Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-30

l Oeck; and now here's another of the same sort. Suppose he is seaman-l can't swear in Spanish. But I suppose we might as we'll have round dozen of 'em. Put him in the boat.'' Before this could be done the man had to be examined by the officer. He answered all the questions asked him in good Spanish, which the Captain caused Louis to interpret to him. He said his name was Jose Gardcz; that he was tifty-tive years old, and was born at Bahia Honda, of Spanish parents He WIS bred a sailor, and had always followed the sea. He had lately been on the merchant ship "Cid Campeador" between Cadiz and Havana; but he had been sick. and his ship had sailed a week before without him. He did not want to be idle, and this was the first chance he had got.
 This account was perfectly satisfac- tory to the officer; he nodded pcr,nis- sion; and in few moments the stout arms of Dick Purvis were propelling the party across the harbor.
 Captain Willis was no sooner on deck than he called for the mate.
 ''Call the crew aft, Mir. Hardy,' he said. 'Ive word to say to them"
 They came, most of them sauntering along with their hands in their pock cts, and looking altogether very unlike a good ships company. The four negroes stood in a group by them selves. Dick Purvis stood with his cap in his hand, in an attitude of respectful attention; the others were collected behind these. Captain Willis surveyed them a moment with an eye like a hawk, and then spoke clearly and dis tincuy:
 My men, I've sailed the seas for well nigh forty years, and I've com manded ships for thirty; but this is the first time l ever went out with a lot of green hands. Dick Purvis, avast there! stand aside; you know this talk ain t for you. Except MT. Hardy and Dick. l learn that there's only two seamen now in the ship. We've got a voyage of nearly two thousand miles to make, and valuable cargo aboard. You can't learn to be sailors on this trip but you can learn good deal. You'll be well treated by Mir. Hardy and my self-but there's one thing you must understand Aow, right at the start. You must obey orders-d'ye hear. I'm the Captain, and MT. Hardy is the mate of this ship. Louis, put that in Span- ish for the benefit of those that don't understand me-"
 The nephew did as requested.
 That's all. Go forward now. Mir. Hardy, up anchor at once.'
 The four negroes did not stir.
 The others had started, but seeing that something was about to happen, they paused.
 ''Go forward, sayr' repeated the Captain, sternly.
 One of the negroes took single step in advance of his comrades.
 ''We hab been deceibed," he said. speaking in a thick voice and in broken English. "Dis bad ship; dis unlucky ship; debbil in de ship. We four neb- Der go in um! Put us ashore, sah, quick"
 The others heard this startling dcclar- ation with various feelings, but every eye was upon the Captain. They saw his face darken, and his little eyes shine like coals. He stood motionless as post, his head slightly thrown back. a,d his right hand thrust into the breast of his tightly-buttoned coat. He spoke low, but there was danger ous rasp in his voice.
 Mr. Hardy, get pair of handcuffs. Shackle that man, and confine him be- low three days on bread and water"
 There was a low muttering among the negroes as the mate started to obey the order. The balance of the crew edged back little, as though they wanted to be out of the way of the impending trouble. Dick Purvis stood aside. somewhat nearer the Cap tain' holding capstan-bar behind him. To his surprise and delight, he found Jose Gardez by his sido with an-