The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-09-30
CHAPTER VII.

barges filed with men approaching
from the mainland.
"Ahi The Spaniards,r he muttcred.
He sat, almost motionless, grasping
the tiller, until he was sure that the
soldiers had got sight of him, then he
suddenly changed his course as though
trying to escape from them, but in re-
atty he had checked the hcadwny of
his boat, for he had eased of the sheet
of his sail 50 far that the little piccc of
light canvas was nearly shaking in the
wind
The officers in charge of the cxpedi-
ton were quick to notice the mancuvcr
of our hero, and their suspicious were
at once aroused. They ord ,red t. men
to get out the long sweeps and were
soon in hot pursuit
When Jose saw that the enemy were
after him he picked up one of the large
stones, which served as ballast, and
dropped it overheard.
The pursuers were close enough to
see the splash but not so near as to be
able to dctcrrninc the nature Of the
article which their chase was so anxious
to dispose of.
Two more stones followed the first,
and the Spaniards became exasperatcd,
for they felt sure the man was getting
rid of some contraband cargo.
In vain they called to him to desist,
and then, losing patience, their rifles
began to crack. That the soldiers had
received orders not to shoot to kill was
evident by the distance from their mark
at which the bullets struck the water.
They had their effect, however, for
Jose at once let go the halyards Of mis-
little sail and allowing it to run down,
awaited patiently the coming of the en-
envy; but when they were close along
side he began to beg most pitcou ~ for
mercy, and one would have taken him
for an abject craven, to judge by his
actions.
"Oh, SENIORS, SENIORS! spare me, spare
me, | prayl" he exclaimed. Il was
forced to come in this boat else they
would have killed me-but, believe me,
l intended to turn the whole of my load
over in the hands of the soldiers, when
| should find them"
"Ah, indeed" sneered the command
ing officer. "a very pretty tale. Did
we not see You endeavoring to get rid
Of your entire cargo? That docs not
look as if you wished the soldiers to
have the handling of i'll But let us see
what there is left and the Spaniard
stepped into the boat, while Jose sat
shivering in apparent fear.
"Ah, ha, my men, A goodly find we
Io,.a mod, - enid tta ffftsD,. bie atra
fell upon the two cases. 'Here are
rifles and ammunition. But this can
not be the whole amount of which we
learned the rebels were in possession.
Tell me how much more have you left
at Key Francis"
"Not another thing, senior. Not an
other thing. The last load was sent
in lighter this morning to Senior
Jacinto's plantationl Oh, senior, if you
will spare my life, will show you the
way thitherl' besought Jose, very
humbly. "And believe me, there are
over a hundred cases such as those
which have already been taken there,
while but small guard is stationed
over there Oh. Capitano, say that you
will not kill me-
xiii you! you miserable wretch!"
exclaimed the officer, with marked
contempt. "You are not worth the cx-
pense of powder and ball. But, quick,
tell me where this plantation lies, and
you may liver
"Thanks, senior, thanks! 1t is some
fifteen miles along the coast to the
westward. Ican\take you to the very
spot"
"Then step into the barge, and di-
rect the coSswain which course to
steer. But, mind, if you display any
treachory, your life will pay the penal
ty.n
81 know. senior, l1now'--eplied
Jose, wrin ring hi hands in seeming
anguish. keep to the westward, and
close in to the shore, so that may see
the marks and know where to Land.
will be faithful, SENIORS, oh, yes, | will
be faithful"
Had his captors been particularly OBJ
servant they would have noticed a
ring in the voice of their prisoner which
the circumstances hardly seemed TO
warrant, and greatly out of keeping
WIN MS apparent ucJSctiOn.
When the two barges were pointed
away from the direction of Key Fran
els, with its important secret, the noble
Cuban could scarcely repress a cry of
exultation, for he felt now that the
safety of his comrades was assured.
Mile after mile the soldiers pulled
their heavy boats, but at every query
of the captain:
"Are we near our landing placer"
Jose would reply:
Further vet, senior. We must go
until we see small clump of mango
trees growing close down to the waters
edge; these mark the mouth of little
creek, up which we go but a few rods,
then push through the forest a short
distance until we reach the plantation.
There, in deserted sugarmill, we shall
find the arms"
This straight forward explanation
seemed to satisfy the commander, and
he spurred the rowers on to greater ex-
ertions. After several hours of arduous
labor the pilot pointed to some mango
trees and said: There is the creek,
senor!"
At once, the barges were headed to-
ward the shore and entered the minia-
ture river, for Jose had guided them
Alright, as far as the topography of the
country was concerned.
As the boats proceeded up the stream,
the officer, in command, became highly
elated, and promised his prisoner not
only his life, but handsome reward if
they were successful in capturing the
insurgents and their arms.
When they had reached place where
the right bank was Invested Of trees,
Jose suggested that they should land
and proceed the rest of the way on foot.
The sun was casting long shadows in
dicitmg that the day was waning
,,.l,n,, t,n C,,n r,in,..ls loft their- HINTS