Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-02

other vessels beside hig-making preparations
for an outing. One after another weighed
anchor, but before they had proceeded far it
became apparent that they must submit to
q trying ordeal. The captain continued:
We found that we would have to encounter a
well-equipped and terrifying looking craft, in
those days commonly called NEGRO catchers."
Finally our turn came, as the blank shot across
our bows from our challenger soon indicated.
Rounding to our vessel We were boarded by the
search officer and his attendants, with no little
misgivings on our part. You see, in the days
OF yors the south, while owning their slaves,
were not by any means in quiet enjoyment OF
their property. They not only had to contend
with the incinations Of the slaves to free them
selves, but also with the unscrupulousness of
some persons who were aiding them to secure
their escape. Hence in the course OF events
as means OF better security and protection
against this contraband traffic-the south ell
| acted what wasgenerally termed a search law"
This simply meant that all vessels leaving a
southern port, bound north, should be thor
oughly searched, and for each runaway found
on board the guilty party or parties were liable
to term OF seven years imprisonment, and in
some cases the penalty was no less than I'M
| prisonment Of captain and crew and confsca,
| ton of vessel
HOW HIS FATHER GOT CAUGHT.
In this connection am reminded Of an ex-
perience of my father, happening many years
| ago. He had loaded a cargo in Richmond,
Va, the usual care being taken as to ''stow-
| Always" The matches we're closed. decks
cleared and the vessel started down the river.
| In ''Trent's Reach" not many miles below the
| city. the light wind or change of tide neces-
STATED anchoring the vessel! While walking
| the deck and hearing rather singular noise,
! father exclaimed to his mate: II hear noise
| below decks, believe we have q runaway on
] board" He directed the forehatch to be
| opened. No sooner was it off. and before one
] could realize the situation. out jumped soon
| traband," and over the vessels rail into the
| river he plunged.
Discovering that there were others on board
the matches were put in place, and with all
| possible dispatch, my father left his vessel in
charge Of the mate and repaired to Richmond,
| reporting the facts of his find.
The authorities sent "tug" and had the
vessel towed back to the city, and after a thor
| ough search, some three or four negroes were
| brought to light, their tan-colored faces and
wearing apparel being additionally beautifed by
| their laundering in the cargo OF 'bituminous,"
| after which the hold was thoroughly fumigated.
That there had been '.contrabands" on board
| my fathers vessel was a settled question. The
next thing was to prove how they came there
| and to establish the innocence of captain and
crew, which was no easy matter to do at the
best. Fortunately. after q trying ordeal and
detention OF vessel and crew, they were finally
| released and allowed to proceed on their voy-
age.
| 80 much for slavery and its accompanying
| terror-inspiring laws protecting it (Which main
| tanned even in times Of peace. SO some con-
ceptIon to the real state OF affairs ut the out
break of the war, which, precipitating the bar
riers to a certain extent, thereby opened many
| avenues of escape to fugitive slaves. can be
| formed. ask, is it to be wondered at that Gas
| the search officer planted bis foot on the deck
| OF my vesseD l should feel just trife discon-
certed1
SEARCHING HIS OWN SHIP
The suiutation was: "Heilo. old captain, you
| are here again. Guess you had better stay this
| time, as you will hardly get into these waters
again. would just like to find about dozen
| niggers on board this time. as will not get an
other chance at you soon."
Ireplied with the question: "why do you
"Oh, thought you might as well rs not stay
! now that You are here"
'By the way" said he, captain, have you
heard the news?"
'What news?' asked.
"Why! l tell you things are getting lively.
The Massachusetts, troops, on the way to Wash
] ingtoR, were attacked in Baltimore and badly
cutup. So by the time you get home you will
want to come down and help to whip US 'rebs.
| wont you?''
While all this apparent testing was in progress
| the search was being made in every nook and
corner for the ''contraband" that, luckily for
| uS, WAS uOt there. 1ulS SEARCH TeSulLeO In our
| obtaining clean bill, which, however, called
for fee OF SO, the imposition Of which was
| always a source Of much annoyance to sailing
masters. and. unjust as it doubtless was, was
always reluctantly paid.
"Well, as we cannot find coon on board
guess we will have to let you CO." said the
searcher. Goodbye, old fellow. II don't
in Dizzy"
l told him would certainly be around and
take particular pains to single him out as q
mark.
! Twas then up helm, and. full sail set, we
| were soon on our journey seward
Indignation? don't talk. We had taken our
several doses Of the same medicine before like
men. and this last send-off made US even more
though We could wipe out the confsderacy in
| short order.
In due time we reached New York to find the
wood market glutted and things generally de-
pressed, save that war cry" matters were at
| fever heat.
After some consultation with my consignees
as to the disposition OF my cargo I told them
that would leave the same in charge Of them
and my mate, as had contemplated run over
TO Philadelphia (my home).
what" was asked. Captain. you're not
going to enlist are you?'
Having given my mate a line OF general in
structlons l took the train for home Upon
arrival there ! found things booming The
boys were all being drilled, and a. my EN-
thusiasm had been thoroughly aroused it is
| needless to add that was along with them and
going for q soldier Our company was in fair
condition and about to be sworn in and
equipped when a telegram from my consign-
ees summoned me to New York There found
that my mate had gone on . glorious spree.
II being essential that the vessel should receive
prompt attention IN order to dispose of the
cargo had no other alternative than to as
sumo my former station and don my aocus-
toned nautical rig.
THE WRECK OF THE JANE.
Another story the captain told, not relating
to the war, but Of the wreck of the Jane, OF
| which he was the mate. He said:
| We had been harbored, or rather partially
sheltered, in what IL commonly termed "a one
| sided harbor" for several days. the wind baf-
fling and varying from ''calm to gale" till
finally seeming signs Of clearing weather ap-
pesred with . moderate westerly wind. The
unrest incident to the storm-stayed mariner
became apparent, q was manifested on board
| several OF our accompanying feet at anchor.
Here and there the head Of ''skipper" could
| be seen pesping out OF the companionway or
| the quarter deck being paced. At last the COM
mand is given, Stand by, man the brakes" The
one leading on soon wasfollowed, till many joined
In the "chorus' Of rafting chains and clicking
psuls, We among them. Our skipper sang out,
short anchor, mp mainsail, boys, them the fore
The anchor being hove In reach Of the 'cat
n~sfs - d. A.-1