Here was a dilemma indeed.

Nothing could extricate the boat and its crew from their peril and not a man could raise a finger to help himself.
There was only one person who saw the only possible thing to do.
Lieutenant Boggs ordered the single white shirt in the party to be torn up, tied on the end of a boathook and displayed as a flag of truce.
Then, by his directions, the men rowed with all speed straight for the enemy, who were thus disarmed of their hostile purpose.

Walking up to the leader of the company, the lieutenant explained that he had been sent to destroy the _Truxton_, but had been driven ashore against his will.

He hastened to explain to the officer that he had no intention of attacking the town, but he should do so if any one tried to prevent his destruction of the stranded vessel.
When the insignificance of the American party is remembered, there was something amusing in this; but the Mexican officer not only gave his promise, but entertained his visitors until the gale was over.

Then the _Truxton_ was fired and Boggs returned to his ship.
He was on the Pacific coast when the Civil War broke out, serving as inspector of lighthouses.