Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-03-07
CHAPTER XXXIII.
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/ 1t was, indeed, the Tampa Clumsily and
slowly that huge, slack, unwieldy craft
forged ahead, cleaving her way through the
/ CLASSY waters, and, when darkness fell,
came to anchor about quarter of a mile
from land.
There was no moon but the stars gave a
feeble glimmer enough to enable one
family to distinguish objects at moderate
distance
By and by lights were seen flashing over
the water and the dip Of hasty oars grew
louder. Then came the sound as of boats
keel grating over the pebbles, and soon, in
the darkness, black mass, moving as one
man, came tramping solidly up the slope
with measured step toward the tower, which
doomed up high and clear against the starlit
dome of heaven.
Fairfax began counting the men as they
approached nearer.
Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-five, ttCeRty-
three, TwESTY-FoUR, TWENTY-FTVEl
"Great heavensl And all powerful fell
lows, armed to the teeth, too. Boys, this is
a fight for life, and the 'Namovna's' crew
thirty miles away Will you risk it."
"What l begin that / fnish!" quoth
Nebbitt, grimly
AS no other man said anything they all
lay quiet, watching the turn of events.
Up it marched, that solid phalanx of des-
perate men; shoulder to shoulder, four
ranks deep; six men in a line; their case
knives and guns and pistols cleaning and
glittering in the starlight; silent and grim
and led on by man of gigantic stature,
who strobe imperiously before them
That's Matteoin whispered Fairfax, as
he glanced mournfully at his own broken
arm and then at the tremendous frame Of
the man.
I At word from their leader, the men,
with one accord, paused and stood motion
less, like statues in the night. Stepping
out before them, he remained silent mo-
meflt. Every voice was hushed, save that
of the breeze murmuring through the tow
er and the wave tapping the strand
Then he began. Nebbitt, Oxford and Fair
fax, with their excellent knowledge of
Italian, were easily enabled to follow him.
mates, We know how l would have won
the Greek woman; but the poor, silly fool
escaped me. We know how we slew our
stubborn captain and his shadow, Luigi, and
that swart Nubian fiend, too whose knife
bit so viciously into my scarce healed side.
Ye know how we have all risked our lives
I like brave men. But, like brave men, now
have we come to our reward The Vampa
is ours and so are the broad seas and all
that sails them. For, with the riches Of that
Greek dog, we can make our ship fortress
impregnable.
'sWih you follow me and live the life I
speak ofln
I'VE willp came back the deep-toned
I answer.
''Then will read the writing"
! Amidst the most GREATNESS silence,
I broken only by the roll of the swell on the
shore and the distant sound of steam es-
Gaping from the Vampa's safety-valve,
Matteo, translating the English INFO Italian,
4 read in harsh, hard voice that penetrated
I far and near into the quiet night air
''Tea miles 10 he southwest OF rslgiers stands
I the ruined toner, FL BGbd Twenty steps due
/ nortkward from Us eastern doorway IS sfone,
1 turf.cogered. This stone eacteses The month Of
I M old rel, long since dried. Dorm this nell,
( after my fathers death, All and I cast all his
I psaltl-jescels Of untold Vai,e, brdSs-bOund
/ casks aud bozes bursting nth gold and silver
coin, diamonds OF Dldchless spleRdor, pearls far
/ o,atshining those Of I'ld, thousand flashing
I precious stones and wHmeited itgots--Tichcs
enough for ne nldddest dreams of agaricc y
! A wild cheer broke forth at the conclusion
\ OF his words. But it was hushed into i'm
mediate silence by the sharply-uttered COM
mand and threatening gesture Of the
\ Italian.
ssNow, mates, scanned the shore with
keenest eye for signs of life when we ap-
preached, but saw none, save that stranger
/ craft which we left behind us, steaming far
out to sea. But like not her looks, nor do
know what hidden dangers Turk before US.
Therefore, rest on your arms and~be ready
at moments warning TO follow me to the
DEATH
"Ayl that will we!'' answered they all
with one accord, as they clashed their
I weapons together.
Then, suddenly, the leader drew himself
toshis full height, and. looming gigantically
upIn the darkness, put his hand upon one OF
the pistols in his belt, and in slow, measured
tones that implied but one answer TO his
question, asked:
''Shall Matteo's share be one-third for
| all his pains and risk as leaderG''
An unbroken silence prevailed, which be
tokened the anwiningness Of the band Y
assent to any such unequal division.
Once again, sharp and clear, piercing ths
calm air hike the hard, cold ring Of steel
rang out the resistless question, while thu
sudden fash Of pistol barrel, drawn from
his bert, shot through she gloom. C0wed {.
obedience BY the Tremendous power wnicl