The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-12-14
CHAPTER v.
THE BEGINNING OF THE QUEST.

CHAPTER v.
THE BEGINNING OF THE QUEST.
Something more than a month from
the day when Senior Strickland and
| made our compact to search for the
secret city of the Indians, we found
ourselves, together with Molas, at Vera
Cruz waiting for ship to take US to
Frontera.
At Vera Cruz we purchased such
articles as were necessary TO our jour-
ney, not MANY, for we could not be sure
Of finding means to carry them. Among
them were ha1nmoclss, three guns that
would shoot either ball or shot, with
medicine, blankets, boots and spare
clothes.
Also we took with us all the money
that we had, amounting to something
over fifteen hundred dollars in gold,
which sum we divided between us, car
rying it in belts. = $3.50
We took passage in a Mexican boat
called the Santa Maria.
She was an Old sailing vessel Of not
more than two hundred and fifty tons
burden that had been converted by her
owners into paddle-wheel steamer,
with the result that except in favor
able weather she could neither sail nor
steam with any speed or safety, and
her business was to trade with passen-
gers and cargo between Vera Cruz and
the ports of Frontera and Campeche.
Where for?" asked the agent of the
Senior Strickland, as he filled in the
tickets.
''Frontera," he answered. "Your boat
stops there, does she not?"
"Oh, certainly, senor," he said, as he
pocketed the dollars, and yet all the
while this shameless rogue knew that
she had orders to touch at Campcchc,
which is the furthest port, first, and re-
turn to Frontera week later.
Among the passengers was one:
man of not more than thirty years OF
age, who particularly attracted our at
tention. He was large, handsome and
coarse and had Indian blood in his
his color and the thick, black eye
brows that gave 81 truculent expression
to his face. While | was wondering
who he might be, Molas made a sign to
me to come aside and said:
"You see yonder man with the silver
buttons on his coat? He is Don Jose
Moreno. the son of that Don Pedro
Moreno who waylaid and robbed me of
the nuggets which the old Indian gave
me. Beware OF him, lord, and bid the
Englishn1an do the same, for, like his
father, he is a bad man."
/ While Molas was talking a bell had
been rung for dinner, but waited till
he had finished before going down. At
the door Of the cabin NETT captain,
, a stout man witt, a face like full moon
/ and bland smile.
"What do you seek, senor?" he asked.
t'My dinner, senor," answered.
ut, shall be sent to you on deck" he
! wish to be rude, senior, but you know
that these Mexicans--I am Spaniard
myself, and do not care-hate to sit at
meat with an Indian, SO if you insist
upon coming in there will be trouble"
Not wishing to make a stir, bowed
and turned away. Meanwhile, it seems
i that Senior Strickland, missing me in
the cabin, asked the captain where
was, saying that perhaps l did not
| know that the meal was ready.
''If you refer to your servant, the
Indian" said the captain, II met him
| at the door and sent him away. Surely
the senior knows that we do not sit at
! BILE with these people"
! Captain" answered Senior Strick-
land, sif my friend is an Indian, he is
else in this cabin: moreover, he has
paid for frst-class fare and has
right to first-class accommodations
insist upon seat being provided for
him at my side
CAS- you WILL" answered the captain,
smiling, for he was man Of peace,
''onlv If he comes there will be trouble"
And he ordered the steward to fetch me.
| Seeing me in the doorway, Senior
Strickland called me in loud voice,
saying:
'sYou are late to dinner, friend, but
have kept your place here by me. Sit
down quickly, Or the food will be cold. !"
bowed to the company and obeyed,
and then the trouble began, for all
present had heard this talk. Now, al
most opposite me sat Don Jose Mo-
reno, the man of whom Molas
consulted hastily with a neighbor on
his right, then addressing the captain,
said in low voice:
"There is some mistake, it is not
usual that Indian dogs should sit at the
same ia BILE with gentlemen"
The captain shrugged his shoulders
and answered mildly: 49,.
Perhaps the senior will settle the
question with the English senior on my
left. To me it does not matter; am
only poor sailor and accustomed to
every sort of company.
"Senor Strickland" said Don Jose,
"be SO good as to order your servant to
leave the ca bin +
..Scnor, he answered, for his temper
was quick, Il will see you in hell be-
fore / do so.
.sGaramba,' ;. said the Mexican, laying
q hand upon the knife in his belt, you
shall pay for that, Eng lishInan.
When End how you will senps
always pay my debts. &