r Tampico, so they headed the schooner for that
port. The steamer had been burned about three weeks before and the hull
lay on a bank in eight fathoms of water. The agent offered to engage
them to recover the safe for which he would pay them five hundred
dollars, or they could have the usual salvage, ten per cent. As it was
reported around the port that the safe contained over thirty thousand
dollars, besides a number of valuable packages belonging to the
passengers, they concluded to take ten per cent. For four days they
worked hard on the wreck, removing the confused mass of iron, which
was twisted into fantastic shapes by the action of the fire. On the
forenoon of the fifth day, Paul sounded something solid and heavy with
his pry, far down through the debris near the keel, and after about an
hour's hard work sent up the joyful signal: "I've got it," which was
received on deck with loud cheers. The chain hooks were now sent down
and after a lashing was placed around the safe, the order to "haul
away" was given. All hands manned the windlass and the safe was soon
suspended between the bottom and the surface. Paul now went up to
assist in getting it aboard. Sail was then Made and with light hearts
they stood in for the port. The safe was locked and to all
appearances uninjured.

"There is three thousand dollars there fur us, Paul me b'y," said the
captain as he patted the safe affectionately.

On arriving at the dock, the safe was transferred to the ware-house,
where it was forced open and to their dismay and disgust found that
it contained nothing of any value. It was subsequently found out that
the purser, seeing the ship in danger, had quietly transferred the
safe's money to himself and when he landed had vanished and so all the
hard work of raising the safe was in vain. Paul laughed at their bad
luck, while the captain swore picturesquely in several languages.
Preparations were again made for the voyage to the islands which had
been postponed on account of this misadventure. One evening the "Foam"
stood away to the east. Three o'clock the next morning a furious gale
set in and increased hourly until the vessel was under bare poles and
scudding for the coast. It was impossible to attempt to beat against the
storm, so they stood away helplessly before it, running on to a very
dangerous coast. At six o'clock that evening, she stuck in the breakers
on the beach opposite Pueblo Viego. Enormou