Canary Islands and surrounding waters
and return The first mate knew no more
than did, and while the captain, no doubt
knew all about it, he was as mum as an
oyster. Shields went along as passenger, and
| a man named Harper was aboard to act as
agent for the Others
While the object OF the voyage was kept
secret we had hardly cleared Boston harbor
before it was understood by all that it was a
| treasure hunt. We were in ballast only, had
I a fnll crew and one man over, and the chains
and cables and diving bell put aboard all
went to prove we were going to fish for dol
lars lying under water.
II Is a long voyage from Boston to the
Janaries, but we had fairly good run Of II.
Our brig was called the Swallow, and as she
was a good sailer and well provisioned there
was no growing among the men, when, at
times, she lay heaving on the CLASSY seas
without wind enough to fare a candle. The
object of the voyage had almost been forgot
ten when the islands were finally sighted.
1t was not until we ran into Simm's bay,
ON the eastern side Of the group, that inter
est was again at fever heat. Here we took
IN fresh water, overhauled the standing rig
| ging, secured fresh provisions, and were
almost ready 10 sail away, when large
hhow, such as the Arahians use in the slave
trade, and seemingly carrying Lave mum
Der Of men, arrived = the bay and anchored
~l'aln oA' .e's length Of us. The west
a.,,ean coast of twenty years ago was not
traversed almost daily by the steam war
aims and steamships Of several nations, and
me merchantmen never felt perfectly safe
outside the Straits Of Gibraltar. Whether
this dhow was bound down the coast after a
cargo Of blacks, or was cruising for nooler
NV was an enigma. We carred an arsenal
Of small arms, but nothing IN the way OF
cannon One of our men, who was sent aloil
for the purpose, reported that he was certain
the dhow carried twopieces Of ordnance for
ward.
The dhow came in about 10 O'Clock in tn
morning, and as soon as her anchor wa
= down her boats started for the shore. Wha
!, the errand was we could not tell, but guesse
= they were after fruits After dinner he
!, captain was.pulied aboard Of us. He was a
= Algerine. with as wicked face on him q
! any piratoever carried. and though he trie
!, to render-his visit very pleasant he left notl
ing but aaistrust and suspicion behind Oh
% and an believed that he came as spy. /
= asked. as was natural, our port Of ha
e whittier bound, our cargo, and so on, and
= was thought best TO tell him that we hi
~ basra sent out by the American governme
30 trrescue a crew of American sailors shi
vr-eclSed some time before about 300 mi
IS aovvn the coast. We had put in for wat
y, and repairs. and would soon resume our VIC
al are. This story seemed to satisfy him, an
after lunch in the cabin, he took his {
81 parture. That afternoon he dropped out
~ the bay with the tide, and we expected
~ had seen the last of him. We were all q
IL enough to see him go, for no man aboa
'r- doubted that he was up to mischief.
~ The next morning we we're ready 70 s
and now learned more OF the object OF
'ge VOYAGE than ever befEre. Shields had
- -, nd m
PIE tween the northeastern island and the moi
me of the Draha river he had made per
en-, mark. Whether this stood for a shoal G
as wreck did not learn.
AT 5c'clock III the afternoon, having b
oW a course to the northeast since we left
oke bav. we took soundings and found bottom
es five fathoms This went 70 show that Shi'
acY had marked a shoal. heard the captain
mate talking about coming TO anchor but
IN orders had yet been given when the dt
aud came stealing down upon as from the q
will coming out Of the blur which hung over
lis water as one might suddenly appear from
zeal hind a curtain.
b er she wasn't over two miles away when
, in sighted, and after hurried consultation
=, a briggs head was permitted to fall of and
in headed TO the north with light abeam
at dhow altered her course to intercept u'
'oes the same time signalling that she waute
rial speak us Her appearance created SURF
and CONSERVATION. and when it was seen
con- she meant to lay us aboard a consuta
l of was held in the cabin as TO what shout
tire done a decision was reached very quic
d it Sine could sail two feet 20 our one, and It
sned plain that she could board us whether
fled consented or not There was some tai
setting up the arms, but this was only an
the men forward The head Of the brig
brought to the wind, and as darkness c
Feb stealing down over the sea the dhow G
gliding toward us like a serpent appro
Ing its prey.
From tue first appearance Of the oh
New had no doubt that she meant US evil.
I be ready 70 do my fun share toward bes
ling, her of; but when was told that there "
ittee be no resistance, and when she was y
'orge pistol shot Of US. entered the forecastle,
lard from thence, by means of sliding do
lson, the bulkhead, passed into the hold.
We we're rock ballasted, aud IN the
were a score or more Of empty crates
boxes. l selected one of these as pla
been refuge, having plenty Of matches 70 el
bod me to see my way through the darkness
ster- waited while 70 see what would ha
lains above
heard a hail from the dhow, another
ward above. and then a shock as the stranger
treet alongside. In g moment, as ! knew b.
inter- trampling overhead, We had been board
a large gang. Two or three pistols were
inter- there was shouting and running, and al
lbella few minutes made certain that the Ale
her had taken t,osSession Men began TO