The Treasure of Pearls by Gustave Aimard

There rode a charming little sailing vessel in Guaymas Port. It flew the Chilian flag, was about a hundred and twenty tons register, and was named _La Burlonilla_, or "Little Joker," which might be interpreted innocently, or as a tacit allusion to the pea used in "thimblerig. " She was so coquettish, so fine of run, so light and buoyant, and yet carried a good spread of sail, that the experienced Gladsden reckoned she would do her twelve knots an hour without shipping enough water to drown the purser's cat. But there seemed to be some mystery attending the ownership. The shipkeeper allowed no one to inspect her closely, far less to board her, even threatening our Englishman with a blunderbuss. He heard at the Heaven-and-Liberty Tavern that she was consigned to don Stefano Garcia, kinsman of the general Garcia, mixed up with the intrigues of Santa Anna, a rich merchant-banker, and hide dealer.

It was easy to make his acquaintance by constituting him his banker, for a remittance of a goodly amount which came on, _via_ New York and Mexico, just when he most wanted funds to enable him to ascertain what truth dwelt in Pepillo's story.