Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-05-19

Tampico river, and about noon on the
tenth day we stretched in over the bar
with leading wind that would easily
have carried us with q flowing sheet up
to the town. which was nearly twelve
miles above; but, for reasons best known
to himself, the captain anchored as soon
as we passed the fort and rounded Point
Tampico, just above and out Of the teeth
of its guns.
The revenue boat from the guarda
costa came on board before our sails
We're furled, and the custom house Off
GERS overhauled our papers and manifest
They seemed little suspicious, and one
of the officers was left on board to
watch us, while the rest went on board
their own craft, which lay nearly half a
mile farther down the river, under the
guns of the fort.
As soon as dinner was ready the cap
tain invited the revenue officer down in
the cabin to dine with him, and as they
went below the former winked his large,
laughing blue eyes at the mate, and ]
knew well there was fun in the wind.
AS soon as the captain and Mexican
had got below, the mate slipped into the
small boat and sculled ashore. In tbs
meantime, | could tell by the lively
voices in the cabin that the officer and
captain were getting along very well to.
gether, and once in awhile the tinkle Of
meeting glasses and a jolly song spoke
of "spirit potential" that was playing
upon the hearts and senses of both par.
ties.
At last, little after dark, with real
Havana in each Of their mouths, they
came on deck, the skipper and tn,
watcher. Both were decidedly and
equivocally drunk, if one might judge
from their walk and conversation; but
could see at a single glance that the cap
tain was shamming, although the "spir
itual reality" was visible in the Mexi
can. He seemed, however, to retaiI
some notions of his duty and to know
that, as night was over US, if we intended
to smuggle it was necessary for him Il
keep his eyes open. So he seated him
self on the taffrail with an air of drunkel
dignity, and as he hummed Spanish
barcaarolle, kept watch over the move
ments of the crew about the deck, glanc
ing now and then up and down the still
river.
As the night advanced saw that Cap
tain Martin began to look uneasy AM
anxious, although he pretended to b
even more drunk than his guest ant
spy.
At last, when it was near midnight
the Mexican became less frequent in hi
snatches of song, and the "liquor browse
seemed to be coming over him.
Captain Martin now lay down besid
the Mexican and pretended to fall into
sound sleep, attesting the same by a long
loud and regular snoring. This threy
the Mexican completely off his guard
and wrapping his watch coat close
around him he followed suit, and the
the twain seemed to be trying whic
could snore the loudest.
When the Senior Mexicana had &C
fairly under headway the captain aros
lightly from the deck, and passing fol
ward took the lantern from the binnacl
and held it for minute over the bows
Presently | saw several dark object
coming out from under the shadow c
the land, and in few moments NOR
six large native canoes were alongsid
of us.
In the first one that boarded us wa
the mate and merchant, whom | we
knew to belong to one of the first house
in Tampico The boat came noiselessl
alongside and their crew crept stealthil
ON board. Without sound the hatche
were raised and package after packag
of rich dry goods was passed up frol
the hold and over the side into the boat
by the tawny, half naked rascals.
The boats were nearly all loade
when |, who had been placed to kee
watch over the sleeping revenue office
saw him open his eyes, and before
could move or speak he saw and con
pretended all that was going on. Spring
ing to his feet he shouted:
"Guarda costa-contrabandista"
One bound from where he stood b
the main hatchway to the tatfrail an
our captain was by the side of the office
with his brawny hands encircling th
, windpipe from which proceeded so muc
noise.
The Mexican tried to draw his swort
and struggled manfully to get free frol
the choking grip, but Captain Marti
, knew that the entire loss of his vess'
and cargo would follow detection, an
he was not disposed to trifie. Raisin
: the Mexican. in spite of his kicks an
= writings, he coolly pitched him owe
!. board.
1t was quite dark, and as the tide ws
. ebbing swiftly downward he passed OF
= of sight instantly, but for minutes "
- could hear him splashing and gurglin
in the water and trying to shout. The
= : all was still again. We knew nj
whether he had sunk or gained Il
shore, nor, to tell the truth, did we ca
:; much.
Bear a hand, boysr said the ca
Il tain; tumble in these packages; g
J. the rest of the goods intO the boats al
Il let them get ashore. If that dago b
"a not drank too much water, he may g.
o us some trouble about this matter yet
In few moments the last package
:, "a - M