Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-25
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TEXAS
CRUISER
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my suspicious. but l must examine you
to see if you have any concealed weapons.
Senor-you first; stand, if you please"
This was spoken TO Clarence. who
arose at once. The captain passed his
dingy hands over his pockets and bosom,
and the first thing of importance he no
ticed was Clarence's watch, which he
pulled out. 1t was a gold-cased chro-
nometer
do you call that weapon?' our hero
asked, unable to repress the smile which
the fellows cupidity called up.
Rather dangerous, the Mexican re-
sponded, with a very suggestive wink.
This must be a valuable one"
II paid two hundred and twenty-five
dollars for it, senior"
1T is valuable
(Which is equivalent to daageious,
suppose"
Certainly; for there is hardly man in
my crew who would not cut your throat
before morning to procure it.
Clarence did not doubt this at all. But
his neither lip quivered a little when the
villain run his dirty hand down into his
pocket and drew up his purse, though he
said nothing.
''Aha-gold here, too" the captain Ut
tered. as the yellow coin cleaned upon
his sparkling eyes. I'll keep it for you
until you get out of the Vera Cruz pris-
on"
Having thus gathered all the "weap-
ons" from Towards person, he turned
next to Max
~Ye won't find much here" the old
man said
Perhaps not" returned the Mexican,
at the same time drawing a heavy silver
watch from his fob. This is something,
however,
He found large clasp-knife, also, upon
Max, and then he turned TO the next. And
in this way he went round. He found
no more watches and but little more
money, Peter being the only other one
who had enough worth taking.
And now I'll bid you goodnight" the
collector said, as he stepped into the
waist of the boat. If it should happen
to rain We'll draw the tarpaulin over
you"
Clarence watched the move of things
very carefully, and also kept his ears
well open. The captain, whose name
the prisoners had found to be Migdon,
called his men together and set them off
into new watches, and having given them
particular. directions respecting the in
habitants of the long boat, he directed
them to assist him in burying the dead
They did not stop to sew them up in any
kind of windingsheets, but simply lash
ing a double-headed shot to the feet Of
each body, they were cast over without
ceremony of any sort.
"They might have read prayer" sug-
gested Max, turning in disgust from the
scene.
Poor wretches," returned Clarence, 81
doubt if they ever heard one. Could
some transmigrating power change them
into bears, and take away their simple
organs Of speech, l don't believe their
present souls would be much above their
stations. Did you notice them? If they'd
found our vessel with nothing of value on
board, they'd have cut our throats with
all the pleasure imaginable"
'Sartin they would" said Max.
By ten o'clock some of the prisoners
were asleep, and by midnight even old
Max had given up to the somnific infia-
ence of drowsiness and fatigue. On the
following morning they were freed from
their irons. one at time. and allowed ten
minutes liberty, and after their break
fast was brought to them, large pan of
black tortillas-a kind of corn cake-be-
ing set down in their midst, with a pail
of water, and a dipper formed of half a
cocoanut shell with long wooden handle
60 it. The prisoners were hungry, and
the pan was quickly cleared, there having
been two cakes allowed for each man.
This same thing was done again at
noon, and again at night. But there was
one thing occurred that had not been
counted on. Just as the sun went down
the wind came out from the east'rd and
blew fresh. Migdon came and examined
the prisoners, naturally casting his eyes
about the boat to see that all else was
right, and as he stepped down he was
heard to say to one of his men:
"All safe enough. BY the cross, they
can't get out of thatp'
Perhaps we can't" whispered Clar-
ence, at the same time giving Max poke
with his elbow. But I'll tell you what"
he added some time afterwards, If this
wind holds so, we've got to do something
tonight, for we're running off ten knots
now, sure anu on tue true course. TOO.
Keep your eyes open, my men, for our
chance may come soon. Don't you see
the sentry has left us and gone aft. They
place the fullest confidence in their irons.
Winter-as sure as fate, if this wind
holds, we sha'n't spend the whole OF an
other night at sea-"
Il believe We, capt'n."
Then look ye-'sh. Get out your files
when l give the signal, and be sure that
You make no noise. Each man must
work upon his companions irons, for he
cannot work upon his own. Don't sleep,
now-only be ready to pretend it if any
body comes. Let the man next to We get
your file out for you. Now keep your
eyes open. We won't wait long"
So there they sat all ready for COM
mencing the work that was to set them
free-if fortune deserted them not. 1t is
no wonder that their hearts beat rapidly,
for surely the stoutest man may find ex-
element under such circumstances