The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-04-22
THE SMUGGLER.

In 1884, when was yet youngster
before the mast, took trip to Tam
pico in little trading schooner called
The Ella, commanded by jolly skipper
from Florida, one Nat Martin, dark
skinned Spanish creole, who, ''fof
short, was always called by his friends
Mig" The schooner generally carried
out her dry goods and provisions on her
owners account, but always had an
idea that she ..tonned" more than her
register made her responsible for.
We were only nine days on our run
from New York out to the mouth of
Tampico river, and about noon on the
tenth day we stretched in over the bar
with a leading wind that would easily
have carried us with a flowing sheet up
to the town, which was nearly twelve
miles above; but, for reasons best known
to himself, the captain anchored rs 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
were furled, and the custom house OH
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 the
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 jolly song spoke
of q spirit potential that was playing
upon the hearts and senses Of both par
ties.
At last, q little after dark, with real
Havana In each of their mouths, they
came on deck, the skipper and the
watcher. Both were decidedly and
equivocally drunk, if one might judge
from their walk and conversation; but
could see ct single glance that the cap
tain was shamming, although the "spir-
itual reality was visible in the Next
-can. He seemed, however, to retain
. some notions Of his duty and to know
that, as night was over MS, If we intended
to smuggle it was necessary for him to
{ 1r<Aavn HE c. he kol ~
/ self on the taffrail with an air of drunken
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 and
anxious, although he pretended to be
even more drunk than his guest and
spy.
At last, when it was near midnight.
the Mexican became less frequent in his
ssnatches Of song, and the ''liquor browse"
seemed to be coming over him.
Captain Martin now lay down beside
the Mexican and pretended to fall into
sound sleep, attesting the same by long,
loud and regular snoring. This threw
the Mexican completely off his guard,
and wrapping his watch coat closer
around him he followed suit, and then
the twain seemed to be trying which
could snore the loudest
When the Senior Mexicana had got
fairly under Roadway the captain arose
lightly from the deck, and passing for
ward took the lantern from the pinnacle
and held it for minute over the bows.
Presently saw several dark objects
coming out from under the shadow of
the land. and in few moments more
six large native canoes were alongside
of MS.
In the first one that boarded MS was
the mate and a merchant, whom well
knew to belong to one Of the first houses
in Tampico. The boat came noiselessly
alongside and their crew crept stealthily
on board. Without sound the matches
were raised and package after package
q rich dry goods was passed up from
the hold and over the side into the boats
by the tawny, half naked rascals
The boats were nearly all loaded
when |, who had been placed to keep
watch over the sleeping revenue officer,
saw him open his eyes, and before ]
could move or speak he saw and com
pretended all that was going on. Spring
ing to his feet he shouted:
"Guarda costa contrabandistar
One bound from where he stood by
: the main hatchway to she taffrail and
,'our captain was by the side of the officer
with his brawny hands encircling the
wlndpipe from which proceeded SO much
noise.
The Mexican tried to draw his sword,
and struggled manfully to get free from
= the choking grip, but Captain Martin
knew that the entire loss of his vessel
and cargo would follow detection. and
he was not disposed to trife. Raising
the Mexican, in spite of his kicks and
= writings, he coolly pitched him over