Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-04-19
A MYSTERIOUS PLOT.

"lf we only had few hours more
Of daylight, we might be able to get
in to an anchor before the wind in
creases to gale; for a gale is making
and ele long, If we do not reach a
shelter fear that we shall have all
we can do to keep the bark clear Of
the reefs j" and the captain turned an
anxious look toward long, dark line
which stretched for some distance
along the southern horizon,
/, the mate of the Curlew, stood by
his side and followed the gaze Of the
skipper The land of Cuba lay under
our lee, and were it not for the threat.
ening weather we would have been a
a jolly crew, for the entrance to our
port was near at mad, but with APP
preaching darkness and a growing
hurricane, we were-too full Of appre-
hension to rejoice at our close prOx-
unity to shore and teryently wished
that we could be leagues away upon
the broad Atlantic where we would
have plenty Of room to battle with
the coming tempest,
"Were it any place but Cuba, we
might expect to find a pilot with
courage enough to push Off even in
this blow to help vessel in Distress"
replied de. ectedlH
They would not trust themselves
to board us with the wind blowing a.
it is now, if we were directly in the
mouth Of the harbor," answered the
captain. Then he added "By my
reckoning we are scarce fifteen miles
from Key Francis Light and if dark
ness was but two hours away would
take the chances Of running in with
out assistance from shore, but with
out daylight it would be simply mad
ness, &c. call all hands, and we'll
haul the vessel close on to the wind
and stand off shore while we have a
chance"
"Ay ay, sir" l replied, and turned
to carry out the instructions of my
superior. Ere | could issue the Or
der, however, was rendered speech
less by the sudden appearance of a
stranger who sprang with agility of
youth, from the after ompanion- way
and stood before me upon the quarter
deck, one hand uplifted as though to
check my further progress
Before / could recover from my sur
prise the singular being broke The
silence in voice which bore a strong
Castilan accent.
Hold, senior mate. This vessels
course must not be changed"
''In the name of all that's wonder
full, where did you come from" de-
manded the captain, stepping to my
side and peering earnestly into the
face of our mysterious visitor.
II have been in your midst for
many days, yet you knew it not l
saw the shores Of your free land fade
from sight when you sailed away
upon this voyage, but lay concealed,
lest the knowledge of my presence
should anger the captain and per-
chance cause him trouble in dgys to
come"
"A stowaway" gasped the captain
in establishment. Fourteen days
from port and we not know that you
were aboard"
II know not what you mean by
stowaway, senior, but if it is an un-
invited passenger, yet one who in
tends to pay literally for his trans
portation from land of liberty to a
country whose people have been
nearly stamped from existence be-
meath the heel Of tyranny lam such.
But come, the day is waning. See,
cen now the bright light upon Key
Francis streams out upon the waters,
and look, your course is two points
out Of the way" and the speaker ex-
tended hand toward the faring
beacon.
"But dare not attempt the pass
age by the reef tonight, and in this
blow. l shall haul her on the wind
and strive to ''claw" off Shore and
wait for lull, or daylight"
"Know you the nature of the
storm that is growing upon us, senor?"
"By NE action of the barometer
and the look of those copper-t inged
clouds l am prepared to expect a
norther," returned the captain.
Nor will you he disappointed,
senior. Ere midnight the elements
will be fully aroused and like mighty
giants in their wrath will destroy
such poor mortals as may be so I'M
fortunate as to cross their path.
Your bark is strong and able, yet
were you to persist in your present
Intentions her ribs and spars would
strew the coral reef and the rising
sun would shed its rays upon the life
less and mangled bodies Of your crew."
"YOu speak like a man familiar
with the sea! Who are you?" l again
asked.
who l am, it is better for you not
to know. Suffice it, senior, that these
ATTITUDES are known to me, and par
ticularly this treacherous coast on to
which we are now driving" Then
turning quickly to the man at the
wheel, the stranger added in voice
of authority:
''Put your helm up, and let the
vessels head pay off until you bring
that light one point on the port
bow" To me, he continued: