Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-06-15

portant to us saved, even though 9TH
ers be risked for 1t.
I volunteered to become the envoy
Of the crew.
NO, 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?"
But I know his language, which
none of you do.''
He speaks the Queens English now
as well as any Of u.s." said Carlton.
"and II I had only pistol or a mus
ket to give me but one chance for my
life. I would have made 1t speak to
him long ago, in the lingo such pirates
know best"
Moreover, as did not molest him
on the night we crossed the line, he
has no particular grudge at me-" l
urged.
There is some sense and truth in
that" muttered several of the crew.
I'll go-it Is settled" said I, anxious
to solve the mystery of the groans.
while feeling n glow Of triumph at the
applause I should gain for the risk
ran. which assuredly was not a small
one.
1T is a shame for us lubberly fell
lows to stand by here and see that lad
risk his life." said Probart. one of the
crew; land II SO be that creole plea
room falls foul OF him"
III 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 l
never see England again II we don't
attack him at stem and stern at once!
I'll drop down the skylight. with as
many us will follow me, while you.
Ned. will dash down the companion
way with the rest, and then at him
with hatchet. handsaw and capstan-
bar. He can't kill us all, shipmates.
that's one comfort-he can't kill US
all!"
The prospect Of an early demise was
neither soothed nor encouraged by this
promise Of the bloody scene that was
to follow.
The carpenter gave me small but
very sharp tomahawk. l concealed It
In my breast, and resolved to use 1t to
some purpose II molested in the cabin.
The idea flashed upon me that by one
determined blow l might disable him
forever, and perhaps do an act OF JUS
tice by dispatching him outright.
With a vague sense that was about
to face n terrible danger. and that the
sooner 1t was faced and past. the bet
ter. walked hastily aft. and on de-
scending the companionladder. paused
when halfway down, and after knock
ing on the bulkhead called out distinct
ly and boldly
Antonio! Halo. Cubano!"
"Wcll. what do you want?" asked he.
sull.ily.
ITO speak with you; may come
down."
Enter. comparnro: You have not yet
har rmed me. thus I bear you no malice"
Putting hand In my breast to ascer-
tain that my little hatchct was secure.
I entered the cabin. where the Gu
bano. with his broad back placed
against the ruddercase. was seated on
the stern-locker at the table. which he
had covered with bottles, biscuits.
cheese and polonies while papers.
dockets, broken desks. and boxes lay
scattered about him. He was clad, as
I have stated. in the poor shippers best
shore-going suit Of clothes, which he
wore open and loose. for the atmos-
phere OF the cabin, notwithstanding
the shattered skylight, was oppressive
" hot, as the sun was now almost YER
tical; the flies were in noisy swarms,
and the cockroaches were crawling
over the beams and bulkhead panels.
On first hearing foot on the compan-
ion-ladder, he had evidently snatched
up a revolver, and cooked It: but on
finding that his visitor was only me. he
put 1t down, threw away the fag-end
of n cigarito. and said. with a ferocious
grin and ironical politeness-
"Buenos dias "a good day.. senior; TO
what am indebted fo- this visit?"
1t was the first time 1 had ever
looked in the face Of n man who had
coolly destroyed fellow-being as he
had done, and my flesh seemed to creep |
with an indescribable loathing: but
had purpose to achieve. and deter
mined to do 1t.
I was about to enter Weston's state |
room. when the Cubano cooked his re-
volver and cried, In a voice OF thun-
der
Come back. or will shoot you MS |
dead as he Is! Ha, ha! por grades"
(by degrees) II shall get rid Of you
ALL"
paused and looked at him: my |
young heart beat wildly; felt that I
was facing death, and what would !
not have given had my hatchet been
pistol, even with one barrel. though my
opponent was master of twelve charges.
"He is dead. them" said in husky
voice.
"who-which?" asked the Cubano.
with a fresh cigarito between his
strong white teeth.
"Captnin Weston"