Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-09-09

clever, handy chap whom I had several time
thought of taking into our confidence whe1
the rescue scheme was at first undeveloped
Having coughed and hemmed, once or twice
and figetted about with my things, which lay
in heap on the floor, as l had kicked them of
at night, Mat looked at me very knowingly
and said, pulling his forelock:
"If YOU please, sir, don't you nor the frs
officer be in any taking about the young lady
With your permission, me and some OF tht
other chaps have plan which will beat tht
Papishes hollow. Just give US leave, sir, anc
the thing is done, and the young lady will bt
as safe as bird, SIR
"'But what's your plan ? said I, for wa!
beginning to feel I'd done enough in the con
cern, and would willingly shove off the re
sponsibility upon Martin, Mat or any one who
liked to takeit.
emusic, sir said Mat, coming con6den
TALLY nearer, and chuckling so that I could
hardly make out what he said. Well receive
the gentlemen, or deputation, or what-not
with all the ropes manned and the colors fly
ing, and the band playing on deck, just as il
it was the Admiral or the Dock himself
"'Well, and what P ISssked, rather Grossly
for couldn't quite see the point Of his won
derful reception, nor how it was to relieve us
of anxiety on the score Of Dolores safety and
our own.
"Why, the big drum, sir said Mat, tri.
umphantly, as if he had now mentioned some.
thing so crushingly conclusive that all further
explanation was unnecessary. I plays it as
you know, and I'll play it tomorrow, but not
so hard as to hurt the young lady inside, sir.
"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 strong
party of priests ard 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 the search proved fruitless and
unavailing. They left not Granny unnoticed
while the band played gaily on deck, and the
big drum appeared to do quite as much duty
as usual, though the broad grins on the faces
of some of the bandsmen, and the preternatu.
raj solem nifty Of Mats countenance might
have led any one to suspect that something
was up.
MARTIN was of course introduced to the
visitors as first officer of the ship, and one Of
the old priests asked him suspiciously if this
were the usual state of things on board an
English vessel-band playing, and flags fly
ing as if for holiday?
"Oh, no. Martin answered coolly; we
saw the captain was bringing off boat-load
of distinguished visitors, the first thing this
morning, and I instantly set about having
the ship dressed, and the music playing, to do
honor to their arrival.'
"The old chap couldn't but be pleased at
this compliment, and at last they all cleared
out, making thousand apologies for having
for an instant suspected any Of our honorable
number for completely in the nuns escape
We heard them as they left, deciding to make
for the opposite side of the island, where
dwelt a wild tribe of fisher people, who might
have given the girl shelter.
"How we laughed as they were rowed
ashore! Although there was still old Grips
to tell, which, to my mind, was the worst
part of it, our spirits began to rise with the
success of our last move.
"The bandsmen cleared up their instru.
ments and then retired, and Dolores was
huddled back into Martins cabin, where
breakfast was spread, and the key turned on
her. believe the Captain was the only man
on board his own ship who did not see the
whole transaction but he was tremendously
taken up with our immediate ea-going or.
ders, which had just arrived, and the anchors
were to be weighed and the Valeria off to
Lisbon without an hours delay.
"We all had to look alive that morning
and I declare it wasn't till we sat down to
dinner in the afternoon, by which time we
were almost out of sight Of St. Michael's, that
l had time to think of the little prisoner in
Martins cabin; though to judge from his
moony look, Martin had never thought Of
anything else Naturally the conversation
at the Captains table, at which the senior
officers likewise dined, turned upon the ex.
animation of the morning, and in answer to
a mute appeal from Martin opposite, who
was unable to say word, I boldly asked old
Cripps, point. t.blank, what he would have
done if the poor little girl had run for ref:
uge to the Valeria from the tyranny of the
priests.
"'Done, sir!" thundered the old gentle
man, spluttering over his grog in his excite.
ment, I'D have done what every other Chris
tian and officer and gentleman would have
done; given the poor little creature shelter
and protection from the rascals that were
hunting her, and chance of becoming a
a sensible British protestant! Why, by Jove,
when those smooth.faced blackguards went
sneaking over my ship this morning and
had to palver and speak civilly to them, |
just wished the girl had been aboard, that
might have had hand in saving her. I'll
warrant you we'd have managed to keep her
out of sightp
"Martin gave gasp, like whale coming
up to blow, and jumping up from the table
unceremoniously rushed out In a moment
he was back again holding the little nun by
the hand.
"Ofcourse old Grips couldn't say anything,
after the manner in which he had committed
himself beforehand. And though he gave us
tremendous jawing about the risk, etc., we
had run, believe he enjoyed the lark as
much as anyone especially as his part in it
didn't begin until all the danger was over.
I'm not sure that he would have liked driving
that jackass down the vineyards; but he was
wonderfully polite to Dona Dolores and made
her as comfortable and welcome as possible,
lent her sermons to read, which she took
very demurely, and evidently felt he had
scored one to himself off the Pope by the move.
eve got into Lisbon the next day, and
the girl was handed over to the English
chaplain's wife, who rugged her out for her
weddinp with Martin which took place q
few days afterward