St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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24 IGNATIAN cisco Bay. On the day after the eventful night on which the smugglers' boat had been seen to come to shore, a meeting was held at which the chief decided to station a number of men out in the channel aboard the Government boat, in order to capture the ship of the law-breakers. Several nights had been spent in this manner without any gratifying results, but on one occasion something like a voice from above told Redding that the tide was about to change. The cutter made her way into the channel off the Exposition grounds, and there awaited developments. The hours passed slowly for those aboard, as the novelty of the affair had by this time worn off, and it was impos- sible for them to occupy themselves in any way, all the lights being extinguished, However, at two-fifty-live a. m., a thrill was sent through the little party as three flashes of light, not three hundred yards ahead of them, pierced the inky blackness. A few seconds later the red light was seen ashore, and those aboard the Government boat decided that it was time to act. Each man was armed with a revolver, and, as the cutter glided stealthily through the waters, they crowded to the bow, in order to get a first glimpse of their prey. At last the hull of a fair sized steamer, with no lights showing, loomed up ahead. This, indeed, was the long expected moment, and Redding felt a wave of pride sweep over him as everything that he had prophe- sied materialized. The cutter was just about to glide up alongside of her, when she suddenly shot out, heading for the Golden Gate. The captain of the Government boat, rather chagrined at having been discovered, immediately signaled for full speed ahead, and gave chase to the fleeing vessel. The rapid firing gun, mounted upon the forward deck, was brought into use, and several shells were sent crashing into her cabin. However, by this time, those aboard her seemed to have decided that a race for liberty would result unprofitably, for she slowed down and then

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AN ORIENTAL MYSTERY 23 Ten days later at the same hour, another meeting was held. Connors' Hgrini' of the previous occasion was con- spicuous by its absence, as Yacht Harbor had been most diligently shadowed without any startling revelationsg and notwithstanding another lot of rugs had mysteriously arrived at the Turkish Building. It was Redding's turn to laugh when the chief announced that, as Connors' solu- tion had proven incorrect, his theory would be given a trial. Thereupon the chief selected several men, including Redding, to guard the Marina between the hours of twelve and six a. m. Accordingly each night at the appointed hour, a little band of men made their way to the Marina, and there separated to patrol the shore until the first rays of daybreak should tint the sky in the east. Three nights were thus spent without anything out of the ordinary being discovered, but as long as no rugs were smuggled in they held out hopes for the ultimate suc- cess of their plans. Perseverance conquersf, if we are to believe the adage of our forefathers, and in this case it proved true, for at about three-thirty a. m. of the fourth night, a bright light was seen to flash three times out of the darkness. Immediately those on duty knew that there was a ship in the channel, from which a small boat would soon put off. In a few seconds a red light, in answer to this signal, was seen by the shore in the rear of the Cali- fornia Building, and it was surmised by the silent watchers who, by this time, had gathered together, that that was where the small boat would land. A few minutes later, as a rift in the clouds let forth the silvery rays of the hitherto hidden moon, they heard a rowboat grate upon the rocky beach at the point where the red light still shone out upon the silent waters. 22 if vk ik ak ak vi: Ik 211 jack Redding's heart beat fast with joyful expectancy as the revenue cutter slipped noiselessly out into San Fran-

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AN ORIENTAL MYSTERY 25 lay to while the cutter drew alongside. One of the officers seized a megaphone and cried: Ahoy there on deck! At first there was no answer and then came over the side in the voice of a foreigner: What ees eet that you want? We'l1 let you know when we get up there, replied the employee of Uncle Sam, and then added, Drop us a lad- der. In a few seconds one came dangling down, and the entire party was soon on the deck of the steamer. There before them lay a pile of rugs, which evidently were to have been smuggled into the Exposition grounds that very night. What ees eet that you want? again inquired the cap- tain of the vessel in a most submissive tone. We'll just take you into San Francisco. replied the customs officer, displaying his insignia of office, and have you arrested for smuggling. That's all we want with you. Eet ees all one beeg meestakef' cried the excited little foreigner, as he paced up and down the deck, but I sup- pose I weel have to submit to your ordairsf' On the following day a quarrel with the officials of the Turkish Building took place. Accusation after accusation was fired back and forth between the two parties, and for a time all indications pointed to an ultimate breach be- tween them. The Turkish officials were threatened with being forced to close their exhibit palace and they, in turn, asserted that if anything of the sort were attempted, they would appeal to their Government for means of re- taliation. However, an agreement was finally reached, and friendly relations reestablished. Everything goes on at present as before, except that Uncle Sam assists the Turk- ish officials in landing their rugs. Dafwell VV. Daly.