Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-16
steady strokes the double-banked oars
rapidly urged the substantial boat up the

steady strokes the double-banked oars
rapidly urged the substantial boat up the
dark, silent waters of the African river.
The shores were closely scanned as they
proceeded, but there was but little chance
OF the schooner finding a hiding-pla
among the thickly-interlaced mango
trees.
The sun set, and the short tropical twi-
light was followed by deep solemn night.
One by one the stars peeped forth, reflect
ed back in the dark depths Of the river,
and no sound was heard from the silent
depths OF the jungle on either side OF them,
save the occasional splash of an alligator,
or the howl of some beast of prey in the
distance. The oars had been muffled, the
utmost silence enforced, and moving eau
tlously forward, the reflection of lights
amid the gloom ahead told Ralph that
the prize he sought could not be far dis
tant.
Pulling inshore, the lieutenant left the
command in charge of his friend Wealth
ersby, informing him that he preferred
accommodating the ground before making
dash, and it he did not return inside of
two hours, to advance an attack without
reference to him.
Leaping on to the Shiny shore, Ralph
clambered up the steep bank, and guild
ing himself by the river, made rapid pro-
gress. When abreast of what appeared
to be town, Judging from the numerous
lights and ceaseless chatter of the negroes,
the officer found that deep creek pre-
vented him from approaching nearer; and
as the dim outline of vessels spars
loomed up Though the gloom, he was al
most tempted to take his chances with the
alligators, and swim. But fortunately he
was spared that desperate alternative.
Stumbling along in the dark through
the mud and mire of the creek, almost
sutfocated by the strong odor of musk
rising from the hideous caymen abound
ing on al sides, Ralph was fortunate
enough to ind an old worm eaten canoe,
with the remains Of a paddle in the bot
tom.
In an other instant he had dragged it
forth from the Shiny clay, and with eau
tious strokes dropped silently down with
the tide, gaining a position under the
dark counter of the vessel, which he re
cognized at glance as the Esmeraida.
The large stern ports were open, the
lace curtains partially drawn aside, while
the soft, pleasant light from large
swinging lamp Illuminated the apart
ment furnished with an elegance that
betokened considerable taste on the part
of the owner.
Asleep, on the velvet, cushioned tran
som, reclined the form Of u young lady,
her pale featurus, golden hair, and long
sweeping eyelashes but partially visible
to ka}ph as he steadied himself in his
crazy craft, clinging to the Ornamental
work Of the stern.
A line towing over the side served him
for painter; then, feeling for his revol-
yer, the officer drew himself noiselessly
up until his head was on level with
the rail, glanced about him for second,
and then boldly swung himself over the
taffrail.
The Esmeralda was moored to a half
ruined bamboo wharf, which was consid-
erably above the schooner's deck; and
keeping we'll in the shadow, Ralph crept
forward until he obtained an uno bstructed
view of the forward cabin.
Seated at a table covered with decanters
and glasses. was the Spaniard. His face
was pale, and broad bandaye encircled
his head In place OF the jaun1y cap with
its golden band. He had evidently been
drinking, and his gait was unsteady as
he approached the folding doors leading
to the private cabin. He muttered softly
to himself as he tried the doors, shook
them, and when they refused to yield, a
furious oath burst from his lips.
Ralph saw there was no time to lose,
and gliding rapidly back, resumed his
place in the canoe. He could easily have
| shot Jules Gaspardo, as he called himself,
but the crew of the schooner sleeping
beneath the awning on the main deck
would have quickly avenged their leaders
fall.
Drawing the curtains aside, the girl
was revealed to his eager gaze. She was
standing in the centre of the small apart
ment, pale and motionless as a statue,
watching the doors against which she
had piled all the movable furniture of the
cabin Every moment the doors threaten
ed to give way, while the enraged cries
Of the halt-drunken wretch echoed
through the room not unlike the subdued
growing Of a tiger.
Softly Ralph called to the girl; her
name in the excitement of the moment
he had lost. His handsome honest face
caught her startled eyes as she turned to-
ward the stern ports. A few words
sufficed to reveal his rank and object.
Another moment and she was in his arms.
1t was none too soon. The doors gave
way with q crash; the spaniard, raging
like wild man, reeled into the apart
ment, only to find his prize slipped
through his fingers. A yell Of baAled
rage and alarm was waited to Ralph's ears
as the old canoe foated quietly down the
stream safe from the eyes of thousand
men in all that gloom.
"Who goes there? Answer, or your life
shall pay the penalty!'' stern voice
whispered in Ralph's ear, as a dozen
hands caught the gunwhale of his canoe.
Gall right, Weathersby: it is I, end
here is the girl. Miss-what the deuce
is her name? Any way. I have got her;
she has tainted, so lay her in the stern
sheets-so. Now I am with you and
the Esmeralda is ours.''
1t was the launch coming up the river
The two hours had elapsed, and Wealth
ersby was not the man to lose moment
of valuable time. Although burning
with impatience to hear the details of his
friends adventure, there was no time
then to satisfy his curiosity.
The guns Of the Esmeralda had been
loaded and run out in anticipation of an at
tack, but the man-of-war's men had not
been expected 50 soon. With cheer the