Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-30
The Other Engglishnan
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paused GreaCneQ aSaln, "Ilie the liiio- erable man whose life was in the balance glanced up with renewed hope. Il will lower my terms" he went on. Il would rather get the money honestly myself, am free to confess that. If you will out with two thousand pesetas l will keep my mouth shut and give you helping hand besides"
 "If not?'' I said.
 "If not" he answered. shrtgging his shoulders-and noticed that he laid his hand on his knife-''if you do not ac- cept my terms before we are in port at Carthagena l go to the first policeman and tell him who is aboard. Those are my terms, and you have until then to think about thenl."
 With that he left the cabin, warily, and with his face to us to the last. Hateful and treacherous as he was-I loathed him so that I could scarcely meet his eyes-I could not help admiring his perfect coolness and courage, and his quick grasp of tho men he had to do with.
 For felt when he was gone that we were sorry pair. l suppose that my companion, bad as his case had seemed before. had yet cherished strong hopes of escape Now he was utterly unnamed. He sat on the couch, his elbows on his knees, his head resting on his hands, the picture of despair. The pistol had dis appeared into some pocket. and although capture meant death, judged that he would let himself be taken without striking blow.
 My own reflections were far from being of comfortable nature. The man groveling there before me might deserve death; knowing the stakes, he he had garnbled and lost. Moreover, he was complete stranger to me. But he was an Englishnan. He had trusted me. He had spent-well, an hour, but it seemed many-in my company, and l shrank from the horror of seeing him dragged away to violent death. My nature sorevolted against it that for got what the consequences to myself of interference might be.
 Look here," said, after long inter- val of silence, II will do what can to help you. We shall not reach Cartha- gena until o'clock at earliest. Some thing may turn up before that time. At the worst have a scheme, though I set little store by it, and advise you to do the same. Put on these clothes in place of those you wear" handed to him a suit taken from my portmanteau. Wash and shave Take my passport and papers. It is just possible that if you play your part we'll they may not identify you, and may arrest me, despite our friend up- stairs. For myself, once on shore shall have no difficulty in proving my inno- cence."
 Not that was without my misgivings. The Spanish civil guards have the name of giving but short shrift at times, and even at tho best might be punished for connivance at an escape. But to some extent trusted to my nationality and for the rest, the avidity with which the hunted wretch at my side clutched at the slender hope my offer held out to him, drove any last hesitation from my naind.
 AS long as live shall remember the scene which ensued. The gray light was beginning to steal through the port hole, giving a sicklier hue to my con- panion's features, and making my own trembling fingers. as I helped him to dress, seem to myself strangely wan and thin. A heavy odor from the expiring lamp hung upon the air. The tumbled bed clothes. the ran- sacked luggage, the coats swaying against the bulkneads to the music of the creaking timbers. formed and en- tourage deeply imprinted on the mem ory.
 About o'clock I procured some cof- fee and biscuits and little fruit, and fed him. Then gave him my passport and papers, and charged him to employ himself naturally about the cabin. My own plan was to be out of the way, ashore or elsewhere, when Sleigh should spring his niDa. and to trust my com. panion to return my luggage and papers to my hotel at Malaga, until ] reached which place must take my chance. 1 may seem to have been play. ing a fine and magnanimous part, bu, looking back now. do not think that believed for moment that the police would be deceived
 A little after 8 o'clock I went on deck to find that the ship was steaming slow ly in between the fortified hills tha, frown upon the harbor of Carthagena a harbor so grand and spacious that il its amphitheatre of waters l fancy al the navies of the world might lie. Fol a time the engineer was not visible or deck. The steward had pointed out t< me some of the lions-the deeply em bayed arsenal, the distant fort higl perched on hill. which tho mutt neers had seized, and the gover nor's house over the gateway wher the wounded general had died-and VI
 were within couple of yards of tn
 wharf, crowded with idlers and flecket
 with sentinels, when Sleigh came u
 from below.
 Although the morning was fine an
 warm, he was wearing the heavy pc jacket which I had seen in the engin ? room. Ho cast a spiteful glance at me
 and then. turning away, affected to bus
 himself with other matters. I thin
 that he was ashamed of the work he ha
 in hand. Bad as he was, I think SO.
 "Do wo stay here all day?" I asked tl, l cfou,ard