The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-07-11

ASSN
SNATCH
steadied it OF the window sash, and pcered
again long and anxiously to windward. He
saw nothing, however. save the long, CLASSY,
unbroken undulations or calm tropical
sea, rolling away of beyond the ledge under
burning sun; no sign of hreeze-not
even cat's-paw; and only now and then the
leap Of deep-sea fish sparkling for a mo-
ment in the air, and some sluggish gulls
and pelicans sailing and diving about the
| reef for their prey. Shutting up the glass
with crash that made the joints ring, he
strobe to the settee. were hung several
knotted bell-ropes, and seizing one, gave it
sharp jerk. Then putting his ear to an
aperture in the wall, where there was hallow
cane tube like tho mouth Of speaking
trumpet, he listened attentively till honrse
whisper uttered the word "Senor." Put
ting his mouth to tho tube, he said
| Can you make out the Centipede from
the crag station?"
Not sure, sir, this morning; but last
evening, ut sunset, l saw sail which I
took to ba her. The sea-breeze is Just be-
ginning to make, but if she's to wind ward of
Punta Arenas, she'll soon heave in sight, -
| This colloquy was held in Spanish; and
when the signal man had ceased speaking,
the interlocutor lit another cigar mechani-
cally, kicked foot stool out of his way
like n football, and thus communed With
himself rs he rapidly paced between tho
table and the veranda-
Twelve weeks ago yesterday since the
schooner was off Matanzas; not word of
news to cheer me- through all that burning
fever; the spring trade done, and the track
deserted by this time"
Then pausing in his walk, he stopped at
the chart stand, aud unrolling map, he
went on
Where could she possibly have gone to?
She night have been to Cape Horn and
back before this. Miserable fool that was
to trust the craft With that thirsty, thick
he headed ,d, Gi 1 He may have been captur-
stretched like shred Of jerked beef"
Even while he was talkinga bell struck
near the scttee, and putting his ear agan
to the tube, the hoarse voice said; Il can
make her out now, Senior! She's just
caught the strong. young breeze, and is hull
up. coming along with tho bonnet off her
foresail and u reef in her mainsail. There's
felucca to windwnrl of her, which take
to be the Panchita.
All! hal" laughed the individual in the
room. The Centipede is safe then? and
am to have the pleasure, too. of visit from
the Tuerto, tho mercenary old owl, with his
account of sales and his greed. But let
mo once catch him foul, and, my one eyed
friend, I'll treat YOU to such dance that
you won't need shoes!"
Here he glanced with meaning look at
the silk rope swaying from the beam above
his head. and the laugh of satisfaction
which followed was not one timid man
would care to hear in n dark night; nor did
it come from his heart, as any one might
have discovered from the ferocious CLEAN
of inward passion which shot out in the
cold sparkle of his eyes and fitted away
over his grating teeth.
Controlling his feelings, however, and
stepping out on the verania, he drew aside
the curtains, and sung out to the men in
the huts, "One Of you fellows! tell the
boatswain want him."
The men started up, and moment after
q man in a blue Jacket stood out from ono
of the sheds, and threw up his hand to his
straw hat.
Get together the people! Let run the
cable at the Alligators mouth, and have
three OR four wraps ready for the
schooner when she passes the point. The
Panchita is coming too; SO look out and
have enough lines to tow both vessels, in
case tho breeze fails. Tell Mr.. Gibbs to
moor close under the other shore, in the
old berth, and to come to me when he's
anchored. Dye hear?"
All this was said in sharp tone Of COM
mand; and by the alacrity with which the
orders were executed. the men seem to be
accustomed to master who knew how to
rule them.