The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-22

ers be risked for It.
volunteered to become the envoy
of the crew.
No no, Master Rodney" said Tat
tOoed Tom; this will never dol What
90 you think we will let you venture
into that murderers den while so
many able-bodied fellows hang
astern?"
But I know his language, which
none of you do"
He speaks the Queens English now
as well as any of us" said Carlton.
and If / had only a pistol or a mus
ket to give me bat one chance for my
life, would have made it speak to
him long ago, in the lingo such pirates
know best"
Moreover, as l did not modest him
on the night we crossed the line, he
has no particular grudge at me-" 1
urged.
There is some sense and truth in
that" muttered several of the crew.
I'll go-it is settled" said I, anxious
to solve the mystery of the groans,
while feeling glow of triumph at the
applause 1 should gain for the risk I
ran, which assuredly was not small
one.
1T is a shame for us lubbeIly fell
lows to stand by here and see that lad
risk his life" said Probart, one of the
crew; land if so be that creole plea
room falls foul of him"
eff he does" exclaimed Tom Lam
bourne through his armly set teeth.
while striking his clenched right hand
on the hard palm Of the left, may l
never see England again if we don't
attack him at stem and stern at oneei
I'll drop down the skylight, with as
many as will follow me, while you,
Ned, will dash down the companion
way with the rest. and then at him
with Ratchet, handsaw and capstan-
bar. He can't kill US all. shipmates,
that's one comfort-he can't kill US
ALL"
The prospect of an early demise was
neither soothed nor encouraged by this
promise of the bloody scene that was
to follow.
The carpenter gave me a small but
very sharp tomahawk. 1 concealed il
in my breast, and resolved to use it to
some purpose if molested in the cabin.
The idea flashed upon me that by one
determined blow l might disable him
forever, and perhaps do an act of JUS
tice by dispatehing him outright.
With a vague sense that was about
to face a terrible danger, and that the
sooner it was faced and past, the bet
ter. walked hastily aft, and on de-
scending the companionladder, paused
when hallway down, and after knock
ing on the bulkhead called out distinct
ly and boldly
Antonio! Halo, Cubano!"
"Well, what do you want?" asked he
sulkily.
ITO speak with you; may come
down."
Enter, companero; you have not ye
harmed me, thus bear you no malice
Putting hand in my breast to ascer
/
I entered the cabin, where the Gu
bano. with his broad back PLACED
against the ruddercase, was seated OF
the stern-locker at the table, which HI
had covered with bottles, biscuits
cheese and polonies while papers
dockets. broken desks, and boxes la!
| scattered about him. He was clad, al
[ have stated, in the poor shippers bes
shore-going suit of clothes. which h,
wore open and loose, for the atmos
phere of the cabin, notwithstanding
the shattered skylight, was oppressive
/ ly hot, as the sun was now almost yer
teal; the flies were in noisy swarms
and the cockroaches were crawling
over the beams and bulkhead panels
On first hearing foot on the compan
ion-ladder, he had evidently snatchet
I'm a revolver, and cooked it; but Oh
finding that his visitor was only me, h
nut il down, threw away the fag-en,
of a cigarito, and said, with ferociou
grin and ironical politeness-
"Buenos dias "a good day.. senior; Il
what am l indebted for this visit?"
1t was the first time had eve
looked in the face OF man who hal
coolly destroyed fellowbeing as h
had done, and my flesh seemed to cree
with an Undesirable losthing; but
had a purpose to achieve. and deter
mined to do it.
was about to enter Weston's state
room, when the Cubano cooked his re
volver and cried. in voice Of thun
der
Come back, or I will shoot you a
dead as he isl Ha, hal por grades
(by degrees) 81 shall get rid of 20
all"
paused and looked at him; m
young heart beat wildly; felt that
was facing death, and what would
not have given had my Ratchet been
pistol, even with one barrel, though m
opponent was master of twelve charges
"He is dead, them" said in husk
voice.
"Who-which?" asked the CubanC
with a fresh cigarito between hi
strong white teeth.
INaofnn -