Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-01-16

neaft. lhey nave all interests at stake
in this quarter, and should at once COM
bine to preserve them from violation"
They should indeed, Senior Captain.
The object of this visit is to inform
your excellency that there is now within
the harbor of Havana a vessel of suspi-
cicus character. | myself have been on
board of her, and can say with certainty
that she is no fair trader upon the waters
They call her the Santa Maria.
close observer might have noticed
Slight change in the countenanee of the
Governor, but like fash it passed all
away.
And has the picaroon had the impu-
dence to pull inside of the MoroY'
Your eXcellency might have seen her
before sunset with the banner of old
Spain waving from her spanker-gaff; She
had unbent sails before | left the Spar
row Hawk and by this time has no doubt
moored ship; for by her movements l
should suppose that she was preparing to
make long stay in port"
Now, by San Pedro, he shall make
longer stay than he himself had antici-
pated; if you will excuse me one moment
Senior Captain, | will write an order for
the immediate arrest of her commander
and crew"
Sutherland bowed, and the Governor
scrubbed few sentences, then folded,
sealed and delivered the document to an
officer on guard, with instructions to send
it at once to the person indicated by the
superscription
After this his excellency became ex-
tremely communicative. Various sub
jects were in turn discussed. and the hour
hand of the clock pointed past ten when
Sutherland rose to depart The night
was unusually dark. and a light, drilling
rain rendered the light of the street
lamps dim almost to obscurity. Suther-
land passed hastily to the mole; a crowd
of boats surrounded it on every side, and
1.-THE night was SO obscure that it was
some time before he could ascertain the
precise place that he had appointed for
his gig. AT length, singing her out he
descended the stairs.
Sparrow Hawk
Here you are, SIR responded a gruff
voice; and Sutherland, stepping lightly
in the boat, threw his sword upon the
stern sheets and took his seat.
Shove off" exclaimed he. The oars
fell with common plash, and the gig
commenced dashing through the water.
side. Way enough exclaimed the cox
swain; the oars were tossed and the boat
checked beside the accommodation ladder.
Sutherland seized the man ropes and as
cended to the gangway; but his astonish-
ment may well be imagined when, upon
gaining the deck, he found himself on
board the Sea King.
Drop the boat and hook her on" ex-
~ Il 4
Stop said Sutherland, here is some
mistake"
! mo mistake whatever, sir,'' said the
commander of the bark, coming forward,
and passing to Sutherland the salutation
of the deck.
What mean you, sir?-this is not nv
ship
mo, sir; but you must for a little time
content yourself on board of her.
The eyes of Sutherland flashed fire at
this remark. "No-never-not for one
momenti' exclaimed he and stepping
back a pace. he felt for his sword hilt,
but found that it had been distracted
from the scabbard "Har' muttered he;
'and have my own gigs crew aided in
betraying meT
Captain Sutherland" said the com
llduueE OI the bdTh. IL Is useless 10 dSl-
tate yourself further; my own safety and
the preservation of my ship and crew
obliged me TO practice this deception upon
you. But harm is not intended you and
you are as safe on board here as if you
stood upon the quarter deck of the Spar
row Hawk | was well assured you
would follow me if | attempted to go to
sea; and thov.-h | have every confidence
in the superioril of the Santa Maria as
sailer. still thought it better 70 incur
no hazard; and, therefore. have adopted
the only expedient that can prevent your
ship from getting under way at the same
time"
The manner of the commander of the
bark was respectful and suasive, and a
little reflection restored the calmness that
Sutherland but seldom forgot. You per-
haps are justi6able in the step you have
taken to secure your own safety, all
though at this moment | am ignorant of
what it may be; you prevailed upon my
boats crew to deliver me into your hands,
but for what purpose / know not"
Captain Sutherland, you deceive your
self" replied the stranger; sit was one
Of my boats that brought you alongside,
and your own gig has been at the stern
davits of the Sparrow Hawk longer than
an hour"
This added yet more to Sutherland's
surprise; and now for the first time, he
comprehended the full extent of the STRAIT
agem. The Governors pretended order
for the arrest of the commander of the
Sea King was. he supposed. an intimation
of What had passed between them in con-
versation. and a desire that the Santa
Maria should be put to sea Immediately.
This Sutherland implicitly believed, for
he remembered the Governors eagerness
to detain him until late, and he attribut-
ed this show of extreme courtesy to a
wish on the part of his excellency to gain
time, in order that her commander should
have space and opportunity to mature his
plans.
"And my object in effecting this meas
ure." resumed the commander of the
bark. SIS to detain you on board until
we have cleared this harbor and secured
an offing. The Sparrow Hawk cannon,
am certain, get under way without an
order from Captain Sutherland
How long, then, am | to remain your
prisoners"
But a few hours: there is fine breeze
Blowing now, and | hope before morning
to put miles of blue water between my
ship and the Island of Cuba. When we
have cleared the port. VIII send you on
board of some entering vessel. and if
there should be none without. | will give
you my stern boat. and you can come In
with the sea breeze tomorrow. But. Cap
tain Sutherland. Il IS not my wish to put
you 10 the slightest inconvenience. There
remains a condition. which. If you prom
iSe 10 adhere to. viii libera.A you AZ
once
Name It." said Sutherland
Promise me. upon the honor OF an
American naval officer. that you wiz not
leave The harbOr Of Havana for thirty
six hours. and ! viii at once send you on
board ST the Sparrow Hawk."
Sutherland hesitaied for moment. but
conceising no ether alternative. he "a
pied: | promise; but al the expiration Of
that time | shall set under way. and pro-
ccel in search OF yoa; and whenever
meet yeu apon the ocean. il should he
80 fortunate. remember. shall take