Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-02-15

near him. and not to make any NJ,
tempts to escape. Indeed. there was
no possibility OF escape. Rob might.
II he felt so inclined. jump overheard.
but they were far out NJ sea, and Ia
commit SO foolhardy an act was sin.
ply to leap to his death. So Rob bid
ed his time. took things as easily as
he could. and waited Till the schooner
should have returned to Argentina to
try and reach his uncle.
In truth. Rob's condition on board
the BLACK Cat" after that one burst
| Of passion from Torrevo. was not hard.
The captain eSacted no arduous tasks
from him. lie was well fed. and had
he been there willingly he would have
found much to enjoy In the novel stu
alton.
The swarthy crew treated him with
friendliness born OF their fear O: Tor
revo. and their respect for Torrevo's
friends.
So. by the time the BLACK Cat
came to her anchorage at an obscure
spot near the wharfage at Rio de ia
neiro. Rob was In a tranquil state OF
| mind.
II was evident that Torrevo had
made this trip many times before. He
knew all the ropes. and no sooner hnd
the schooner made anchor than he was
ranging for fresh cargo to be carried
to the cave on La Plata
On shipboard Torrevo drank CO.
piously. but was never under the iniiu-
ence OF the liquor he drank. But Rob
found that when free from the neccs-
sity OF maintaining discipline among
his crew he gave free license to his
appetite. Thus II happened that when
| the fresh cargo was ready to come
aboard. Capt Torrcvo was hopelcssly
and mnudlin drunk. He staggered to
where Rob stood on deck. carrying u
blank paper In his hand.
See here. boy" he said. striving to
maintain his equilibrium and speaking
thickly. II can't do this. Old Elv!n
demands u full tally. He's no fool.
Eivin. See. his people here are not TO
be trusted. And he don't trust me
You'll have to do this"
What is there TO do. capta!nF"
arkcd Rob. somewhat afraid OF tho
biackcycd drunknrd.
why. you fool! Mark down wha;
comes aboard. See. now7'
"oh. yes. I'll do that You 20 To
bed"
That's n good boy" said Torrcvo.
With implicit confidence In the
young American he went to his cabin.
Rob procured pen and Ink from
the captains room and. taking a con-
vcnicnt position on deck. making n
table OF n square chest. he carefully
jotted down In clear. Arm hand each
article aE IL was brought on board and
lowered into the hold. There were
bales OF tobacco and bales OF silk.
There were casks OF ruin and hundreds
| OF bottles OF wine. There were more
rifles and more ammualtion-cnough
Rob thought. for an army. All these.
In proper order. and with each separate
quantity specified, Rob noted In his
tally.
This took all OF two days. BY tho
time the loadin. was finished Torrcro
had slept on his drunkenness and the
Black Cat" set sail again for the
south.
Rob had done n simple act. but II
was destined to have great influence on
his future. as also upon Torrevo's.
Had Torrcvo foresecn the result OF
that spree he would undoubtedly have
| restrained himself and remained So
Der.
AT last, after three weeks voyaging.
the BLACK Cat" reached her anchorage
in the little bay. One of the crew was
sent ashore by Torrcvo. and Rob
learned that this method was used to
notify Captain Elvin when the Black
| Cat" arrived with n contraband cargo.
In a few hours the tall. ugly English
man reached the place on horseback.
and was followed by the same gang OF
swnrthy laborers Rob had seen before.
Rob was in constant fear lest Lemnel
Starne-or Lemuel Elvin-should also
come and recognize him. But the
younger man never came there unless
on urgent business with his father. and
Rob was safe this time.
ITO be continucd.)