Arizona republican., 1893-01-13
QUEER PASSENGERS.
A Sea Captains Story of a Fam
 fly of Smugglers

Many passengers returning from England or the continent to the United States appear to imagine that they have done brilliant thing when they sacceed in smuggling dutiable goods through the customhouse. If they escape detection, they congratulate themselves on their cleverness in out witting the government officials; but when they are not successful, end are exposed, the case assumes different aspect
 The position of the smuggling trav- eter is indeed one of the most awkward imaginable.
 have been a witness of many anus. ing scenes that have occurred on the White star Ships and at their landing alace. One of these left lasting im- pression on my memory, owing per haps, to the extraordinary conduct of all the members of an entire family during the voyage from Liverpool to New York.
 In the early part of September, 1s7-, L stood at the gangway on the main deck of the Baltic, of which was then i'd command, at Liverpool, watching the passengers come on board from the fender. The ship was anchored in the river, about thrcequarters of a mile from the landing stage.
 Among the last to leave the tender was family which consisted of father. mother and four daughters. The father was an old man--short, stout and thick set. Ills wife was round, plump, very rcd in the face, and pantcd With the eXertion she was making.
 The daughters, on the contrary, were long, lank, and thin, both in face and figure.
 The whole appearance of the group was so poor, and their dress so shabby and worn. that as they went aft among the saloon passengers it seemed as if a mistake had been made, and that their proper place was in the steerage. Many of the immigrants were clad far more neatly.
 On the passage, two or three days later, happening to go aft one morning, Lagain remarked this curious family. They were sitting entirely apart from the other passengers, on the long wooden seat t.,at ran along the side of tie railing. steamer chairs were luxury in which, evidently, they had not indulged
 The father, mother and four daugh- ters--tnc daughters assembling flight of steps of even gradations-sat solemnly side hy side, without uttering word, and appearing as if they were assembled at a funeral.
 The ship was full of passengers, who were mostly Americans, returning from their summer outing. They had not much to occuTy their attention, and soon all who were well enough to enjoy any little novelty or excitement were attracted toward this strange and very eccentric family group.
 They rcspoalad so briefly and coldly to kind inquiries made of them by sew eral of the ladies that even the most inquisitivc were obliged to give up try ing to solve the problem which they 5ccmed to suggest. They were soon left entirely to themselves.
 Not one member of the family was ever seen alone, either on deck or in the saloon. If one of the party rose up to walk, all formed in solemn process sion. silently aud sadly they prom enaded up and down the deck, until, at a signal from the father or mother, all stopped and resumed their seats.
 One of the ladies who sat at my table asked me what thought of these peo- pie. '. had had no time up to that mo- ment to think about them at all, and told her so; but l added that, if the weather continued fine, I should cast an eye on them occasionally, and tell her what conclusion l arrived at.
 The weather proved favorable, and began to le somewhat interested in the family. Certainly their movements were very peculiar. Whether they were caused by timidity, eccentricity or a desire to be let severely alone, could not quite decide
 As the end of the passage approached, unmistakablc signs of anxiety and nervousness were visible in the faces of all the members of the family. One afternoon just before dinner, near the wheelhouse, the old man suddenly be- gan a conversation with gentleman who stood near. I haIpcned to over hear the ta k.
 The weather was the first topic; but soon the subject driftcd io that nearest the old mau'a heart He began to make Inquiries Ilout the custom house in- alcction.
 '.lre tho Ciicers very rigid in their