The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-08-03
CHAPTER VII.
tcopyrsh,. rsV, BY J. D upp'neou Co J

mates was apparent, for niaz came to
the captain and broached the subject
OF heading for Santa Rosa. Halstead
demurred a little at frst-said the
change Of course would make him late.
as II was, etc.-but finally admitted
that II would take only a few hours
more. and said that he had no objec-
tions. This was Thursday. 1spent the
afternoon and most of Friday with
Senorita Gracia. liking her better the
more saw OF her. ! was pretty sure
that Halstead had n little the. advan-
tage OF me in her regard, but she never
showed IL while we were together. In
fact, as the time drew near when was
to leave the steamer. she seemed dis
posed. by unmistakable evidences Of
liking for me. TO produce an impress
sion that neither years nor absence
could efrace; and she certainly sue
ceeded. When I said good night at the
door OF her stateroom, Friday evening,
| I wondered a little what the result
would be should throw up the enter
prise and remain on board. But the
captain wns poring over the chart
again when ] reached our quarters,
and one glance at his face was suf'i-
cient to Danish all indecision. On my
part, the affair had been. so far. mere
| ly speculative; there had been no op-
porturity for action. Upls,ead. on the
other hand, was now fully committed.
| II. rnd McPhrrson had taken n def
mite stpp which there was no retrac.
ing-which nigh, cost them their posi-
| tions whether We were successful or
not-and, while he had certainly gone
into the affair with the hope OF better
inc hi, condition. knew that but for
nv prrsis,ence he wouldn't have at.
tempted IL, II. looked nm as came in.
and motioned me TO close the door.
| Six bells had lust struck, and MI the
passengers we're below. so we were not
| likely 10 be disturbed. He asked me
where I had seen the padre las.
"In the saloon. drinking rum and wa
ter. why?"
"You haven't noticed him around the
after deck this evening. have you?"
"No. not once"
"I'ye had pntent log ppwinp nstern
since eight bells. and I'm in hopes that
no one has seen IL. Here's where we
were nj noon" ipoin,ing TO n penciled
cross on the chart). "nnd we've been
| runp,pv twely. knots ever since. Now
Findlay fixes the Santa Rosa nj
about twely.-,hirty moth. by n hun
dred and forty four. fifteen cas-. And
| Il IL mid down here n mile or two each
| side OF that. The wind has been 50
liph, that We won't have to figure much
ON l.cway. and wc'y. held her right on
| the poin, of cas-, quarter moth. oil
dsy; 20 that she ought to make the
| shoal some tim. I'm the morning watch
say. six bells. or before. Diaz figured
this afternoon. that his watch would B.,
on deck bcfor, ~. struck the position
and told the padre II would be around
breakfast time. ~ no one sees tba,
log. he isn't likely to change his mind
| Now. II by any lucky chance We do find
Bottom there. I'll want yonr assist.
snce; and yor'lI bn,r TO keen your wits
about you. Watch NV actions closely
When ! order the 1uartermas,er "a
lKtr~r for Guajan, go below n quickly
ms YOU can and make YOUR way aft, on
| the lower deck, TO cable lockers AT the
stern. Take the new log. I'm this box
here. and nav Il out through the bitt
mort. say about 30 fathom, being
mighty careful yau don't foul the
screw with II. You'll find II cross.
brace of angle iron, down there. tha,
Mac fixed athwart the ,.ort To fnsten
the register on. lisa taiYrail Iog--not
| iIk. IN on. I've 20, astrrn now; you've
got To haul thai one in to read A.
'Tain't likely that anyoneli notice the
line, but you'll have to haul Il In when
we get abreast OF Cocos reef, SOS the
men won't notice II when they 20 he.
low to clear away the cable at Aprn .
Before turning in. he took the log
from its box and showed me exactly
how IL worked. making me repeat the
instructions until he felt sure I
wouldn't botch the experiment. In fact
my mind was 80 full OF Il all that
slept badly. and dressed before sun.
rise. Halstead was as anxious as my.
self, but he had his nerves under per.
feet control and reserved his energies
until they were needed. Diaz. though
confident we would not reach the reel
before breakfast, had turned out a,
five bells and was searching the hori
ron with his glass, on the bridge
Moreno taking an occasional sauin,
also. At about half past six the cap
tain sang out To him:
Guess you'd better let On. of IN,
auartermasters yet the lead r.adv
Moreno"
"si, senor. DO you think we are n.a,
the posicion ?"
"yery close 10 Il. now. Mr. y.pb.r