The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-02

worn out by the watches which this
state of things rendered necessary, and
thus to fall an easy prey to the others
this was the wretched prospect that
appeared to the Captain as he sat in his
cabin.
He was not given to useless repining.
If he had been, he would have con-
demned himself severely for his precip-
itancy.
His reflections were interrupted by a
rap at the door. He said: 'Come in, y
and Jose Gardez entered.
Captain Willis was of course in bad
humor at this moment, and the sight OF
this man added to the flame.
What the deuce brought you here?"
he shouted. Haven't you learned
that you've no business in my cabin
till you're asked?"
Il was asked, SIR" the man replied
"Who asked your"
"Mr. Hardy, sir. 1 went up to him
few minutes ago, and told him what
l am going to tell you now; and he
said he couldn't leave the deck, but
told me to come right to YOU"
The manner and tone of the man
were perfectly quiet, as well as respect.
full. The Captains heat was over. He
eyed his visitor curiously.
Il thought you couldn't speak En-
glish?'
Il could not, yesterday, because
was in Havana. Now we're at sea, the
language has come back to me-"
A faint intimation of more strange
happenings in store agitated the Cap
tain's mind. He passed his hands
through his hair, shook his head vigor.
ously, as if to clesr it, and then looked
the man straight in the eye.
you've something to tell me-" he
said. Say it-quick!'
Captain Willis, want to tell you,
in the first place, that you can depend
on me to stand by you against the LOT
of rutfians you have shipped. I'm in
earnest about this; l mean it. Yet ]
must tell you that not one of them,
nor all of them, deceived you as
have"
The Captain answered not word.
A suspicion of the strange truth broke
upon his mind and held him dumb.
Il shipped on your vessel by the
name Of Jose Gardez; that is not my
name. it is Henry Crawford. said ]
was born in Cuba, of Spanish parents,
l am in fact an American, a native OF
New England. said 1 could not
speak English; it is my native tongue
thouxrl few Americans can speak
Spanish better. I pretended to be an
able seaman; all l know of seamanshir
is what l picked up by observing sail.
ors on several voyages as passenger.
l was never aboard the ''Cid Campea.
dor" in my life. Twas never at Cadiz.
In fact" and the speakers voice plainly
showed his appreciation of the drollery
of the idea, ''if / had been the Spaniard
that l claimed to be, could not have
told you more lies than ] did yester.
day"
"But what for? What object had
you in all this masquerading?"
1.-The truth is. Captain Willis,
wanted to leave Havana immediately:
in fact, there was the most pressing
necessity for it. I knew you-or al
least. l knew who you were;1 had seen
you and heard you talk, and l greatly
desired to leave in your vessel. You
never would have taken me had
frankly told you who l was; or rather,
| never could have been so selfish as to
put the burden of that knowledge on
you. Hence the need of my masquer.
aiding, as you call it,"
''Do you tell me that you have seen
ME before, and heard me talk? Where,
pray?"
"Yesterday-at the Paseo.''
Captain Willis rose excitedly from
his chair. The man before him removed
the grizzled hair from his head, took
the patch from his eye, produced a
handkerchief from his pocket which