Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-31

1 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. Ii 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: 'Comc in,' and Jose Gardez entered. Captain Willis wsS of course in bad humor at this I1oment, 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?''
 ''l was asked, sir," the man replied.
 "Who asked you?"
 ''Mr. Hardy, sir. I went up to him few minutes ago, and told him what 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 we'll as respect ful. The Captains heat was over. He eyed his visitor curiously.
 '1 thought you couldn't speak En- glish?"
 'l 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 clear 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 ruffians you have shipped I'm in earnest about this; mean it. Yet I must tell you that not one of them, nor all of them, deceived you as l have"
 The Captain answered not a 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. I said I was born in Cuba, of Spanish parents, l am in fact an American, native, of New England. said I could not speak English; it is my native tongue. though few Americans can speak Spanish better. prctended to be an able seaman; all l know of seamanship is what picked up by observing sail ors on several voyages as passenger was never aboard the "Cid Campca- dor'' in my life. was never at Cadiz. In fact, ," and the speakers voice plainly showed his appreciation of the drollery of the idea, Eff I had been the Spaniard that l claimed to be, could not have told you more lies than f did yester- day."
 'But what for? What object had you in all this masquerading?'
 The truth is. Captain Willis, l wanted to leave Havana immediately; in fact, there was the most pressing necessity for it. I knew you-or at least, knew who you were; I had seen you and heard you talk, and greatly desired to leave in yoar vessel. You never would have taken me had I frankly told you who I 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- ading, as you call it."
 Do you tell me that you have seen mo before, and heard me talkp 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 from his pocket which