, 1881-02-11

I y
navy was passed on her deck, and
would rather lose my life than see her go
down
Enrique Delmonte spoke with great
enrncstnass, and the American felt that
he hal some deep cause for wishing TO
save the vessel. He knew that his father
was Spaniard and his mother Cuban,
and that he had been reared in the navy
of Spain, which he mad left TO serve his
native land.
Shaping their course so as TO head the
drifting vessel OIL, lantern was shown
to tell OF coming succor, and the cheer
that broke from the crew at sight OF it
vas heard on board the yacht.
'Delmonte, again | must remind You
Of the risk you run" said the Captain.
II know all, and | will take nv
chances; as soon as / board the Alaman
da you had better stand seaward, so as
not to be in this neighborhood by day.
light"
"And you, Delmonte?'
"Oh | will run the vessel into the
harbor we left, and then go ashore and
hasten on after Ryan, for can overtake
him, and when you again come to the is
land / will join you, unless l can do
more good ashore; but here we are, and
/ will hail
In ringing voice, and in Spanish,
Enrique Delmonte hailed the large ves-
sci, which was now plainly seen to be a
large steamer and war vessel, whose
light sails would not work her of shore.
"Ho, the Alamanda p
"Ay, ay, are you a pilot?' came the
answer from the vessel OF war.
"Yes; will run under your lee and
come on board"
"All right, for our machinery has bro
ken down, we have lost our anchors and
are drifting rapidly" said an officer, in
earnest tones.
81 know that voice; it is Capt. Verona
himself. Now goodbye, Captain, and if
harm befell Enrique Delmonte tell my
friends how died." and the young Gu
ban grasped the Americans hand, and
stood ready to seize the ropes ready TO be
thrown to him.
Though plunging fearfully, the Amer
lean held the yacht firmly in hand, and
ran close in under the stern of the
steamer, from which ropes were skill
fully thrown, and adroitly grasped by
the Cuban, who, with q goodbye on his
lips to his shipmates, clambered over the
sides Of the Spanish vessel, while the
yacht bounded away from the enemy
those on board had so much cause to
dread, and started on her return voyage
10 the United States.
Upon reaching the deck Enrique Del
monte found himself inithe presence of
score OF officers, while crowds OF sea.
men stood not far away, gazing upon the
daring pilot that had come out to their
aid but, with his collar muffling his
face, his hat drawn down over hlp eyes,
he was not recognized, though he looked
upon more than dozen men who had
long been his comrades in the navy of
Spain.
"Are you q Cuban pilot, sir?" asked
Captain Verona, a naughty, stern-faced
man OF As.
81 am Cuban. and have come to keep
you off yonder rocks, was the quiet reply,
while he pointed shoreward to the line OF
breakers.
"0ur rig is too light for us to work off
shore, and our machinery is broken
down and anchors gone, so, if You can
not save us, we are doomed" said the
Spaniard.
II know that we'll, Senior, and l will
take the helm, was the reply; and, 60
ing to his post Of duty, he assumed con-
troll, and, no longer struggling to beat
out to sea, the steamer was put before
the gale, and went rushing landward
with fearful speed.
Calm and firm Enrique Delmonte
stood at the wheel, his eyes watching
every move Of the vessel and penetrat-
ing the loom ahead to catch sight OF
some well-known object by which lie
could get his course.
And on rushed the Spanish vessel into
the channel, and, though apparently
surrounded by breakers, holding her
course unswervingly, until she glided
around the Point OF land that formed the
harbor, and was in safety.
You can move alongside OF yonder
rocks, Senior, for there is depth enough"
said the Cuban, when the cheers of the
Spaniards at their rescue died away.
You are daring and skillful pilot,
Senior, end you have saved myself and
crew, so name your reward. said Capt.
| Verona.
The reward ask, Senior Captain, is
mercy for any poor Cubans that may
fail into your hands" was the brusque
reply.
Hal this rings like the words of q
traitor to SPAIN Are you such, sir?"
lam Cuban patriot, Senor." was the
calm reply.
"Ah, and seem proud of it. By Nep-
tune but we have been saved by foe;
your love of gold must be great indeed
for you to risk your life aboard this
ship
Il told you, Senior, the only reward I
ask. have saved you from wreck, so
will now say farewell"
| "Hold Ouartermaster hold that hat