"Put the irons on him, Quartermaster," said the lieutenant, and handcuffs were snapped on the first mate's wrist.
Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard.
Stranded! After Storm has Ceased and Tide has Ebbed.
The end of a gallant bark driven on a lee shore, but from which the Coast Guard rescued every one on board.
"Any more of your men mutiny, Captain?" asked the lieutenant.
"I tell you whole story," the shipmaster answered. "You speak Italian?"
"French," the Coast Guard officer answered, "but not Italian."
"French? Fine!" the captain replied, and stepping forward, he told the story of the trip. It appeared that the ship had part of her cargo consigned to Vera Cruz, consisting of cartridges, designed for the Mexican government. The mate had practically seized the ship and demanded that the captain sail her to Puerto Mexico, one of the southern ports, in the hands of the Zapatistas. The Mexican rebel general was to pay a good price for the ammunition, and then the captain was to be allowed to proceed with the ship unmolested on the rest of his cruise.