Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-06-20

hungry as hunter. 3aiiying out before
was dressed. satisfied myself that the
opposite cabin was empty and bare, and
came back laughing at my folly.
But when I found that something else
was empty and bare, thought it no
laughing matter. WANTED biscuit to
stay my appetite, until the steward
should bring my ''cafe complet," and
turned to the little shelf over my berth
where l had placed them on going to
bed. There were none there now. Curl
Gus! l had not eaten them. Then it
flashed upon my mind that it was with
this shelf my visitor had meddled.
After that did not lose moment.
examined my luggage and the pockets
CT my clothes; the result relieved as
much as it astonished me; nothing was
missing. My armed apparition had car
ried off two captains biscuits, and moth
ing else whatever!
Ipassed the morning on deck puzzling
over it. Sleigh did not come near me;
was he conscious Of guilt, 1 wondered,
or offended at the abruptness Of my
leave taking the night before, or was it
merely that he was engaged about his
work? l could not tell.
About noon we came to our moorings
at Alicante. The sky was unclouded.
The shabby town and the barren hills
that rose behind it-barren to the eye,
since the vines were not in leaf-looked
baking hot had found a tolerably
cool corner of the ship, and was amusing
myself with q copy of don Quixote"
and a dictionary, when the engineer
made his appearance.
"Not going ashoreg" he said.
For the twentieth time l wondered
what it was in his manner or voice that
made everything he said to mo seem a
gibe. Whatever it was, hated him for
it, and l gave my feelings vent by an
swering sullenly, mo, am not" and
forthwith turning to my books again.
II thought you travellers for pleasure
wanted to see everything" he continued.
''Maybe you know Alicante?"
"No, DON'T" answered snappishly.
"And In this heat do not want to know
til"
IAN right, governor, all right" he re-
piled. "Think 1t might be too hot for
you, perhaps? Ho! no! hot" And with
a hoarse laugh that lasted him from
stem to stern, and brought the blood to
my cheeks, he left ME. But could see
that he did not lose sight Of me. and
heard him chucklins at intervals at his
own vi Tor FULLY half an hour G3ess&
wards. Though where the joke came
in. I could not for the life Of me deter
mine.
Towards evening I did go ashore, slip
ping away at time when he had gone
below for moment. found public
walk in an avenue Of palm trees which
ran close by the sea. Tho palms were
laden with clusters Of yellow dates, that
at first sight were more like dried sea
weed than fruit. As darkness fell, and
with it GOODNESS, I sat down here, and
fell to watching the vessels in the port
fade away one by one into the gloom.
and little sparks Of light take their
places. A number Of people were still
out. enjoying the air, but these were
sauntering, one and all, in tho indolent
southern fashion, so that on hearing the
brisk step Of man approaching in haste,
l looked up sharply. To my surprise, it
was Sleigh, the engineeri
He passed close to me. could not be
mistaken, though he had put of his half
slouching, half impudent air. and was
keenly on the alert, glancing from this
side to that, as il he were following or
searching for some one. For whom?
was one Of half q dozen ON . seat in deep
shadow. II I were the person he wanted
and had leapt, at sight Of him. to that
conclusion and covered down In my
place-he overlooked me and went on
I sat some time longer after his step
died away In the distance, my thoughts
not altogether pleasant ones. But he
did not return. and went up to the
Hotel Bossio prepared to eat an excellent
dinner.
Tho table d'hote in tho big white
washed room was half dnished was
late. Perhaps this was why the walters
eyed me, % took my seat, with atten-
ton; or It might be that the English
were not numerous at Alicante, or not
popular; or, again, II might be that some
one-Mr. Sleigh, for example, been
there making inquiries for foreigner
blonde, middle sized, and speaking very
little Spanish. Their notice made me
uncomfortable. It seemed - II could
nowhere escape from my old man Of the
sea.
Nowhere indeed, for I was 10 have
another rencontre that night, with which
he may or may not have had to do, but
which must be told because Of the
light afterwards thrown upon it.
Returning to my ship along the dark
wharf, ! here and there came upon fig
ures loafing in the shadow Of bales or
barrels. and. passing them, clutched my
loaded stick more tightly. I got by all
these, however, in safety, and reached
elespot where the ship lay. ''San Miguel!
Bota" ! shouted, in the approved fashion
Of that coast. ''San Miguel Botar'
The words had scarcely left my lips
tho second time when there was o rus
Ting close to me. a single footstep
sounded on the pebbles. and the light Of
lantern was flashed in my face With
an exclamation recoiled. As did so
two or three men sprang forward. Daz-
xled and taken by surprise. had only
an indistinct view of figures about me,
and was on the point Of fighting or
running, or making an attempt at both,
when by good luck the clink Of steel
accoutermsnts fell upon my ear.
By good lucki For they were police
who had stopped me, and It Is i'll work
resisting the police In Spain. "What do
you require, gentleman I asked in my
best Spanish. II am English."
"Perdons listed, senor," replied the
leader, he who held the Light. "Win
you have the goodness to show me your
papers"
"Con mucho gustor' I answered. de-
lighted to find that things were no worse.
Twas going to produce my passport on
the spot, when the sergeant with q po-
lite but imperative "This wayi" directed
me to follow him. Ibid 20 for o short
distance; door was flung open. and !
found myself In o we'll lighted, barely
furnished Office, which guessed was o
custom house post. Tho officer took his
place behind desk, and BY q gesture of
his cooked hat signified his readiness to
proceed.