The border vidette., 1897-06-05
!IiI8TSTEaERS ARRESTED.
Ben Hambleton Boards Their
Graft.
And They Considerably Beat
Him Up.
A United States Man-of-War Takes
The Men in After
Short Run.

Fort LAUDERDALE, (Fla) May 31st.
AN attempt to start a big expedi-
ton of men, arms and munitions of
war on the tilibuster, Dauntless, from
New River inlet at daylight this
morning led to a murclerogs assault on
Special Inspector Hambleton and a
defiance of the United States authori-
ties which will lead to serious results.
The flibuster was seized by the cruiser
Marblehead
Hambleton was aboard the schooner
Privateer when the filibustering
steamer Dauntless was seen Friday
night close in to New river. On be-
ing observed, she ran to sea and dis
appeared. The 2rivateer anchored in
New river to watch operations, and a
dispatch was sent notifying the au-
thocities at jacksonville. The Daunt-
less reappeared Sunday night and a
short while after the river steamer
Biscayne came II and Immediately be-
gan to transfer coal and munitions of
war to the Dauntless. The signals of
the Dauntless harmed brightly and a
huge fire on the sandpit at the inlet
Illuminated the huge breakers rolling
over the bar and enabled the filibusters
to hold a position convenient for re-
ceiving the rest of her cargo at the
first show of daylight.
1t was a night of suppressed excite
ment to both parties, especially so to
Officer Hambleton. who, with the as
sistance of three men, who constituted
the crew of the Privateer. had determ-
ined to board and capture the two
steamers with their crews and recruits
consisting of nearly one hundred men.
With the first streak of gray light the
steamer Bis ;ayne went down to the
bar and was soon alongside the Daunt-
less again, and the work of transferring
to the filibuster was renewed.
The Privateer Immediately made
sail, ana Officer Hambleton, with Ball
and Carroll of the Privateer crew,
sprang into the dingy, and, with IL
shotgun as his only weapon, gained
the side of the Biscayne. Here they
were met by the steamers mate, who
warned them off.
Officer Hambleton made known his
mission and demanded tie be allowed to
board. Being rcfusrd he seized the
gun and sprang aboard, followed by
assistants. He was met with bitter
curses and threats. The gun was
wrencheI from his hand, and while
two men hell him the otkers kicked
and beat him until few of the more
humane interfere1. Hambleton was
then hustled aboard the dingy and
pushed off. Before it had proceeded a
dozen rods the Dauntless cast off her
lines and steamed hurriedly out to sea,
while the Bis ;ayne sped away for the
inlet with half her cargo aboard. This
sudden moveiHennt was explained g.
moment later when the United Sta ties
warship Marbiehead was plainly seen
in the southeast. The telegram of
Sunday morning had started the ship
from Key West.
The Dauntless had good start and
was making fourteen knots an hour.
The Marblehead gained very slowly
until steam was raised in another boiler
VIXEN she rapidly overha4led the fill
buster and took her in charge. The
chase was an exciting one and lasted
several hours, but the gallant little
tilibuSter WAS no match for the swift
man-of-war. The Marblehead is due
at Key West in the morning with her
prize.
To Cure COnsI ipitiou Forever.