San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-05

ton that when first stepped on the vessels
deck | had shown my badge and at the
same time my revolver, which i said i
would use upon the first man who attempt
ed to disturb the cargo or laid hand upon
me. 1t was quite evident that there were
no firearms aboard the vessel at the time,
or matters might not have gone as smoothly
with me. The only way the vessel could
now be boarded was from boat, and this
gave me an opportunity of holding the
fort, which | would not have had had the
schooner been tied up alongside of the
wharf
When the smugglers and their pals had
reached the wharf they set up "A shout, call.
ing upon me TO come ashore in the boat
which lay alongside the vessel, to which |,
of course, paid no attention. The boat in
which l had made my trip to the schooner
lay on the shore, and in a few minutes
saw that an attempt was going to be made
TO board the vessel in the stream. The
boat was boarded and showed off toward
the schooner. l stood by to prevent a
landing on the deck being effected, and as
the first man placed his hands on the rails
to jump on board drew my revolver and
cooked it in his face, threatening to shoot
if he did not drop back into his boat.
Looking up suddenly saw cut throat
looking ruffian drawing bead on me with
a shotgun from the stern of the boat,
while dozen pirates called to him to
shoot, and l think the command would
have been carried out had not one of the
crew knocked the gun out of his hand into
the water, remarking at the same time
that 1--WE will all be hanged if you shoot
him."
can tell you l felt little easier when
saw that gun drop overheard But there
was, one against twelve, and l did not
know how many more recruits would ar
rive when word of the seizure reached
along the hostile shore had now been
thirty-SiX hours without sleep, and only a
cracker or two to eat, which had fortu-
nately put away in my pocket. l could
not leave the side of the vessel for one mo-
ment, and l did not know how long that
state of things would last. The nearest
point from where ! could get assistance
was twenty miles distant. To attempt to
hold the vessel against such odds, with no
prospect of help reaching me, was ridicu-
lous, as | must give in in the end so de-
termined to make the best escape | could
The boats crew, seeing that | meant
business, and that any one who attempted
to board the vessel took his life in his own
hands, after hanging around for an hour
or so, pulled for the shore to renew their
attack in another way. Immediately on
landing they arrayed themselves along in
line, and commenced fuSilade Of rocks
upon the vessel, smashing skylight and
everything breakable about the deck.
dare not leave the deck for fear that a Sec
ond attempt at boarding would be made,
and to protect myself from the torrent of
stones which were flying about my head
was obliged to take up position behind
one of the masts. against which l had to
stand in an upright position for over an
hour, as by this time re-enforcements had
arrived, and l can assure you they made it
pretty lively for me for while. After a
time, tired beyond endurance, l managed
TO get hold of the mainpeak halyards and
raise the gaff of the mainsail a few feet
above the deck, which gave me first rate
shelter from the shower of rocks which
was still falling upon the deck on all sides.
now began to think of what was best
to be done. If l surrendered now the
chances were that would not get away
alive, or at any rate would receive a rough
handling. l must manage to escape I'M
known to the crowd on shore, and this
could only be done after nightfall. IL
could escape by the boat. which lay along
side, and pull along the shore to the near
est settlement without their discovering
had left the vessel for some time, would
have a chance of getting assistance and be
able to return and secure the schooner,
possibly before they had time to unload
her. and certainly before they could get
away from the port. Upon this decided,
and laid my plans accordingly.
In the first place, must cripple the ves-
sci as far as possible, to prevent her being
taken away Immediately. l found mon
key wrench in the cabin, and set to work
to detach her steering gear l managed to
get the wheel off, which threw overheard,
and dislOCated the rest of the apparatus, so
as to render it completely unserviceable
for a little while at least. Either the
strength or stock of rock ammunition of
my assailants had become exhausted, and
for a while there was suspension of hos
tilitles. OF this lull took advantage and
wrecked in every possible way tackle and
rigging, so that if after left the craft an
attempt was made to run her out to sea it
could not be accomplished without consid-
cradle delay.
After | had carried my work of destruc-
ton to point when thought it ceased to
be further necessary in the eyes of the law
began to think of my departure, which
must be commenced as early after dark
ness closed down as possible. l got every
thing ready, oars mufIled, and a lantern
hung upon deck, that they might be more
likely to think was keeping watch after
had left the schooner Before stepping
from the deck into the boat l fired two