The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03
Caught by the Sergeant Pointed
to Surrender.

the man on watch at the lookout station
on Point Lobos heard six sharp whistles
in rapid succession.
That was the prearranged signal by
which the tow boat that should bring in
the Swanhilda was to herald her coming.
1t was very dark, but the lookout did not
wait for closer inspection of the distant
ship in tow. he Immediately telephoned
in to the Merchants Exchange station on
Meiggs wharf.
Little Jimmie Black was there TO re-
ceive the message. He in turn telephon ed
it at once to the residence of United States
Marshal Barry Baldwin and then hastened
out TO arouse the officers and Australian
detectives in the little harbor police sta
ton nextdoor and TO awaken the repre-
sentatives OF the press sleeping in neigh
boring small buildings.
Their long vigil was at an end. Like
men scrsmbling out OF house afiame
came sleuths, policemen and reporters.
But there was ample time yet. Nothing
could be seen showing the faintest light
between the regular beacons on Fort Point
to the south and on the more distant Point
Bonita to the north of the Goldan Gate
passage through which the ship must
come.
The little revenue cutter Hartley, lying
close up to and almost hidden by the
height of the wharf, fired up and got
ready to leave at a moments notice with
the small party of officials and writer's
gathered in an expectant, eager group
and watching for towboats lights to
show from behind the sharp profile of the
old abandoned fort that stands as south
ern gatepcst TO the entrance to the bay.
AS they were still scanning the murky
width of waters Marshal Baldwin arrived
in a coupe. He had made arrangements
10 have one near his house ready for use
on short notice. A few moments later
two newspaper men arrived from down.
town press agencies, where they had just
finished sending the last of the nights
news East.
The crowd was complete, all the neces-
sary furctionaries were on hand, yet
nothing showed around the point.
Perhaps it was half-past O'clock when
very near on line with the edge of the
fort a bright flash of light. followed
quickly by another flash, frightened for
moment the dark horizon. 1t was the
towboat's signal. The long-expected
Swanhilda was behind that fash.
No time was lost in scramb bling off the
wharf and down to the deck of the
Hartley. Every one seemed eager to be
in at the death. There was sudden
slushing sound of violently disturbed
water. man had, in his hurry, missed
his footing and gone overheard between
the boat and the piles. His head popped
up alongside. Some one pulled him in
over the low gunwale and as the shlvering
victim of the unexpected early morning
plunge was helped to his feet the others
recognized him as one of the late arrivals.
1t was Agent Jones, who had come post
haste from the Associated Press office
down town.
The cutter got under way Immediately
and steamed down the bay to meet the
floating home of the arch murderer.
Directions were given by the chief
officials to the men crowded in the cabin.
The United States quarantine officer was
aboard. No one but the doctor and the
American officers were to show themselve
when the incoming ship should be near at
hand. The Australian detectives and the
press represe natives must remain in the
cabin until the proper moment or the
murderer might cause unnecessary
trouble, or, perhaps, despairing, attempt
suicide should he suspect anything other
than the ordinary health and customs an
spection familiar to sailors entering for
eign port.
Just opposite the Presidio the Hartley
passed alongside the Alert and moment
later bumped gently against the starboard
side of the big Swanhilda. 1t was too dark
to distinguish faces on deck.
Up the pendent rope-ladder that was
thrown over the side clim bed Boarding
Officer Sprague, captain of the customs
watch. and behind him Sealing Officer
Ferguson, also of the customs service. Fol-
lowing in succession up over the side OF