Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-10-17

in one great cloud that enveloped
everything in the hold. From out Of
this red cloud arose q fearful tlproar.
Yells of rage and screams of pain,
mingled with the shrieks of the mon
key, who was biting and scratching
all who came within his reach, added
to the pandemonium. Presently q
q man climbed out Of the hold, stag
gered to the bulwarks and leaped into
the sea. He was followed by another,
and another, until, last of all, came
the officer and the monkey. The two
seamen who had not gone into the
hold regained their senses in time to
rescue those of their mates who could
not swim, and recover the remainder
who were swimming blindly about.
The schooner's crew thoroughly en-
ioyed the predicament these poor fell
lows We're in, and hooted and jeered at
them as they vainly endeavored to
rub the smarting substance out of
their eyes.
Come alongside" commanded the
captain. 'I'll give you something
that will help you," and ordering the
men to lie down, he bathed their eyes
with oil until they were relieved. Just
as he was finishing his task another
boat dashed up full of armed men.
The trouble had been seen by the
officers of the warship, and, apprehend-
ing serious trouble, they had manned
a boat and come to their comrades
rescue. The officers and men leaped
aboard and demanded the reason for
the trouble. For answer the captain
pointed grimly to the matches, out of
which the red pepper was still rising.
'lhey upset box of red pepper
that's all, said he.
The officer who had commanded the
first boat began talking rapidly in
Spanish to the newcomer. AS he
talked the face of the other was grad!
ually overspread with grin that ended
in derisive laugh. The captain,
who was watching the speakers close
ly, remarked, dryly:
"The officer wasn't satisfied with
our manifest, and he has been looking
over the cargo. Perhaps you would
like to complete his task"
mo, thank you," said the other,
still laughing. 81 will let the lieuten-
ant do that, and, ordering his men.
into the boat, he was rowed swiftly
back to the cruiser.
The ''lieutenant," however, was
more than satisfied, and hastened to
follow the example set by his superior
officer. As his half-blinded men
rowed away, the captain called out to
IT say, Lieutenant, there are thirty
five more cases of pepper in the hold
that I'd be pleased to have you ex.
amine.1s
1t was quite evident, however, that
it was not the lieutenant's pleasure.
AS the schooner's sails filed and
she wore away the mate came up to
George and asked:
"How did the monkey happen to
jump down in the hold, George?"
81 threw a lump of sugar down
there. thought perhaps he might
upset the pepper or frighten the men
so that it would get knocked over
some way. Hellol there he is up in
the cross-trees." Mr.. Menendez
shook hands with him with pleas
anter expression on his face than
George thought it possible for him to
wear. He was very much embar-
rassed at all this demonstration, but
the proudest moment of all was when
the captain took him by the hand and
said, in his grutf Yankee way:
."'You done well, George, an I
reckon we can find q berth aboard this
schooner for you. = 'Twould be
shame to make surveyor out of
you. =, D.. - ~,1;sh
And this was great deal for the
captain to say.
Next night the cargo of the Happy
Thought was successfully landed, and
George was presented with hand
some gold watch and chain by Mr..
Menendez, who proved to be an agent
of the Cuban Junta.
But George put a higher value upon
the captains few words of praise
New York Ledger.