Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-01

rected with the ship. Another line fol.
lowed, and two. sailors dropped into
the chains to handle it. lurriedly
explained to Dona Carmen what the
design was and secured her in the
loop of it. We had only to wait for
a favorable moment and the men safe.
ly drew her up. Mr.. lynn. Capt. Sell
linger and Mae vrach followed. and
made bundle Of our effects and came
last. 1t was with feeling of pro-
found relief and thankfulness that
finally swung over the bulwark and
dropped upon the deck.
There were as many as threescore
people standing about. Other than
the sailors there were six or eight men
and as many women that were very
we'll dressed, and nearly all that were
talking seemed to be employing good
Castilian. Not many were of the
swarthy type of Spaniard.
AS jumped off the rail the captain
shouted to his first officer to fill away.
and then turning to me asked in
brusque but not harsh tone what it
was that had happened to US. and
what we were doing in these parts.
"Those questions and others l will
gladly answer" l said, touching my
hat, but first beg that you will care
for this lady, who is notalone fatigued
but stands otherwise in need of your
hospitality" ..... 49,.
He looked at me, as though not eH-
pecting such precise and perhaps
well-chosen answer, but after a mo-.
ment answered civilly:
VERY we'll, senior. that is not unrea-
sonable. will see what may be done"
He turned to the ring of eager and
curious women aud said, with rough
sort of salute:
You have heard the senior. ladies.
Are there those among you who will
take the senorita and care for her?'
Isl, ST." cried a dozen generous voices
together.
With which they pressed forward
and with southern warm-heartedness
flung their arms about Dona Carmen.
and almost carried her away.
And now. senior, we will overhaul
you Bit" resumed the captain. but
first, as to your boat. Is she worth
preserving? If she is no better than
she looks, l care not to tow her very
far"
First bear with me till have asked
a question" answered. "Whither are
you bound?"
For Panama." ie replied, trifie
impatiently.
ALAS, senor," said, sadly, you will
scarce so there; Panama is in the
hands of the buccaneers"
"Diablo! what say ysu?" he cried,
starting. I'm the hands. of the buc.
caneers-of the English pirates? Nay,
it cannot be! Madre de Dios!"
Those standing about caught the
words and great stir followed. Sew
eraI pressed forward, and without
further regarding the captain began
to ask eager questions, and some flu
rously swore. In the midst of the
hubbub stout, sturdy, gray-hoirec
man. with fresh complexion and very
we'll dressed, pushed his way to the
front.
"Are you English" he said in blunt
authoritative fashion. 10 my surprise
he spoke in that language.
81 am" hastily answered. "Thanl
God that you seem to be, also!"
"And this thing that you were tell
ing?" he went on, ignoring my ex
clamation. sis it true that Panama
is in the hands of the buccaneers"
''Tt is, sir" I said, most restrainedly
"The city is taken and sacked"
He drew a long breath.
"You are little like to know the mat
ter I would ask" he resumed. "but
will put the question. Did you hear
any mention Of one Dona Carmen Con
zales? She lived in Taboga."
My amaze at this question may be
imagined.
AS soon as I could put my tongue
to the words cried:
Heard? Why, sir, she is at this
~ery moment in your cabin! Indeed
and I do believe you must be Mr.. Jere
miah Hope"
I'm the cabin?" he only exclaimed
as in wonderment. "And is your com
panion who went below she? Nay, but
this almost passes belief! What. that
poor tattered creature, and in mans
attire! My God, what must she not
have suffered"
"Yet she is well, sir" said, eagerly
"and has come out of that hell without
seattle. But you must, indeed, be he'
uncle"
81 am Jeremiah Hope" he said
with another long breath. though now
with a changed air. 81 will go down
at once" he went on. "But stay, an
exceeding grateful to you and your
companions. I will say more of thi.
anon. am the owner of this ship. and
am glad that it is in my power to do
something for your present comfort
Capt. Telatrava," he went on in Span
ish, and speaking again authoritative
ly, 81 desire that you have these
senores below and do all that may be
done for their welfare. Shortly will
return and we will confer about the
course of the ship"
He gave US kindly nod and made
for the compa MON. and in much won
derment and not little jumbled in
my thoughts turned and prepared to
follow the Spanish captain.
fro BE Continued