The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-03
tTo BE Continued
CHAPTER V.

secret city OF the Indians, we found
ourselves, together with Molas, at Vera
Cruz waiting for ship to take us tC
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 hammocks, three guns that
would shoot either ball or shot, with
ammunition, as many revolvers, some
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.
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 a 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.
w ucIc dShcu IIl6 agent OI Gu6
Senior Strickland, as he filed 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 Campeche,
which is the furthest port, first, and re-
flIrrn RI Ernnfnra n NUanlr lafnr
Among the passengers was one, a
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
veins, as was shown by the darkness of
his color and the thick, black eye
brows that gave truculent expression
to his face. While l was wondering
who he might be, Molas made sign to
me to come aside and said:
"You see yonder man with the silver
buttons on his coat? lie 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
Englishman do the same, for, like his
father, he is bad man.
While MOlaS was talking bell had
been rung for dinner, but | waited till
he had finished before going down. At
the door of the cabin | met the captain,
stout man with face like full moon
and n bland smile.
what do you seek, senor?" he asked.
My dinner. senior" | answered.
1T shall be sent to you on deck" he
said, not without confusion. Il do not
wish to be rude, senior. but YOU know
that these MeXicanS-I am Spariard
myself, and do not care-hate to sit at
meat with an Indian. 50 if YOU insist
upon coming in there VIII be trouble"
Not wishing to make stir. | bowed
and turned away. Meanwhile, it seems
that Senior Strickland, missing me in
the cabin, asked the captain where |
was, saying that perhaps | did not
know that the meal was ready.
If you refer to your servant, the
Indian" said the captain. Il met him
at the door and sent him away. Surely
the senior knows that we do not sit at
table with these people"
Captain" answered Senior Strick-
land, IF my friend is an Indian, he is
as good a gentleman as you or anybody
else in this cabin; moreover, he has
paid for frSt-class fare and has "a
right to iirst-class accommodations. |
insist upon a seat being provided for
him at my side"
AS you will" answered the captain,
smiling, for he was a man of peace,
''only 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:
'You 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
had told me. As l sat down he
consulted hastily with 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 table with gentlemen"
The captain shrugged his shoulders
and answered mildly:
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 cabin"
'':Senor, he answered, for his temper
was quick. Il will see you in hell be-
fore do So"
"Caramba," said the Mexican, laying
a hand upon the knife in his belt. you
shall pay for that, Engli>hman."
When and how you will. senior |
always pay my debts"
Then the captain broke in in strange
way. First he put his hand behind
him, and drawing a large pistol from
his pocket, laid it by his plate.
''SenOrs. both" he said in soft voice
md with gentle smile. Il am 10th to
Interfere in the quarrel of two esteemed
passengers, but though am only poor
sailor it is my duty to see that there is
40 bloodShed on board this vessel.
Therefore. much as | regret it, shall
be obliged to shoot dead the first man
who draws weapon" and he cooked
the pistol.
Now the Mexican scowled and
Senior Strickland laughed outright, for
Il was curious thing to hear a man
with face like a sheep growl and
threaten like a wolf Meanwhile, /
had risen, for this insult was more than
cOI1ld boar