The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-08-29

uibPAny Oe1SEe lueul, NNluS, Ou HulpUOaFu
rs on shore. by himself. but always ready
and terrible when the moment came for
action; treating his crew, too. with the
most rigid impal tiality, adhering strictly to
his promises and compacts with them, and
never overlooking IN offence.
So Captain Brand left his dwelling in
charge of his dumb housekeeper, Babette,
and tripping down the rope ladder from the
piazza, in a clean suit of brown linen and
straw slippers. his beardless face shaded
by his broad. trimmed hat from the sun,
and the bag of gold on his arm, he jauntily
walkedtoward the cove.
"Ah! good morning, my doctor! Glad
to meet you! How are the sick? Doing
we'll, hope!"
Quite we'll. sir; but was about to call
upon you in relation to the conversation We
had last evening, and"
Pardon me, monsieur le Docteur, but I
have been very busy this morning, and am
now going to see Don Ignucio on matters
of importance the elegant pirate
took the cigal from his thin lips and held it
dnintily between his thumb and forefinger
in the air-"and really, monsieur, am
very sorry to miss your visit, But, no
added with one of his usual smiles. II
shall be at leisure this afternoon, and in
the cool of the evening We can take stroll.
What say you?
The doctor nodded.
little game of monte afterwards at your
quarters? never permit gaming in mine.
you know. The padre will not object; and
nm confident that our compadre, the
Tuerto. will be delighted"
AS you please. captain" replied the
medico, with u cold, Indifferent air and
averted face. Il will join you In the prom
enade, and shall be ready to receive you
in the evening"
] "Hasta huego, amigo!" said Captain
Brand, as he again stuck his cigar between
his teeth, waved his hand in adieu, and
walked to his boat.
/ you don't love me, doctor, thought the
pirate; Il don't fear you, captain. thought
the doctor.
/ 1t was touch of high art the why this
notorious pirate pitched the bag Of gold to-
ward his coxwain, crying: Catch that,
ner in which he battered about the beach
and held up his trousers, 30 that he might
not even get his slippers damp. Had that
saltwater been red blood he would not
have cared if his feet had been soaked in
it. And then, too tho little exclamation
Of Joy when he finally stepped into the
stern sheets and sat down beneath the
awning. while he stretched his smooth
brown linen legs out on the cushions Oh,
it was certainly touch of high piraticai
art!
"The old schooner is looking little
rusty after her late cruise. Pedlllo!" throw
ing his head back to evade curl of smoke,
and casting his cold eyes like rattle of lev
hail at tho coxwain. But am glad Pedro
took your place"-puff, puff-"that knife
stub prevented yon, of course"-puf-~an
we shall have her all tight and trig again in
day or two"
! Isl, Senor!" said Pedillo, respectfully.
"And how goes Senior Gibbs, Capitano?"'
The captain rolled his eyes again at the
coxwain, and replied, carclessly, "Why,
Pedillo, our friend Gibbs came to see me
when the schooner anchored, but almost
before" had given me an ac-
count Of his unfortunate cruise he fell
down in a fit, The fact is. however"-puff,
puff-"that, what with hard drinking and
Inflammation which set In on the stump of
his lost leg, he has been in very bad way"
-puA-"quite in dangerous condition in
deed, requiring all my old Babette's care
and attention"-puff-"bu this morning
the good padre went to see him, aud he
told me while ago that he left him with
out fever and altogether tranquil"
Pedillo's wiry moustaches twirled Of
themselves.
Meanwhile the boat skinned lightly over
the basin, and as the captain ceased speak
ing she ran alongside Of tho felucca Don
lgnacio with his bright single eye in full
burning power, md a cigarrite between his
wrinkled lips, was on the dock of the yes
sci to receive his visitor; aud as he saw the
coxswain follow his superior with IL weiehty
bag under his arm, the glimmerine orb
became brighter, if possible-ns if it was
piercing through the thick canvass of the
bag, and counting, ounce by ounce, the
contents-and putting out his forefincer it
was grasped cordially by the white hand of
Captain Brand.
Como Sc va? How goes it with my
compadre? Stomach and head all clear
after our long dinner of yesterday"
Tue cempadre said that his head was
his stomach be had no. yet inquired; but
il tie capitano had any doubts as to the
former proposition, he had better stem be-
low and decide for himself. In accordance
with this ambiguous invitation, the visitor
and commander disappeared down small
cuddy in the after part of the felucca, where
was n low sitting hole of cabin, dank with
stale tobacco smoke, and smelling awfully
Of rats and reaches. There was q little
round table in the middle, and on one side
was u single berth with some dirty bedding,
which had not been cleaned, apparently,
since the vessel was built. Light was shed
from II skylight above.
Captain Brand gave sniff of disgust as
he entered this floating sanctum Of Don
lgnacio; but without remark seated him.
gal nm n cfn
fumed cambria kerchief before his nose.
Commander Sanchez, catching the in
SEPARATION, merely observed that it was lit
tie close certainly. and not SO spacious as
the superb cabin Of the schooner, and that
sometimes, when lying in calm of the
lee side Of Cuba. it was hot enough to melt
tho tail OIL q brass monkey; hut yet it was
his duty, and be did not particularly mind
It. Hereupon Captain Brand requested
Don Ignacio to produce his papers, and
they were presently laid upon the table.
For few minutes the pirate WIS absorbed
in running his cold eyes over the accounts
making pencil notes on the margins, and
comparing them with o memorandum he
took from his pocket; but at last he threw
himself back and exclaimed
"Camarado. the account of old Moreno,
OF the Havana, 10 correct to o real-three
hundred and twelve doubloons and eight
bard dollars. Yours, however, has some
few naccuracies-.double commissions
charged here and there; oil losses on sales
charged to me, and all profits credited To
you."
Don Ignacio spread ont the palms of both
his hands towards his companion as il to
exercise such unjust charges from his
brain.
20 81. 81. compadre2 it is a. state, and
you know it is true; but, nevertheless, . few
dozens Of ounces more or less makes no
difference, and, to make short work, am
ready to pay. But" said Captain Brand,
laying . hand On thSNyy bag Of money