The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-17
Noss.

for this night at all events, he was safely
disposed of. I thought it best to give
the men my version OF the story go,
before we reached the Valerie, told
them, in the most businesslike manner
possible, that the young lady was de-
tanned against her will in convent, and
had appealed for protection o.the British
man-o'-war Where she'll find 1t, lads,
of course y ended, with q confidence
which I'm bound to say was very far
from feeling.
Wasn't glad just to fnd myself
safe aboard the Valeria again, handing
over Dolores, who by this time was
quite frightened and cowed into silence,
to my superior officer, as in duty bound,
and retiring bit aft until their
first greetings should be over. Then I
came forward and explained briefly how
it was that the plan of boarding Mother
Zachary in the Jews quarter had fallen
through, and exonerated myself for TAX
ing the dangerous step of bringing the
girl to the Valeria, which would in all
PhOohpillJ OC bCRtClcu VIC ulSL bnAHR
next morning by the local officials with
a warrant from the British consul.
Naturally the presence of the lady
could not be concealed from the other
officers and the ships company, of
whom were already agog to know who
was this mysterious female who had
suddenly appeared on the quarter deck.
Martin called the men together, gave
them much such an explanation of the
affair as had made in the boat, keeping
his own and my special part cleverly
out of sight, and leaving each of his
auditors with a pleasing impression that
1t was in consequence of his own re-
markable honor and gallantry that the
poor, distressed Spanish girl had flown
for protection to the men of the Valeria.
$ Martin then conducted Dona Do
lores to his own cabin, where she was
entreated to make herself as much at
home as possible, for though an un-
toward accident had marred the compile
tion 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 was almost dead beat, it
was long time before he would let me
get to sleep for discussing a hundred
different ways of concealing the young
lady during the search which we knew
was inevitable next day, and for appeas-
ing the wrath of the captain, rigid
disciplinarian and martinez, which was
only one degree less terrible. fell
asleep in the middle of the discussion,
and Martin, 1 believe, went up on deck
to star gaze, or else stationed himself on
guard outside his own cabin door, within
which he had cautioned the girl to re-
main until something was decided for
her safety.
"I was reused out of what seemed
only like half an hours sleep by the
knock and entrance of Mat, one of the
mess waiters-a clever, handy chap,
whom had several times thought of
taking into our confidence when our
rescue scheme was at first undeveloped.
Having coughed and hemmed once or
twice, and fidgetted about with my
things, which lay in heap on the floor,
as 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 taking about the
young lady. With your permission me
and some of the other chaps have plan
which1l beat the Papishes hollow. Just
you give us leave, sir, and the things's
done, and the young lady as safe as
bird, sir
80 But what's your plan = said I, for
Iwas beginning to feel I'd done enough
in the concern, and would willingly
shove off the rest of the responsibility
upon Martin or Mat or any one who
liked to take it.
So Music, sir said Mat, coming conf
IDENTIFY nearer, and chuckling so that 1
could hardly make out what he said.
Wen receive the gentlemen or deputa-
ton or what not with all the ropes
manned and the colors flying, and the
band playing on deck just as If 1t was
the Admiral or the Dock himself
% Well, and what then y 1 asked
rather Grossly; for I couldn't quite see
the point of his wonderful reception,
nor how 1t was to release US of anxiety
on the score of Dolores and our own
safety. a