El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-16
CHAPTER XXI.
I Confront the CubanO,

| CHAPTER XXI
| Confront the Cubano.
! From the wild thoughts and fancies
which the horrors Of that early morn
| ing, our strange situation, and my own
rather active imagination, were sug-
costing, I was reused by Ned Carlton
who, on being relieved from the wheel
| came forward to the bows, where most
of the crew were seated on the wind
| lass, or were 1ounging against the bits
specializing on what might turn up
next.
In an excited and impressive man
ner, he reported that he had heard,
from time to time, the sound of means,
as from some one in great pain in the
cabin; that he believed that either the
captain or mate yet survived; and if
we could get down by any means we
might be in time to save one or the
other. If he was bleeding to death,
the victim could not last Tonga little
time, and we should be too late!
This information increased our anx-
iety, and greatly excited us.
Remembering the manner IN which
Antonio first came on board-the mys-
terry of his being alone in the blood
stained boat-his dreams-the disap-
pearance of Roberts-the occurrences
of the morning-and though last not
least, the rough treatment to which
the crew had subjected him on the
night we passed the line-none were
very willing to enter the cabin where
this savage Cubano, flushed with
brandy, bloodshed and ferocity, sat
with loaded pistols in his hands. But
all felt that something must be done;
that, while doubt remained, it
should be solved. and a life so i'm
portant to us saved, even though 9TH
ers be risked for it.
I volunteered to become the envoy
Of the crew.
mo, no, Master Rodney" said Tat
tooed Tom; this will never do What.
do you think we will let you venture
into that murderer's den while so
many able-bodied fellows hang
astern?"
tBut I know his language, which
none of you do"
''He speaks the Queens English now
as we'll as any of u.s. said Carlton,
"and if 1 had only pistol or a mus
ket to give me but one chance for my
life, I would have made it speak to
him long ago, in the lingo such pirates
know best"
Moreover, as I did not modest him
on the night we crossed the line he
has no particular grudge at me-" I
urged.
There is some sense and truth in
that" muttered several Of the crew.
'I'l got is settled" said I, anxious
to solve the mystery of the groans,
while feeling a glow of triumph at the
applause I should gain for the risk
ran, which assuredly was not small
one.
''It is shame for us 1ubberly fell
lows to stand by here and see that lad
risk his life said Probart, one of the
crew; ''and if so be that creole plea
room falls foul of him"
eff he does" exclaimed Tom Lam
bourne through his firmly set teeth,
while striking his clenched right hand
on the hard palm of the left, may I
never see England again if we don't
attack him at stem and stern at once!
I'll drop down the skylight, with as
many as will follow me, while you,
Ned, will dash down the companion
way with the rest, and then at him
with Ratchet, handsaw and capstan-
bar. He can't kill us all, shipmates.
hats one comfort-he can't kill us
I'LL"
The prospect of an early demise was
neither soothed nor encouraged by this |
promise of the bloody scene that was |
% follow.
The carpenter gave me a small but |
yery sharp tomahawk. l concealed it |
n my breast, and resolved to use it to |
ome purpose if molested in the cabin.
The idea flashed upon me that by one
determined blow l might disable him
orever, and perhaps do an act of JUS
ice by dispatching him outright.
With a vague sense that 1 was about
o face a terrible danger, and that the
ooner it was faced and past, the bet
er, l walked hastily aft, and on de-
cending the companionladder, paused
yhen halfway down, and after knock
ng on the bulkhead called out distinct
= and boldly
''Antonio! Halo, Cubano!"
''Well, what do you want?" asked he.
ulkily.
''To speak with you; may 1 come
OWN"
Enter, companero; you have not yet
armed me, thus bear you no malice"
Putting hand in my breast to ascer-
lin that my little Ratchet was secure.