Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-26

carrying tho patriots can shoot their
enemies over the edges Of the island in
to the Caribbean sea. And there is no
reason why you should get stopped.
There are filibustering expeditions fitted
out every week from Key West and
Taso and tie other Florida ports. and
one or two have even started from New
York itself. -
"But they haven't got through" sug.
gested Captain Kettle.
"Not all Of them." Mr. Carnforth
admitted. but, then, you see, they
sailed in schoouers. and you have got
steam. Besides. they started from the
States, where the newspapers knew all
about them, and no their arrival was
cabled on 10 Cuba ahead, and you have
the advantage Of sailing from an Eng.
lish port"
II don't see where the pull comes
in. said Kettle gloomily. There isn't
. blessed country ON the face OF the
globe more interfering with her own
people than England. A Yankee can do
as he darn well pleases in the filibuster
ing line, but il Britisher makes Q
move that way the blessed law here
stretches out 30 hands and plucks him
back by the tail before he half started.
No, Mr.. Carnfortb, I'm not sweet on
the chances. I'm poor man, and this
means lot to me. That why I'm anx.
ious. You're rich. You only stand to
lose the cost Of the consignment, and IL
that gets confiscated IL won't mean
much to you"
Carnforth erinned. "You pay my
business qualities o poor compliment,
captain. You can bet your life l had
money down in hard cash before | stir
red foot in the matter. The weapons
and the ammunition were paid for at
90 per cent above list prices, 80 as TO
cover the trouble Of secrecy, and got Q
charter for the yacht to bring the stuff
out here which would astonish you II
you saw the figures. No, I'm clear Of
the matter from this moment, captain,
but III not deny that / shall take an
interest In your future adventures with
the cargo. Help yourself 20 a cigarette. ="
'Then il seems To me. said Kettle
acidly. "that you'll look at me just as
q hare set on to run for your amuse-
ment."
The yacht owner laughed. "You put
it brutally." he said, "but that's about
the size Of it. And. if you want further
truths, here's one: shouldn't particu-
larry mind il you were caught"
"How's that:"
Because, my dear skipper, IL the
Spanish captured this consignment, the
patriots would want another, and
should get the order, whereas. II you
land the stuff safely. il will see them
through to the end Of the war, and my
chance Of making further profit will be
mt an end. v
"You have very clear way Of put
ting IL, 4" said Captain Kettle.
Haven't |? Which will you take
green chartreuse or Yellow"
And, Mr.. Gedge, can you tell me,
sir, how he stands over this business
"Oh, you bet, Gedge knows when to
come in out of the wet He's got the
old Sultan underwritten by the insur-
ance and by the Cuban agents up to
double her value. and nothing would
suit his books better than for Spanish
cruiser to drop upon you"
Captain Kettle got up, reached for
his cap and swung it aggressively on TO
one side Of his head.
"Very we'll" he said. That's your
side Of the question. Now hear mine
That cargo's going through, and those
rebels or patriots or whatever they are
shall have their guns II half the Span
ish navy was there TO try and stop me.
You and Mr. Gedge have started about
this business the wrong way. Treat me
on the square. and I'm q man child
might handle, but I'd not be- driven by
the queen Of England-no, net with the
emperor Of Germany to help her "
"Oh, look here captain" said Carn-
forth. Don't get your back up. "
I'll not trade with you" replied
Kettle.
lyon re "a fool to your own interests.
IL know it, said the sailor grimly.
"I've known it all my life. II I'd not
been that, I'd not have found myself in
such shady company as there is here
now"
Look here, you rufiian II you insult
me III kick you out Of this cabin and
over the side into your own boat. "
"All right, " said Kettle. Start III.
Carpforth half rose from his seat and
measured Captain Kettle with his eye
Apparently the scrutiny impressed him.
for he sank back to his seat again with
an embarrassed laugh. You're an ug-
ly little devil. be said.
"I'm all that" said Kettle.
"And I'm not going to play at rough
and tumble with you here. We've nei'
ther Of US anything to gain by 1t, and
I've lot to lose. ! believe you II run
that cargo through noT that you're put
on your mettle, but guess there'll be
trouble for somebody before it's dealt
out to the patriot troops. Cad, I'd like
to be somewhere on hanc to watch you
do it.
81 don't object to an audience. )" said
Kettle.
"By Jovel I've half mind to come
with you.
You'd better not" said the little
sailor, with glib contempt. "You re
not the sort that cares to risk his skin,
and can't be bothered with deadhead
passengers. "
"That settles it," said Carnforth.
"I'm coming with you to run that
blockade, and il the chance comes, my
cantankerous friend, I'll show you can