The Mena star., 1899-07-06
C0PyTight. ls97. by J. B Lipplncott Col

on the southeast coast. This was land-locked bay, surrounded by bold, rocky bluffs, and was uninhabited. In an air line, it was 0Hs miles south of Agana; but, as the islanders never walked or rode that distance when they could travel in proas, there was but one chance in a thousand of any boats being seen beating in-especial- ly as the place had the unsavory repu- tation of being haunted. On the land side there had been an old sugar plan tation known as Mount Tarofofo farm, but the gobernador had mentioned it ss being abandoned; and the noun tain. or bluff, shut out al! view of the sea.
 The more I thought of it. the more 1t seemed exactly the place wanted It needed but the falling off a few points to head for the Cocos island in- stead of Agana, and by half-past six passed it as close in shore as it was safe to go. By seven o'clock had reached sufficiently to the east'ard for a straight run into Tarofofo, and, go- ing about, rounded Point Paicpouc just at dusk. As the depth of the wa ter and the exact bearing of the bluffs were accurately shown upon my chart, 1 had no difficulty in running ashore at the westerly head of Paicpouc cove, which l judged t be completely shel- tered from observ" ton on the land side. After loweriIv the sail, I noticed ho T 4l.-s the water It the spot had selected, and was on ',e point of running along to where the chart showed small creek. when a sight opening attracted my attention. The precipice was so close that could have tossed a pebble against it, and the spot so perfectly sheltered that felt safe in using my lantern. Outlines were becoming in- distinct in the gathering darkness, but she moment l turned on the currentit revealed a Assure. about four feet wide, which led diagonally into the face of the rock. There was a good three feet of water right up to the opening. and upon throwing the ligh. inside could see that it ended in a cul de sac with perpendicular walls.
 If I had searched the entire archi- pclago it would have been difficult to fire a place more perfectly suited to my requirements, when I came again, in broad daylight, the Assure was in- visible 100 feet away. Ii was something of a task to unload the contents of the big chest, but in a short time had them slowed away under tarpaulin, 60 feet from the opening. and was ready to leave the cove. The moon was not yet up, but the starlight was suffi- cient to navigate by, and l reached Agana by II o'clock As the big proa had seen was of too heavy draught 10 run across the shoal in front of the town. I was not surprised at her abs sence. The lights about the goberna- dor's quarters were sufficient indica- ton that visitors had arrived, and managed to sneak up the back steps to my room without al tractihg atten- tion It was we'll that did so. for my face was sight. Little rivulets of cotted blood covered the lobes of my ears and my upper lip; my eyes looked like burnt holes in a blanket; and, all together, 1 presented a most dissipated appearance.
 Padre Sebastiano was cordiality itself, but 1 could see that lay brother Felipe's miracle was working in his mind, and that he was trying 10 figure 1t out upon natural grounds. was upon the point of asking him how he happened to find the big proa so con- veniently forthcoming when he de- cided to proceed down the islands, but reflected in time that, if l had been fishing to the east 'ard. as I had ex- plained, it would have been obviously impossible to see his flagship; so pumped him dry upon Ladrone data instead.
 The Agana padres regarded his visit as complimentary in the highest de- gree, respectfully swallowing his yarn about collecting materials for island history; but couldn't help chuckling to myself when pictured his examina- tion of Fray Ignacio's mummy and It's precious charge. Sebastiano and l were adversaries; there now seemed but little doubt of this fact. And the more I thought of it the more certain felt that my motions were likely to be watched during every hour of the xa. Every time went sailing alone, there was a strong probability that the big proa would keep me we'll in sight. Max ino me the eats paw to secure his ohestnuts would comfort Sebastianob