The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-04-19

weref0bc awakened at half past three.
Anchors were hove short and everything
was ready
In the meantime Don 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 hsarrying 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 Che sentry at the water
gate, took possession Of canoe and pad
ding down toward the head Of the ISL
and of San J1an, just below that Of Car
thagena, made their way out to sea
through the Boca Grande (big 1nouth),
the wide entrance to the bay, which was
blocked, in order to keep the buccaneers
out, by sinking ships laden with stone
across it. Reaching the ocean after
hard pull through the breakers they pad
died of to the southwest. There was
chance for them among the Indians of
Darien if they could survive the three
days trip. FL Tigre rugged up rude
sail from the cloak Don Francesca wore,
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 I can
fancy they did not talk much.
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 Honadez and the Frey
Raphael. During the. night the captain
general had walked up and down the
deck, rejecting al offers of refreshment
or a bed, and longing for day. He had
caused the slaves to be informed that be
who first sighted the canoe should have
liberty, and, If he chose to settle in the
country, a house and ground of his own.
IF he wished to leave Carthagena Don
Alphcnso pledged his word the man
should be given every assistance If q
sailor sighted it he was to receive a
thousand castelanoe Of gold. IF an Of
fcer, no should be attached to the per
sonal 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 6purred to doing their best as the
lash could never drive them. One Of the
galieys crept slowly down the southern
shore Of the bay, while another exam
ined tho long stretch Of the island of San
Juan, the Santa ISABEL making her way
rapidly down to tho Boca Chica, to pick
up what inSormation she could from the
little indian settiementnear FortSt. 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 corscrts, the Santa ISABEL
rowed through the Roca 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, or nearly due west.
IF you viii lock at the map Of South
America you viii SEQ that In MAX
ing for Darien 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 October in clear ,clondless sky.
A gentle wind WIS blowing, the canoe
danced merxiiy on and the lovers talked
and laughed With gentle tnsistence,
although with aderiug 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 shout
der. Behind them was FL Tgre. grim
and watchful as he steered the canoe,
taking advantage of every breath of the
light breeze which swelled the folds Of
their sail. Francesca raised the ques-
ton of the reception they would meet
among the Indians of the Darien, one of
the fercest tribes Of tho main, and Ell
Tigre told him, Nechtla being the pref
ty interpreter, they need have no fear.
He belonged to the priestI2 caste and
would find friends everywhere. Fran
cesco thought Of his father with some
thing like regret; he cared nothing for
his rank or station, but he hoped some
day to SEQ Don Alphonso again. He
looked at his sword and dreamed that
like his grandfather he could yet carve
out fame and fortune for himself and
his beautiful bride. And then he glanced
at Nechtla and decided the world was
well lost for love! What, Nechtla in the
hands of the Inquisition and that grim
Frey Carioss Never!
All day long they sailed, feeling no
need Of food. Far into the night they
joufneyed on until Francesco's eyes be-
gan to get heavy, and with Nechtla in his
arms he sank to sleep. The iron man at
81 -. 81 -