The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-02-19


losing Roadway in the short, chop sef
which prevented her from serving he
pivot gun effectually. A sailboat Dol
Dlng about in chop sea is hard oil
Ject to hit, and although the iron ball
flew thick and fast, not one touched tn
little cookie shell which plowed its wa
steadily toward the beach.
"A small lagoon, shaded by tall, over
hanging trees and thick fringe of man
groves, soon hid the boat from view
but not before l caught the fiutter of
white dress.
"There was a lady in the boat, bu
before could obtain good view
through my glass, the gunboat sweep
by, and l made up my mind to ancho
OFT the mouth of the creek where tn,
sloop had found refuge.
AT dusk manned the Jig, mufflef
the oars, and pulled in quietly unde,
cover OF the darkness. The sloop wa.
but short distance up the lagoon, living
close beside the bank. As l expected
she was empty and showing off, l landed
on the opposite shore.
"A sharp, stern hail from the under
growth rang in my ears, and as re-
Piled, American naval officer, l was
confronted by man who, despite the
gloom, | could make out as a creole and
fine looking young fellow at that.
II told him who l was, and he re-
piled by stating that he was an officer of
the patriot army, fernando Ruez by
name; that he had left headquarters for
short time, in order to place his sister
IN safe locality; that the gunboat had
sighted him while skirting along the
coast, and now he was left among the
bushes with lady on his hands and in
momentary fear Of hot pursuit
"'Were my sister ut Havana. he con-
tinued, where she has relatives and
friends, should have load removed
from my heart, senior. For myself l can
shift; but with her, Mercedita, reared
tenderly in the lap of luxury, this life
would soon result in her DEATH.
"'Senor Ruez, if you will permit me.
l Will assist you in your dilemma am
bound to Havana; my gig awaits my re-
turn yonder. Trust your sister with me.
and under my care she shall be safe and
placed i'll the hands of her friends
"'Senor Americana, you overwhelm
me; you earn my everlasting gratitude.
! owe you the life of my darling sister
Then turning toward the dark bushes.
he called, softly, 'Hermana (sister) come
hlther, pretty one, for time is precious,
and we must part
well, Jack, to cut my yarn short.
fernando Ruez turned his sister over
to my safe keeping One embrace, one
kiss, with wave of his hand to me, and
he was gone, leaving us two silent and
But 1 soon found NV
tongue, especially as l heard the dis
ant clank OF oars, which l knew at once
5fey. -
I'm an instant had her in the stern
sheets of the Fire Fly's gig. The oars
Tipped silently in the sluggish waters of
the lagoon, and shooting over to the OPP
posite bank, l was securely hid from
observation among the dense foliage OF
the mangroves.
"The Spaniard's boat pulled by. We
dropped down, floating silently with the
tide until safe distance lay between
the two parties. Then / gave the word
to give away, and we were soon along
side the trim schooner, without one OF
the Spaniards being the wiser for my in
reference.
"NIercedita was installed in full pos
session of tho cabin, and when ! first be-
held her matchless form-charms that"
".Heave and pull, Harry. Allow me
to Judge for myself, old fellow. Get the
schooner under way, and proceed on the
cruise. You can do that better than
describe pretty woman's points.
"'No more of your Interruptions, or
I'll Delay for you. Well, we reached
Havana, passed the frowning walls of
the Moro. and in due time L had the
pleasure of transferring the Senorita
Mercedita to the care of her friends and
relatives. They lived outside the walls
of the city, III charming villa, sur
rounded by an elaborate garden filled
with all the rare tropical plants and
shrubs known to the favored isle OF
Cuba. Fountains played incessantly,
the tinkle of the falling water minSllng
sweetly with the notes Of iniumerablc
feathered songsiers. The entire resi-
dence, both its interior, exterior, anu
surroundings. betokeneI wealth, luxury.
and refinement.
"Well. jack, for over IL year | con
tinnel visiting that delightful mansion
and was constantly thrown i'll contact
with Mercedita, who by this time had
become necessary to my very life, hap
piness, and existence. Still, / had re-
Trained from uttering one word thai
would in any way betray my secret.
THAT the senorita was not Indifferent
| TO me / was we'll assured, and the viyic
blush, the dropping eyelids, the trcmu
/ lous tone Of her voice, and-and--
"'Oh. never mind the rest, Hai-skil
over the courtship.'
lyon internal old barnacle, it woul'
serve you right to let the threads OF IN.
yarn remain as they are; but, on til