The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-26
The Captains Money.
4 Tale OF Buried Treasure. Cuban Revolt
and Adventure Upon The Seas.
I'M -FOUR PARTS.
BY JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.


When at last the two Americans
whom we have seen at the Paseo were
able to disentangle themselves from the
crowd, they began to make their way
down to the quay. Their progress was
slow. Squads of soldiers patrolled
every street, and they were often
halted and commanded to give an &C.
count of themselves. On these occa-
sions Louis Hunter would stand care
lessly by with his hands in his pockets,
while the sailor, who had been pre-
pared by the latter events of the day
to act and talk temperately, would
pull some folded papers from his breast
pocket, and declared:
1--WE are both Americans, but per-
fectly peaceable. We belong to the
bark Nellie Willis in the harbor.
l am her Captain, Aaron Willis; this is
my nephew, Louis Hunter, who sails
with me. Here are my manifest and
clearance; we're most ready to sail--only
waiting to ship more hands. We've
been to the Paseo to see the execution.
This full explanation, with a glance
at the papers, and sometimes ques-
ton or two, sufficed to pass the two
along; and when the Captains Span
ish was not understood, Louis was
called upon to explain. AS they
neared the water the crowd became
thinner, and they were able to walk more
rapidly, and converse as they walked.
"By all odds, the most daring thing
ever saw in my life," the Captain de-
clared.
"a man couldn't try it once out of
ten thousand times, and escape a bull
let" said the other.
'Just so; and that's what makes the
thing so wonderful. Don't you think
sop
II think it was fool-luck," said
Louis.
The Captain eyed him savagely
Anger and disgust by turns ruled his
face.
Il tell you what, Louis" he said, as
he smote his open palm with his fist,
"the time is coming pretty fast when
the cabin of the "Nellie Willis won't
be big enough to hold you and me-
You've angered me more this after
noon than l want to be angered in a
whole month. Are you all selfishness,
from head to heels? Did you ever say
a generous thing, or admire another
MANS words or acts, in your life
say!'
80 bother, uncle-you tire me with
your sentiment"
Every well, sir-I won't tire you
much longer. Your knowledge of
Spanish has been of service to me, in
getting my cargo and doing my bust
ness here; but l can't put up with your
ways and manners. l sha'n't ask you
to make another trip with me-"
"Tm delighted to hear you say so, p"
Louis replied, in his most offensive
tone.
After this explosion, the two walked
on in silence. At the quay disagree
able surprise awaited them. A strong
guard of soldiers was posted wherever
boat could approach or leave it. and
all communication with the vessels an
chored out in the harbor was absolute
ly cut Off Several boats had ap-
preached as near the landings as they
were permitted; among them Captain
Willis recognized one from his own
vessel.
'How long is this to last. I'd like to
know?' the indignant Captain inquired
of the officer of the guard, and received
in reply the laconic answer which all
Spaniards in authority delight to make
to questioners, and which signifies in
English: "WhO knOws?"
II guess it will last all night, easy
enough" Louis remarked. Captain
Willis silently assented: and the two
turned back to the city to secure q
lodging.