Evening star., 1900-04-07


sea-
But somehow this seemed too remote
consummation to afford US any real com
fort; bur it was WINS way and l did not
contradict him. Then sent for Eborra
privately. to seek his counsel, who, when he
heard that Saul Mark knew Cor said he
knew of the hiding place OF Morgans
treasure, was very grave and silent for
a while.
Il will go and consult my mother" he
said. and so left us quickly. 1t was Wen
nigh an hour before he returned, looking
much downcast and disconnected.
1T is true he said he knows. Some
strong Obeah has spoken to him. But not
so strong as my mothers We shall con-
quer yet, but it will be hard And We must
wait. If you go to seek the treasure Eborra
will go also
Perhaps they will not permit you," 1
said.
Yes. yes, they will allow" said Eborra
l alone can keep the black men quiet. 1
alone know the woods. Perhaps Saul may
kill me after but first he will let me 60
l need not recount the anxious days, the
hot and sIesp.ess nights spent, VIII and
l. while the san Esteban was being fitted
up ard the expedition for the Isle of the
Winds prepared. We soon found that Don
Nicholas also had been drawn into the
venture. 1t had been suggested to him that
the annexation of new island to his mas
ter's GOminiors and the destruction of a
nest of pirates and buccaneers which had
long been given to capturing Spanish treas
ure ships would bring him vast credit in
old Spain. And besides. was there not
great treasure to be gained, rot only from
the boards of S-r Henry Morgan, which
| Saul Mark had promised to disclose, but
also from those more immediate and acces
| sihe ones amasssd by Capt. Key and his
| men?
,, For long we could not understand what
it was the expe iition was kept waiting for.
Everything seemed ready. The arms and
powder Were on board, all the bacon and
dr!ed food were on board. cattle Were in
readiness to be slaughtered upon the eve
OF eInbar rkation: yet still We waited. Ii was
Anna. as usual. who brought US the word
that we We're delaying in order to allow the
new 1evies to be landed out of the great
galleon now on her way from Carthagena
to Port of Spain.
One morning. however, as We looked out
of the weaving shed we could see her
masts and precpitous sides looming
solemnly up the bay like some huge sea
monster. and the same evening the soldiers
We're ashore. a goodly band cf stout fellows
enough with the country bloom yet red on
their cheeks. For they came mostly from
the northern provinces, which have from
the first reared the best fighting stock of
Spain, l know not what suspicion had sud-
denly taken possession of our captrrs, but
on the same day that the ship for Port of
Spain landed her first boatload of soldiers
detail of men came to the weaving shed
and put both in irons again, or rather
tethered us up like dogs kennels
mouth. For they fastened the same iron
belts as at first about our waists, and to
the ring they welded a swiveled chain be-
hind by means of Pompey Smith and his
travelling forge. But instead of sending us
to the gang they bored hole in the stout
wood Of the shed about the middle of the
northern side, then thrust the chain
through and made it fast to a great stake
of wood driven into the ground the out
side. 1t was lin other circumstances
most laughable predicament that We We're
in.
For we were thus able to do our work,
and even to meet and converse privately,
having freedom Of motion to the extent of
our chains, though unable to reach the
fastenings by which We Were tethered.
The negro and half-breed women and
lads who formed working party
laughed broadly at first, but since we had
already been kind to them they grew sorry
IN their hearts TO see US treated thus. Be
sides, We told them that if they did not
obey US when We spoke they would surely
have black men set over them-overseers
who would whip them as they whipped the
chain gang.
In the evening arrived Saul Mark. with
great profession of sympathy to assure us
that this was wholly the commentaries
doing, but that ii would not be for long
All was being done that could be done, and
the good will of the abbot and the grand in
quisitor We're being used on our behalf.
But what can such young sparks ex-
pect?' he said, with a cunning leer II am
advised that your favor has been altogether
tco high with the Lady Juanta. An, sly
dogS-sly Dogs.
But we held our peace, save to say that
We had done nothing to deserve chains,
and that We hoped that they would soon be
removed
As of course We could not sleep in our
hamnocks in the inner room. some of the
kinder Of our Workfolk brought US woven
mats of palm fiber ON which slept not
50 ILL., having pulled out waist rings round,
as they showed US. till the chain and its at
tachment was in front So we made shift
to get some sleep. lying wholly our
backs, which any hard bed is the only
position of comfort.
In this dolorous manner we lived at the
weaving house of Porto Rico till the sailing
of the Port of Spain galleOn, that is, the bet
ter part of a week The new soldiers not
yet accust onsd to the routine of small
cc-onies came and jeered at us to pass the
time. After year or two in these climates
tney would be content enough to do nothing
when they came off duty.
AT last the day of the embarkation ar
rived. The San Esteban was loaded deep
with stores and men. Not much provision
was taken, for with a favorable wind the
distance was no great matter. Yet there
was ever thought in my heart 1 WON
dered how, with this one ship, loaded down
with soldiers as she was Saul and his
Spanlards could hope to force the perilous
passage of the reefs to the anchorage of the
Isle of the Winds. But / might have been
advised that Saul Mark would certainly
nave plan clear in his head before setting
out.
Not till we were being taken on board
were our chains taken off. AS soon as l
got out of the weaving shed looked every
way for Anna, but saw no sign of her /
felt somewhat sore-hearted thus to part
without any word of farewell from her But
there was no help for 1t. We were speedily
transported on board and found places as
best We could behind the bulwarks on the
main deck. The anchor came I'D with a
rattle and cheer. the sails filed and we
were on. L sat watching the long battle
r1ents OF the Castle of Porto Rico, but saw
no sign of my sweetheart. Not kerchief
waved along the whole dull front of ma
sonry, which made my heart yet sicker and
sadder than ever before.
But ! had not time to think heavy
thoughts long, for the drums beat to quar-
ters, and Don Nicholas and Saul Mark with
the grand fnquisitor standing near them,
appointed all of US stations in case of
any attack.
The guns were stripped, run out, and
cleaned. Then came a bout of practice at
the Isolated sea rocks as we sailed past
them. There was a cry for the powder
monkeys. The matches were lifted and the
first on deck with a bucket on her head
was-little Anna Mark, looking more like a
winsome boy thar ever in her high-kilted
indian dress, the leathern fringes blowing
back In the light winds, and flush of de.
nance on her lips as she gravely turned to
safute her father and Don Nicholas
|