The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-04-15

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-
~ 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 IL
m being abandoned; and the noun
tain. or bluff. shut out all view of the
sea.
The more ! thought Of IL. the more
1t seemed exactly the place wanted.
Ii needed but the falling Oft few
points TO head for the Cocos island in
stead of Agana. and by half-past six i
passed IL as close in shore as IL was
safe to go. BY seven o'clock had
reached sufficiently to the BASTARD 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.
had no difficulty in running ashore
at the westerly head of Paicpouc cove,
which | judged to be completely shell
tered from observation on the land
sido. After lowering the sail. noticed
that the rocks descended abruptly into
the water at the spot / had selected.
and was on the point of running along
TO where the chart showed small
creek. when a slight opening attracted
my attention. The preciplce was so
close that could have tossed pebble
against II, and the spot so perfectly
sheltered that felt safe in using my
lantern. Outlines were becoming in
distinct In the gathering darkness. but
the moment turned on the current II
revealed n assure, about four feet
wide, which led diagonally into the
face OF the rock. There was a good
three feet of water right up 10 the
opening. and upon throwing the light
inside could see that II ended In a cul
de sac with perpendicular walls.
III had searched the entire archl-
pelago ii would have been difficult TO
find a place more perfectly suited 10
my requirements; when | came again,
in broad daylight, the assure was in
visible 100 feet away. 1t was something
OF task 20 unload the contents OF the
big chest, but in short time | had
them slowed away under tarpaulin,
GO feet from the opening. and was
ready 10 leave the cove. The moon was
not yet up but the starlight was suffi-
cient 10 navigate by, and | reached
Agana by ii o'clock. As the big proa
| had seen was OF too heavy draught
TO run across the shoal In front Of the
town. ! was not surprised at her abb
sence. The lights about the goberna-
doris quarters were sufficient indica-
tion that visitors had arrived, and !
managed 10 sneak up the back steps
to my room without attracting atten-
ton. II was well that / did so, for my
face was sight. Little rivulets of
clotted blood covered the lobes of my
ears and my upper lip; my eyes looked
like burnt holes in blanket; and. al
together, presented a most dissipated
appearance.
Padre Sebastiano was cordiallty
itself, but i could see that lay brother
Felpe's miracle was working in his
mind. and that he was trying to figure
II 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, II | had been
fishing 10 the BASTARD, as | had cx-
planned, il would have been obviously
impossible 10 see his flagship; so !
pumped him dry upon Ladrone data
instead.
The Agana padres regarded his visit
ms complimentary in the highest de-
gree. respectfully swallowing his yarn
about collecting materials for island
history; but couldn't help chuckling
10 myself when pictured his examina-
tion OF Fray lgnaco's mummy and It's
precious charge. Sebastiano and !
were adverSaries; there now seemed
but little doubt OF this fact. And the
more | thought OF II the more certain
felt that my motions were likely 10 be
watched during every hour Of the o.
Every time | went sailing alone. there
was a strong probability that the big
proa would keep me well in sight. Max
ing ne the cats paw 20 secure his
chestnuts would comfort Sebastiano's
very liver