The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-04-05
MYSTERIOUS PLOT.

VI ~ Ae
OF we only had a few hours more
-, daylirht. we might be able to get
IN ia an anchor before the wind in
rreases to a gale: for a gale is making
onn rle long, If we do not reach a
sh.Ifer | fear that we shall have all
We can do to keep the bark clear Of
the reefs and the captain turned an
anyious look toward a long, dark line
,ght.h stretched for some distance
aiuur the southern horizon.
the mate of the Curlew, stood by
hi. : de and followed the gaze of the
skinner. The land OF Cuba lay under
ar zee. and were it not for the threat.
cn,up weather we would have been a
q oily crew. for the entrance to our
,rt was near at mad, but with APP
'ro9 hing darkness and n growing
h,ryicane, We were too full Of appre-
tension to rcjoice at our close proX-
unity TO shore and i~cr\ently wished
ihat we ,ould lie leagues away upon
the broad Atlantic where we would
ave plenty Of room to battle with
,De coming tempest.
"Wcrc 1t any place but Cuba, we
miLA1 cX!ect to lind a pilot with
rufagc enough to push Off even in
tbs bow to help d vessel in Distress"
re lied DE- G tcdiW.
,Ihey would not trust themselves
10 GARD Us with the wind blowing a
II is Row. if we Werc directly in the
m0Uch Of the harDor," answered. the
c!ptiin Tncn he added: by my
" cGoniug we are scarce fifteen miles
from Key Francis Light and if dark
ness was hut two hours away l would
take he chances Of running in with
oft assistance from shore, bat with
|cNt daylight it would be simply mad
ne $ 50. call alt hands, and Wen
lmul the vessel close on to the wind
and stand off shore while we have a
clanre."
cay. ay. Sir" l replied, and turned
t. carry out the Instructions of my
s%1pcrior. Ere | could issue the Or
der. however, | Was rendered S. eech-
less by tie sudden appearance of a
stranger who sprang with ag lit; OF
Mouth, from the aftcr-cOmpanion-way
and stood before me upon the quarter
&c X, one hand uplifted as though to
cucck my further progress.
ietore l could 0 from my sur
pr Sc the singular being broke The
Silence in a voice which bore a strong
caStilian accent.
'II1ld. senor mate. This vessels
course NUT not be changed"
I'm The name OF all that's wonder
ful, where did you come from" de-
handed the captain. stepping to my
side and peering earnestly into the
ia e of our mysterious Wis. tor.
Il have hcen in your midst for
many DAYS, yet you knew it not. l
saw the shores OF your free land fade
rom sight when you sailed away
upon THIS voyage, but lay concealed,
Jest the knowledge Of my presence
Should anger the captain and per-
chance cause him trouble in days to
come"
"A s~towaway.," gasped the captain
lh establishment. '.FOurteen days
i'"ia port and we not know that you
We're aboard"
Il know not what you mean by
s~lo"aWay. senior. but if it is an I'M
Invited passenger, yet one who in
tends to ay literally for his trans
l'rlatlOn from a land of liberty to a
e' hlFY whose people have been
near y stamped from existence be-
leajh the heel of tyranny, i am such.
l"t come. the day is waning. See.
zen ROW tie bright light upon Key
iIahciS streams out u on the waters,
ana look. your course is two points
rl the way" and the speaker ex-
,pNIcl Il hand toward the tlaring
beacon.
""nt | dare not attempt the pass
~ the reef tonight, and in this
now ! shall haul her on the wind
SNa strive to ''claw" off shore, and
"'ic Tor II lull, or daylight"
'NhoW YOU the nature Of the
S.''m That is growing upon us, senor?:"
~ the action of the barometer
~"u we 'ooE of those copper-tingcd
'o'H am prepared to expect a
'"'VArf' returned the captain.
N0f viii YOU he disappointed,
u Ere midnight the elements
"'I I've lully aroused ard like mighty
r"H'N IN their wrath will destroy
~ toor Mortals as may he SO un-
',"a"'e aS 10 cross their path.
D"I bark is strong and able. yet
HoH to persist in your present
nN'lonN her ribs and spars would
"" t'c coral rect and the rising
would shrd It's rays upon the life
N'''! !Aans. ed bod. e of your crew u