The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-06-15

nj ID September I. 1870, I had three
IlW ships busy with honest cargoes,
but did not get chance to do
any contraband running until
Just before it's close. Under fire
of the guns at Trieste I ran out
cargo OF guns, which delivered to the COM
mittee of safety at Bordeaux only few days
before the battle Of Sedan. Shortly after this
placed the Leckwith and my other ships in
the hands Of Nickel G CO. for charter and
sailed for New York.
The first word that reached me on my arri-
val was that my wife, who had sailed ahead
Of me, was seriously i'll at her old home in I'LL
nois. | went to her at once and remained
at her side until the end, three weeks later.
When returned to New York after the fu-
neral was greatly depressed and was in a
mood for anything that offered excitement. A
iew DAYS later met Frank (Francis Lazy Nor
ton Knowing each other by reputation, we
soon became friends. Later We became part
ners IN some Of the most gloriously exciting
exploits In which have been fortunate enough
to participate. Norton was natural born pi-
rate, and he looked the part.
y When first met him he was wild about the
China sea, where he had spent several thrill
Ing years and made several fortunes, but
heard 80 much of Venezuela and Of Guzman
Banco that my heart was set on going there
before ! undertook to explore any other
strange lands. The upshot Of our many dis
cussions was that sent Norton to London
to take command of the Leckwith until I was
ready to Join him. when it was agreed we
should 60 out In the yacht to his beloved
China sea-
After Norton's departure bought the small
foreand-aft schooner-yacht Juliette, fitted her
out at New London. Conn., for six months
cruise and started for Bermuda to test her sec
worthiness, with Lars Lorensen as sailing mas
ter, formerly Of the Leckwith, and brave
and loyal Norseman. Guzman Blanco was not
at st. Thomas, SO we went on to Curacao,
always revolutionary rendezvous, and there,
In the latter part Of December, / met Guzman
and General Pulgar his chief of staff. Guz-
I man, after many exciting political and mill
tary ups and downs, was planning an invasiop
Of Venezuela against the Monagas factioz.
then In power.
After he had studied me, asked all sorts Of
questions and apparently satisfied himself
that could be relied on, Guzman told me, in
general way. Of his plans and asked me to
secure for him 5000 old Remington rifles and
100000 cartridges and deliver them as quickly
as possible at Curacao
Some two months later I arrived at Curacao,
where, instead of Guzman Banco, l found
General ortega, who was with Guzman when
nrs met him and seemed to be fully in his
confidence. Ortega handed me note, bear
ms what purported to be the signature Of Guz-
man, which directed me to deliver the cargo
~ place to be indicated by Ortega, and
stated that payment for it would be made on
my cabin table. I showed the signature to
Two men who knew Guzman well, and both
pronounced 1t genuine. I had no suspicion
mas anything was wrong and took this pre-
caution simply as q matter Of ordinary bust
ness sense.
ortega directed me to deliver the cargo at
lucacas point, about one hundred miles west Of
20 Guayra, and, on arriving Ortega went
asaore and returned with request that
osuef on the matches and start the unloading
7 NE cargo In my boats and then go ashore
WIN nlm and get my money. This was not
II = accord with my contract with Guzman or
slh the note Ortegat had handed me, but l
laa great confidence in Guzman and did not
Asa 10 offend him. AS soon as the unloading
.as wen under way I went ashore with Or
Ssa' we Climbed the bluff and walked half
Aate lhland to mud-thatched hut before
aA1eh sentry was pacing. Ortega gave the
cvanesslgn and we stepped inside, to find
siai Fuigar, who was chief of staff for Guz-
alau Wheh was introduced to him. wrapped
i. cnlnchora and smoking in hammock
~ sApaned evasively that he was there in
~ 80 " Guzman. but when l asked him for
:, :, money he smiled and Strengthened up
o., 'olo ortega to deliver that message to
~, ne said. but there is no use mincing
ao'us and I may as well tell you that you
~ NY prisoner. Your cargo is being taken
~ ~ =. and will be put to very different pur-
s soss rom that which you expected AS I
a.. saiu you are my prisoner, but have an
an 49, - make you. It can't make much differ
~ % you whether you serve Guzman or
va s you will Join my forces I will make
hs...,, colonel and give you command of a
III, l,a 4n and when the revolution is over I
agreed to do" '''' '0>AA''n
shs asaln inquired where Guzman was, but
o sug Of the shoulders was the only answer
knas a.a ger to questioning along that line Not
tons u so much about Venezuelan revolu-
th,, . .uen as did later, I could not fathom
Nas strange situation to my entire satisfac-
pulg.s ~ -. u was my guess that in some way
III ~ !. mad become arrayed against Guzman.
! .a,s surneo out that was right.
swss = rulgar that I would give him an an
ortas.1 ne morning, and spent the night with
M ssa, under guard. I tried to draw him ont.
moi asa .usntly according to orders, he would
''s1 taiks about the weather.