Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-06-27

appeared into some pocket, and although
capture meant death, judged that he
would let himself be taken without
striking blow.
/ MY own reflections werc far from
being Of comfortable nature. The
man grovclinS there before me might
deserve death; knowing the stakes, he
he had gaInbled and lost Moreover, he
was complete stranger to me. But he
was IN Englishman. lie had trusted me.
He had spent--wcil. an hour, but it
seemed many-in my company, and l
shrank from the horror of seeing him
dragged away to violent death. Nv
nature sorevoltcd 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 80, reach Cartha-
gena until O'Clock al 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.
1t is just possible that if you play your
part well 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-
ccncc."
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 l might he 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
tho slender hope my offer held out to
him. drove any last hesitation from nv
mind.
AS long as live shall remember the
scene which ensucd. The gray light was
beginning to steal through the port hole,
giving sicklier hue to my COM
panion's features. and making nv
'wn trembling fingers. as I helped
,lm to dress. seem to myself
strangely wan and thin. A heavy odor
rom the expiring lamp hung upon tho
air. The tumbled bed clothes. the ran.
sacked luggage. the coats swaying
against the bulkheads to the music Of
the creaking timbers. formed and en-
tourage deeply imprinted on the men,
| Dry.
About O'Clock l procured some cot.
feo and biscuits and q little fruit, and
fed him. Then l gave him my passport
and papers. and charged him to employ
himself naturally about the cabin. Ny
own plan was to be but Of the way.
ashore or elsewhere. when Sleigh should
spring his mine. and to trust my COM
panion to return my luggage and
pagers to my hotel at Malaga, until I
reached which place must take nv
chance. may seem to have been play
ing fine and magnanimous part, but
looking back now, do not think that
believed for . moment that the police
would be deceived.
A little after 8 o'clock went on deck.
to find that the ship was steaming slow
" in between the fortified hills that
frown upon the harbor Of Carthagena;
harbor SO grand and spacious that in
its amphitheatre Of waters fancy oil
the navies Of the world might lie. For
time tho engineer was not visible on
deck. The steward had pointed out to
me some Of the lions-the deeply en-
bayed arsenal, the distant fort high
perched on q hill. which the mutt
neers had seized, and the COVER
nors house over the gateway where
the wounded general had died-and wo
were within couple Of yards Of the
wharf. crowded with idlers and flecked
with sentinels. when Sleigh came up
from below.
Although the morning was fine and
warm. ho was wearing tho heavy pca
jacket which l had seen In the engine
room. He cast spiteful glance at me,
and then. turning away. affected to busy
himself with other matters. I think
that he was ashamed Of the work he had
In hand. Bad a he was, think 90.
do we stay hero all day7" / asked tho
steward.
mo, senior, no. Hasta las diez solo"
understood him to say. Only until 10
O'Clock, and It was close upon 0 already.
He explained that tho town was yet 80
much disturbed that business was ct q
standstill The San Miguel would mere
~ land her passengers by boat and 60
on at once to Almeria. where much
cargo awaited her. "Hero is the police
lsoat coming" he added.
| Then tho time had come, too. Twas
| quivering with exciiement-and with
something elsa new ideal Darling
from the stewards 3: =. flew down tn.
stairs. through the saloon and to m,
cabin. tho door Of Which dragged asid~
;npaticntly. "Give '"e my passport
my papers! cried. breathless with
haste. ''the police arc hcrer'
The man-he was pretending to pack
~ith his back to the door. but ut my en-
trance rose with IN assumption Of ease
drew hack. "Why3 will you desert me
tooy ne muttered. his face working pite-
ously. Twill you be:ray mes Then, my
-0odi l am lostl" and re flung himself
upon the sofa In pa. v-.ysm Of terror.
Every moment was Of priceless value.
This . conspirator. indeed had no
patiehce with him. ''0ive them to mel"
cried imperatively. desperately. II
have another plan. Do you heart"
He heard, but he did not believe mo.
he was sure that my courage had failed
me at the last moment But-and let
this be written on his side Of the &C
count-he gave me the papers; It may
b In pure generosity, Il may be because
be had not the spirit to resist.
Armed with them ran ON deck almost
- quickly a. I had descended l found
the position Of things but slightly
changed The police boat was nov
alongside. The officer In command,
attended BY two or three subord!-
mates. was coming up the ladder.
Close to the gangway Sleigh was stand
ing. evidently waiting for this group
But he had his eye ON the saloon door
also. fog had scarcely emerged from
the latter when he stepped up to me-
"Have you changed you mind, gov
ernor? Are you going to buy him OFF,
be muttered. looking askance at me as
still moved forward with him by my
sidc
Ny answer took him by surprise. mo,
seuor, no r. exclaimed loudly and re-
peatedly-so loudly that the attention Of
the group at the gangway was drawn to-
wards Va. When saw that this was
effected, I stepped hastily In front Of
Sleigh. and before he had any clear