The Press., 1891-10-22
CHAPTER v.


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 Before the aoort7s left hts Hps Fronccsce
 had leopcd tctth the gtrt bn hts Gs1Ts.
 A soldier stationed at the water gate was able to tell that he had seen Don Francesca with a man and a boy pass through the gate about half past eight. They had taken a canoe at the landing and padded down the bay, Beyond this he knew nothing. for if the Senor Don Francesca, the son of his excellency, chose to go out on the bay at night 1t was not his place to stop him. In his barge Don Alphonso visited one of the long galleys lying at anchor, and before many minutes there were lights flashing, from her which called the captains of the other two on board. No one had seen anything, for the passage of an In- dian canoe would not be noticed. Until. daylight nothing could be done, but each man in turn gave orders, and the slaves were to be awakened at half past three. Anchors were hove short and everything was ready.
 In the meantime Bon Francesca had hurried to the little corner in which Nechtla had slept, walked her up and told her they must fly. The girl neither trem- bled nor made moan; her Indian blood enabled her to meet the crisis as coolly as though she had been expecting it for weeks. Dressed as she was in boys clothes there was but little to do, and Don Francesca lowered her down from the window into the little alley at the back of the palace. Then hurrying down himself he joined her; together they went to the little hut in the market where Fl Tigre slept and walked him. The three passed the sentry at the water gate, took possession of a canoe and pad ding down toward the head of the isl- and of San Juan, just below that of Carr thagena, made their way out to sea through the Boca Grande (big mouth), the wide entrance to the bay, which was blocked, in order to keep the buccaneers out, by sinking ships laden with stone across 1t. Reaching the ocean after a hard pull through the breakers they pad- died off to the southwest. There was 8 chance for them among the Indians of Darien if they could survive the three days trip. Fl Tigre rigged up rude using two paddles to spread it, and then lying back in the stern of the canoe steered by the stars. The lovers sat in the center. What they said to each other as the boat forged lightly over the rolling sea I do not know, but can fancy they did not talk much. s.4
 Bright and early as the first gray dawn showed itself the long black galleys be- gan to move, their oars seeming like the legs of great water centipedes. On the largest, the Santa Ysabel, was Don AL phonso, Colonel Honradez and the Frey Raphael. During tho night the captain general had walked up and down the deck, rejecting all offers of refreshment or bed, and longing for day. He had caused the slaves to be informed that he who first sighted the cameo should have liberty, and, if he chose to settle in the country, house and ground of his own. If he wished to leave Carthagena Don Aphonso pledged his word the man should be given every assistance. If a sailor sighted it he was to receive 8 thousand castelanos of gold. If an of ficer, he should be attached to the per sona1 staff of the captain general. With such rewards to be won there was not man on board, bond or free, who was not straining his eyes. The boatswains walked up and down the gangway be- tween the rowing benches, but their whips were useless, the galley slaves were spurred to doing their best as ths lash could never drive them. One of the galleys crept slowly down tho southern shore of the bay, while another exam ined the long stretch of the island of San Juan, the Santa Ysabel making her way rapidly down to the Boca Chica, to pick up what information she could from the little Indian settlement near Fort St. Paul. There was, however, no news to be got here; either the Indians had not seen the fugitives or they would not speak. Join ed by her consorts, the Santa Ysabel rowed through the Boca into the open ocean, and by direction of Don Alphonso the three spread out until they were in signal distance only, and then sailed toward Colon, OF nearly due west. If you will look at the map of South America you will see that in mak- ing for Dariea Francesca was run ming down the coast to the southwest, whereas every stroke of the galley's oars drove them farther away from the course he had taken. If they went on for twenty hours toward Colon. Fran cesco would be safe.
 The sun came up that morning of the eighth of Octoberin clear, ,cloudlesss sky. A gentle wind was blowing. the canoe danced merrily on and the lovers talked and laughed With gentle insistence, although with adoring eyes, the girl asked her lover whether he was sure he was willing to give up all for her. She admired his rich dress and chatted soft ly as she nestled her head on his shouN- daa. Rols,,d .+l,a.,a ,u.,u N.l