Gloucester County Democrat., 1897-02-04
CAPTURED BY A GIRL

LAY WAS DIodkluS Wuou OsptdAu
Suarez of the schooner Chimba emerged
from his cabin and began to pace back
and forth upon his quarter deck. He was
scarce 25, but his bearing plainly indi
Gated that he had seen long service at
sea. He had not made more than q
dozen turns fore and aft when girl
came tripping lightly to his side.
All, sister, you are earlyl am
afraid your dreams could not have been
pleasant to drive you to the deck so
soon.
Say not SO, brother Carlos. The vi
sions which last night visited my pillow
were of the sweetest, for they showed to
me that our cause was bound to meet
with success, and that the would be
dictator, Balmaceda, would be driven
in disgrace from Chile by his indignant
countrymen.
"Ah, Isadel, as enthusiastic a patriot
as everl" returned the sailor. II would
that the sons of Chile possessed the
spirit of some of her daughters
may, Carlos, do not malign your
companions. But, brother, when and
where do you expect to make harborf
By this time our army must be sadly in
need of the arms and ammunition which
you have"
''If fortune favors us, we shall have
our anchor down in the port of Iquique
before another sunrise.
At that instant a voice from the
main topmast crosstrees caused brother
and sister, as we'll as the crew of the
vessel, to start with apprehension:
Smoke, OIL Two points on the port
bow
"But supposing it should be one of
Balmaceda's 8 vessels?' asked the young
girl anxiously as she grasped her broth
er's arm.
stThen our voyage will have speedy
ending unless ! can succeed in hood
winking her officers. for escape would
be out of the question. z
An hour later the sun had burned
away the mists Of night, and perhaps
mile distant was brig rugged steamer
Presently a puff of white smoke jetted
out over the bow of the pursuing craft,
and the boom of gun was borne to the
ears Of those on board the smaller vessel.
''That means for us to heave to, Isa-
del, and show our colors. -
"But who are they, Carlos-friends
or enemies?''
''They belong to the other party, and
we may expect the worst. Had you not
better go below to your stateroom until
we learn the result of the coming meet
ing?"
eyes, Carlos, will leave the deck if
you will promise me one thing"
'And that is?"
''To follow these instructions to the
letter. Read them carefully, and then
destroy the paper. Farewell, brother .
and, with fervent hand clasp, Isadel
Suarez hurried below.
AS his sister disappeared through the
companionway the captain glanced at
the note. When his eyes fell upon the
writing, he started in surprise, but as
he continued to read smile broke over
his features.
The captain now ordered the Chilean
flag to be hoisted to the main peak, say
ing, as he saw the bunting fiuttering
aloft, "We are still sons of Chile and
will meet either friend or foe beneath
her ensign"
Schooner, ahoyl Who are you, and
where from?''
''The Chimba, from Callao for VAL
paraiso.
"Aye. aye! Stay where you are, and
I'll send boat aboard -
Soon cutter from the man-of-war
was alongside, and an officer stepped to
the deck and demanded to see the papers
of the schooner, with list of her cargo,
stores and crew.
Without the slightest hesitation the
young commander placed bundle OF
official looking documents on the table
in the cabin before his visitor, and then
stepped back pace. One after another
the papers were closely sorutinized un-
til the stranger reached the vessels
clearance.
''It strikes me there is something
wrong about this. The seal Of the Pc
ruvian government does not look just
right. .
1T is as / received it but an hour
before leaving port, senior.
'How long ago were You in Callaos"
t'We sailed week today
"Again something strange, captain,
for we ourselves were in that port
shortly before that time. and am posi-
tive there was no such vessel as the
schooner Chimba in the harbor then. 1"
If you have any doubts as to the
honesty of our purpose, quickly re-
marked the captain, ''could you not
send six or eight men with us to VAL
paraiso. The crew is small. and will
gladly relinquish command to any one
whom you may detail for the service. "
It might be better for us to take You
in tow ourselves, but will lay the