Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-09-05


soon as he made his appearance on
deck the mate told him to go down
into the cabin, as the captain wished
to see him. With many misgivings
George went below and found the cap
tain accompanied by a small, dark
man, who seemed to be extremely
nervous-so much so, in fact, that
George thought that he, too, might be
a stowaway. Still he looked as if he
was quite able to pay his fare.
'Well, young man," began the cap
tain, what did you hide yourself on
board this sooner for?'
81 wanted to be sailor" was the
prompt reply, and then he described
the manner in which he had come
aboard, hidden himself in the hold,
and, finally, how he had dug his way
through the cargo.
"Why did you choose this vessel to
run away in?" said the small man,
regarding George with evident suspi-
| cion.
because J thought she was the
finest ship in the. harbor."
George thought he saw the captains
features relax little at this reply, but
the next question was delivered more
sternly than the others.
"What did you find in the hold?"
Cartridges and guns and red pep
per and -four"
''Put him in ironsl Put him in
irons! He's spy!" screamed the lit
tie, dark man.
"Mr. Menendez," said the captain,
improssively, $50 long as I'm captain
of this schooner, I calkerlate to de-
liver my own orders" Then, turning
to the boy, said: you've got pret-
ty good idea of what kind of trip
you're takin', I reckon?"
"Yes, sir; it's flibustering expe-
dition, I think"
'Just SO. An you know what they
do to tilibusters when they catch
em?" .a
eyes, sir; they shoot them."
'Then, if you don't want to get
shot, all you've got to do is to hold
your tongue an tend to your own
business, if we should happen to be
boarded by any one. Now run upon
deck an tell Mr.. Jones to put you to
| work" - = =
The mate kept George pretty busy
at odd jobs, but as he was very anx-
ious to learn and was willing to try
anything, he soon won the favor of
the captain and mate. AS for the
sailors, they simply made hero of
him otter his story became known.
One of them even went SO far as to
present him with small monkey that
he had kept chained behind the
cooks galley, and all his spare time
was spent in teaching the little fellow
to perform.
One morning, about three daye after
he had made his appearance, George
came on deck and found Mr.. Menen-
dez and the captain engaged in very
earnest conversation, frequently cast
ing uneasy glances at vessel that lay
about a mile away. Just then puff
of smoke shot out from her side, and
moment later the mufied report of q
gun rolled over the water.
''Shall we hold our course?" George
heard Mr.. Mendenez anxiously inquire
OF the captain. ess'.4- ~
Yes --5-@A-, .---,s---. ~.
Then another puff was seen, and a
shot went skipping along across the
water far in front of the schooner. A
short, savage order from the captain,
and the schooner was brought into the
wind with all sails fluttering.
"Are you sure we are safe if they
take it into their heads to examine the
cargo?" said Mr.. Menendez.
Perfectly safe. In the first place,
what would they examine the cargo OF
a coasting schooner for? No one ever
heard of such vessel doing any fill
clustering. In the second place those
man wars men are too tarnally lazy
to move the heavy bales we have on
top Of the ammunition"
In spite of the captains declaration,
George could see shade of anxiety
pass over his face, as he watched a
boat that had come alongside. The
officer in the stern sheets clambered
aboard and was cooliy received by the
captain, who, after moments con-
yersation, showed his manifest. The
ofiger was evidently not satisfied, for,
calling to his men, he had them re-
move the battered down matches. The
captain threatened and protested, but
the officer answered with an inso-
lent grin, and, in company with
all but two of his seamen,
who were detailed to guard the
matches, commenced to overhaul the
cargo. To Georges dismay, they
commenced at the identical spot
where he had made his exit.
''If they find the guns and cart
ridges, they will confscate the cargo
and kill us all, perhaps, thought he.
Then, to make matters worse, one of
the sailors, finding that the flour bar
rel could be easily moved, lifted it out
and knocked the head in. The fact
that it was empty was regarded with
suspicion. Th, next thing that was
picked up was the box of red pepper.
The cover was pried of, and, seeing
what the contents were, one of the men
set it on the empty flour barrel pre-