Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1880-09-30

road which the pursuers had taken was the
3 0le that led straight to the entrance Of the
Jews quarter, and it was clearly impossible tc
try to make that port. had not moment to
reflect, or probably should not have dared to
dowhat I did. Raising and dIsentangline
Dolores from her heavy cloak, L half dragged,
half carried her across the vineyards, down to
the seaboard. and thence by the quickest and
quietest road, tothe steps where had teld the
men to meet me with the boat. 1t was lying
in waiting, for the big clock in the cathedral
had Just struck ten, and without cermony
tumbled my living bundle into it, and
jumping in after her, gave the word to be
Not minute to soon-for the quay was all
at once alight and alive with people and Ian
terms. The news of the escaped nun had just
reached the town, and saw my old enemy,
the mule, being dragged into the Plaza and
surrounded by crowd of gaping Spaniards.
who seemed to expect he would open his
mouth and tell them what had become of the
runaway. Our boat did not altogether escape
notice, for some one ran along the quay with
a lantern, and east long bright flash across
our course but we had pulled through it be-
fore anyone could have recognized that the
dark mass in the stern of the boat was the lost
lady.
My men pulled on in steady, stony Brit
ish silence just as if their officers were in the
habit of making d dash for it every two or
three evenings a week, with some young lady
or other. But | was beginning to feel horri-
bly, uncomfortable as to the reception Captain
Cripps would give me and our fair visitor,
and / recollected with relief that for this night
at all events he was safely disposed of. l
thought 1t best to give the men my version of
the story so before we reached the Valeria,
told them, i'm the most business like manner
possible that the young lady was detained
against her will in convent and had appealed
for protection to the, British ,man-o- war
"Where she'll find it, lads, of counsel" ended
was very far from feeling. -, F.aff:>i
Wasn't I glad just to find myself safe on
board the Valera again, handing over Dolo-
res who by this time was quite frightened
and cowed into silence, 10 my superior officer,
as in duty bound and retiring bit aft myself
until their first greetings should be over. Then
came forward and explained briefly how 10
was that the plan of boarding Mother Zachary
in the Jews quarter had fallen through, and
49, exenerated myself for taking the dangerous
step of bringing the girl to the Valera, which
would In all probability be searched the first
thing next morning by the local officials with
a warrant from the English Consul.
Naturally the presence of the lady could
not be concealed from the other officers and
the ships company, most of whom were al
ready agog to knew who was this mysterious
female who had suddenly appeared on the
quarter deck: Martin, calling the men togeth-
er, gave them much such an explanation of
the affair as I>had made in the boat, keeping
his own and my special part in the business
cleverly ont of sight, and leaving each of his
auditors with pleasing impression that it
was in consequence of his own remarkable
aas l1opf fho
Spanish girl had flown for protection to the
men of the Valera. at r.
Martin then conducted Dona Dolores to his
own cabin, where she was entreated to make
herself as much a. home as possible, for though
an untoward accident had marred the compile
ton of our plans for her safety, there was
not man on board the ship that night who
would not prevent her return to the convent
if necessary with his life. Martin was to turn
In along with me, but though Twas almost
dead beat, it was long time before he would
different ways of concealing the young lady
during the search which we knew was inevita-
BILE next day and for appeasing the wrath of
the captain, a rigid disciplinarian and mar
tinet, which was only one degree less terrible.
fell asleep in the middle of the discussion,
and Martin, believe went up on deck to star
gaze, or else stationed himself on guard out
side his own cabin door. within which he had
cautioned the girl to remain until something
was decided for her safety.
i was reused out of what seemed only like
an hours sleep by the knock and entrance of
Mat, one of the mess walters; a clever hand
chap, whom I had several times thought of
taking into our confidence when the rescue
scheme was at frat undeveloped. Having
coughed and hemmed once or twice, and fidg-
eted about with my. things, which lay in
heap on the floor, as l had kicked them off at
night, Mat looked at me very knowingly and
said, pulling his forelock:
IF you please, sir, don't you nor the first
officer be in any way taking about the young
lady. With your permission me and some of
the other chaps have a plan which'll beat the
Papishes hollow. Just you give us leave, sir,
and the things done, and the young lady as
safe as a bird, SIR"
'"But what's your plan?' said l, for was
beginning to feel I'd done enough in the con-
Germ, and would willingly shove off the rest
of the responsibility on Martin, or Mat, or
anyone who liked to take 1t.
Music, SIR" said Mat, coming confden-
tiallynearer, and chucklng so that l could
hardly make out what he said. EVEN re-
ceive the gentlemen, or deputation, or what
not, with all the ropes manned, and the colors
flying, and the band playing ON deck, just
as if it was the Admiral or the Dock him.
self" @-t =
"Well, and what then ?" asked rather
Grossly for couldn't quite see the point of his
wonderful reception, nor how is was to relieve
us of anxiety on the score of Dolores and our
own safety. ---
'"Why, the big drum, sir p said Mat,
trinmphantly, asifnow he had mentioned some
thing so crushingly conclusive that all further
explanation was unnecessary. 81 plays it, as
you know, and I'll play it Tomorrow, but
not so hard as to hurt the young lady inside,
sir" e.,
And in the big drum Dolores was actually
concealed next morning when old Captain
Cripps as innocent as lamb of what had oc-
Cured during his absence, conducted a strong
party of priests and police officials over and
into every nook and corner of the Valeria in
search OF the missing nun. We were all in
fits of laughter while the old fellow did the
honors of his vessel, and the Spaniards' faces
grew longer as their search proved fruitiess
and unavailing. They left not Granny un-
noticed while the band played gaily on deck
and the big drum appeared to do quite as
much duty as usual. though the broad grins of
the faces Of some. of the bandsmen, and tho
preternatural solemnity Of Mats countenance
might have led! anyone to suspect that some
thing was up.
Martin was of course introduced to the visi:
tors as first officer of the ship and one old
priest asked him suspiciously il this were the
usual state of things on board an English ves-
sci, band playing and flags flying as if for a
holiday? -.
.'"Oh, no." Martin answered coolly 1--WE
saw that the captain was bringing off a boat
load of distinguished visitors the first thing
this morning, aud instantly set about having
the ship dressed and the music playing to do
honor to their ARRIVAL" .s1t 80 80
The old chap couldn't but be pleased at
@sRas aaa e. as dsy FL f hsss
for sneihstaat suspected any Of our honorable
number of completely in the nuns escape,
We heard them as they left deciding to make
for the opposite side of the island, whe, 9
dYelt wild tribe of fisher people who might
have given the girl shelter. How we laughed