Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-11-25
SAVED BY QUICKSAND.

Papa l don't like the way those
men huddle together forward. They
are up to some mischief, you can de-
pend upon it,
Nonsense, Ella, nonsense!' cried
bluff old Capt. Myers, and he pushed
back the broad-brimmed straw hat
which protected his head from the
fierce tropical sun. THE crew is all
right, and by sundown, if this breeze
holds out, Wen be at the mouth of the
Colorado"
Having thus delivered himself the
Captain turned on his heel and entered
the cabin, while Ella, with another
direful look towards the sullen-face
crew, hcaved deep sigh and sank in
to chair, which the first mate of the
Peerless. handsome Frank Edwards,
had placed for her on the poop deck,
beneath an improvised awning that
had been stretched to shelter her from
the rays of the burning sun.
Her face frightened presently, when
quiet step sounded on the deck and
the mate stood before her
What did he say" he asked. in an
eager whisper.
"Pooh-poohed the whole thing as Il
silly girls foolish fancy, and stalkcd
into the cabin, red with anger, when I
mentioned your name"
Il feared as much," said the young
man, sadly. THAT scar-faced scoun-
drel, Manuel Rosario, has learned that
we have Il cargo of arms. ammunition
and general stores for the troops at
Fort Yuma, and this knowledge has
excited his cupidity
When we stopped for water at San
Francisco Island he met an agent OF
the insurgents, and was promised a
liberal sum if he would capture the YES
sci and turn it and the cargo over to
them. / will perfect my plans so tla
we can escape from the bark in case
Rosario and his men mutiny and seize
her"
And papa" faltered Ella.
III force him to go with us. Now
don't worry, dear heart, for feel able
to cope with the rascals when the time
for action comes"
They We're In the upper gulf Of Cali
fornia, where it narrows to meet the
waters Of the Colorado River.
All but two Of the original crew
shipped in New York had died of the
yellow fever, which broke out with ter
rible virulence shortly after they pass.
ed Cape st. Lucas and entered the gulf.
ship native crew at Guaymas, and
employed Manuel Rosario, an ex- pearl
diver, who, unknown to him, was i'm
plicated In a revolution then in prog
ress on the peninsula, to enlist the re.
quisite number of men.
Rosario boldly planned to make Can't.
Myers, the Captains daughter ELLA and
Mate Frank Edwards prisoners, seize
the vessel and run 1t into a secluded
harbor between the head of San Fran
cisco Island and the mouth of the Colo
RADIO River.
The tides on the Gulf of California
are gigantic, the rise and fall of the
water averaging Seventy-five feet.
Rosario knew that they would enter
the mouth of the Colorado River that
night, and, as the tide was particularly
swift at that point, the bark would be
securely anchored during the chb ana
how Of the tremendous current.
This he resolved should be the time
and place of attack, and his faithful
henchmen only awaited his signal tn
make the Captain, mate and beautiful
young girl prisoners.
In tow of the bark was small
dingy. Drawing this up to the rudder
post, Mate Edwards opened one of the
cabin windows and dropped into it
such articles as would be of use to
them In their fight, as well as provis-
ions for three or four days
About 4 o'clock In the afternoon the
Peerless entered the river, and as the
tide was low and would shortly turn,
capt. Myers secured his vessel with q
bow and stern anchor aud awaited the
coming rush Of water, preceded by its
ordinary high advance wave.
1t could be discerned in the distance,
The Capain and his daughter were
leaning over the stern rail watching il
approach when Manuel Rosario gave
the signal for the revolt. He and two
of his men stole softly towards the un.
Slspeceting Captain. He dashed IN
the companion stairs.
Capt. Myers in another nom mt was
struggling in the grasp Of Rosarios 5
companions,
Before the latter could draw wca-
pons, the mate shot one and badly
wounded the other
Rosario released Ella. whom he had
seized. and shouted for assistance.
Reversing his heavy SiX-ShOOter, Mate
Edwards brought the butt down upon
Rosario's head with force that sent
him moaning and half senseless to tho
deck.
Quick" he cried, seizing Elias arm
cover the stern rail. There is a ladde:
Drop into the boat. I win keep these
other ruftians at bay"
BY the time his revolver was emptied