The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-07-06
TIE THREE
PRIVATEERS,
[COntinued from PAGE H.


ing Spray, they were each presented
with a cigar, hand glass and big
string of colored glass beads. Heaps
of bright colored muslins and prints
were shown them, and they were told,
that these and many other beautiful
objects were to be theirs. The chief
then asked Antonio what he should
give in return. Antonio, in con-
fdential way, told him that nothing
would be so acceptable as rubber, for
the white men would value it very
highly as coming from the chief of a
great people. He further added, that
enough rubber be supplied to occupy
the space filled by the great cases of
goods in the hold, as unless the ship
was kept full, it would not be easy to
sail her back to the land of the rising
sun. The chief said he did not have so
much rubber, but that after many days
he would be able to furnish the amount
needed. After Antonio had instructed
the savages in the use of the cigar and
more presents were given, the chief and
his followers were dismissed, Antonio
telling them that the ship would now
sail away, but would return again,
when the people had collected the
needed amount of rubber.
Anchor was now weighed and the
vessel continued on her way up the
Jurua. The rubber tree here predomi-
mated among the trees of the forest. 1t
was often found in small groves, some
of the trees being 60 feet high and 2
feet in diameter. Four other large viii
lagos were visited and much the same
program followed, as in the first in
stance.
After leaving the last of these viii
lagos, the vessel proceeded up river
some 25 miles, and there anchored in
mid-stream. Exploring expeditions
were now mapped out. Jim wished to
make more thorough study OF the
fora and add to his specimens. Bill
said he would study the fauna, with the
aid of his Winchester, at long range, and
at the same time act as guard to the
party. Bob wanted to secure data
looking to the sucuring of a big rubber
concession from the Brazilian govern
ment. With these several objects in
view and Antonio as guide, the party
began excursions into the forests that
stretched away for thousands of miles
from either bank of the river. Three
weeks were thus profitably spent. A
week longer would have been given to
this occupation, but for an incident
that almost ended disastrously, and
which brought the exploring expe-
ditions to an abrupt end. On this day
of the last trip into the jungle, Jim had
strayed down through dense patch of
ferns, that was shaded by lowsgrow
ing species of forest tree, thickly hung
with great vines. A genuine Comanche
war whoop from Jim brought the
others of the party upon the scene, just
as big boa constructor was arranging
his coils Tor the hnal squeeze that
would have ended Jim. But Bills rifle
cracked and two machets in the hands
of Bob and Antonio put an end to the
big snake and released Jim. He was
severely injured and remained uncOn-
scious for some time after he. was car
ried on board the vessel. When hes did
to realize what had reallyahappened to
him, he pulled out of his pocket the
keyes to the whisky locker--and.passed
them over to Bob, saying as he.did so,
that Monongahela Rye. was1much too
strong stimulent, in his case.
ICONOCLAST.
ITO be concluded next week.