The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-08-22

q Drssdsn ehiaA TAsa ts.niae 70 T.
padre. he sid
"You would, perhaps. Hike cordial, my
Yesp You viii and eame capital curscos n
that stand OF bottles there.
The padre. forgetful OF the disnity Of his
calling, shumed with indecent haste 70 the
spot indicated: and without going through
the form OF Alling one Of the diminutivs
thimble- shaped glasses In the stand, he
boldly raised the task to hislips. and sucked
away until Il WAS nearly empty. Then
seating himself on the ssttee, he lugesd on.
his book, and poFed overits contents. Cap.
tain Brand occupied himself with opening
theloop Of the silk rope which fell fromtha
ceiling, and securing the end firmly on thu
stout cleat at the wall.
So passed the time until noise beneath
the room Of . voice in anger and . body
bumped and dragged along, once more
loon.
ooh. hol Is that you. Master Gibbsf"
voice. "You have risen early; but stor
that profane language, INV friend, or yos
will never see daylight again.
The MANNED rufian only muttered
"Your friend, chr blindfolded and man.
acled!" Aud then. apparently sbashed BY
the cool, commanding tone Of his superior
he held his peace.
"Well, You are quiet, my lad. Now well
see II we can't hoist you up here In the %.
LOOM"
"Thank ye, sir" said Gibbs. aloud; ane
then he muttered to himself, ''Let mo iss
get one grip Of ye. and I'll show ye how
quiet I'll bel"
DO you think We shall need assistance
my son?" whispered the padre in the ear o,
his patron.
these little affairs, except in the case Of that
violent Yankee whaler, who gave us much
trouble, you know, and we were Obliged to
call Pedillo," replied the captain, in the
same low tone. Then, raising his voice he
said-
clark ye. Master Gibbs! Babette will
hit you OF the stones. and the padre and I
will rouse you up TO the room here. You
don't weigh so mich as you did since you
had your leg hacked Of with handsaw-
holland dare say you are a. light now as
dried cod-f Up with him, Bahia! There
-steady! all right-here You are"
Saying this, Captain Brand, with the as
sistance Of the stout negress and the padre,
raised the once burly rufaan, with a vigorous
the saloon, where they laid him out at full
length on his back.
"Waita moment, my hearty, till the hatch
ia raised, and then We will raise you. IN
pleasant position, no doubt" continued
Captain Brand, as the trap came up and
was secured by spring; 'but then you
know you would have that pin Of yours cut
on, and somehow you have been 30 careless
as to dispose Of the nice leg you had the
Other day, made out Of the spruce fo.e- top
mast Of the Centipede-a very tough bit Of
o spar it waa."
Here Master Gibbs grated his teeth and
grinned hideously.
The captain smiled like demon, and ap.
fully-aye. in frank and hearty tone
Now, my padre, place a comfortable
chair for Master Gibbs, and we will help
him 10 q scat"
The considerate Ricardo place large,
roomy Manila chair on the fatal trap, and
then aided his chief in lifting their victim
to the position assigned him. As they per.
formed this operation the captain, with the
gentleness Of tiger before he strikes his
prey, and with wink to the padre, lightly
passed the moose Of the silk rope over the
ruffian's hairy throat, where it lay like
snake with Its slack coil squirming at the
back Of the the chair.
Nov, Master Gibbs. ON about to re-
move this bandage from your beautiful
eyes, said Captain Brand, in his cold, chilli
much as move when daylight shines before
Won. III blow vnur hrainu ont ~
Here the pirate le:surely cooked pistol
close to his subordinate's ear, removed the
bandage, and laid the weapon ON the table
within reach.
mo noise either Master Gibbs" contin.
ed Captain Brand, as he stirred up the re-
lnalns OF his chocolate, and gulped it down;
for it Is Sunday morning, and we must re-
spect the feelings Of our padre. You we're
unkind to him, he tells me, just now, and
even said some disrespectful things Of me.
What have done to vex your"
The manacled wretch tried to raise his
horny hands to his face when the cloth was
removed from his eyes, and rub those Or
gans. while he glared suspiciously around;
but the captain pointed With his white fin.
ger In threatening way to the cooked pis.
toll. and Master Gibbs let his hands fall
again.
well, Captain Brand, I s'pose now
you're going to treat me US faithful man
| who has sarvsd under you ought to be
treated, ana I'm willin' to forgive what has
passed"
There was no look Of forgiveness, how
ever, in those brutal blood-shot eyes, nor
much signs of repentance in those grind
ing teeth and compressed lips.
"Why, no, my Gibbs, am not going to
treat you as faithful man, but will tell
you what will do"-here the captain NOV
ed his chair nearer till his straw slipper
touched the spring of the trap-'I will
drink q glass of grog with you in forgetful-
ness Of the past and forgiveness for the flu.
ture."
"Thank ye. Captain Brand; 1 do feel dry.
That stuff Babette gave me while ago
didn't touch the right spot, and I'll be Glad
to jine yon."
"Ah, bueno, my old friend! you shall
drink something That will touch the right
spot. What shall it be2 you have only TO
an take toss Of that old brandy YOU
gave me the other day, il it's the same to
you. sif!"
ooh, Master Gibbs, it's all the sam. to
me! Delighted am to oblige you! Padre
milo! glass Of old cogniac for our friend
tumblerful; q wine-glass will do for me-"
The padre poured out the brandy as he
was desired, handed the lesser glass to the
| captain, and the tumbler he placed in the
locked hands Of the victim. Slowly and
painfully the subdued rufaan raised the
glass to his mouth, careful not to spill
| drop; then before draining it he cleared his
throat, while at the same time the captain
rose to his feet, with his right foot resting
little on the heel, and held the wine-glass
before him.
Nov then, Master Gibbs, for toss that
will touch the right spot"
here's forgiveness for the future"
Scarcely had the words been uttered, and
the liquor began to gurgle down the hairy
throat Of the manacled wretch, than the
pirate before him pressed his foot with a
quick nervous action on the spring.
Like fash the trap fell, carrying chair
and man with it. The hinges of the hatch
creaked, the wicker-work chair fell with 3
bound on the stone floor below, the heavy