Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-01-29
CHAPTER XVIII.

IliAt eiero dIe uo very comfortable ones.
Certainly that to which Philip and Krantz
were ushered had anything rather than
the air of an agreeable residence 1t was
under the fort, with very small aperture
looking toward the sea for light and air.
It was very hot, and moreover destitute
Of all those little convenienoss which add
so much to ones happiness in modern
houses and hotels. In fact. II consisted o!
four bare walls and o stone door, and that
was all.
Philip, who wished to make some in.
quiries rslstive to Anime, addressed, in
Portuguese, the soldier who brought them
down.
my good friend, I beg your PARDON
81 beg yours, replied the soldier, going
out of the door, and looking them in.
Philip leaned gloomily against the wall;
Krantz, more mercurial, walked up and
down three steps each way and turned.
"Do you know what I am thinking Off
observed Krantz, after pause in his
walk. ut is very fortunate that" (lower.
ing his voice. i've have all our doubloona
about US; if thsy don't search VI, We may
get away by bribing."
"And was thinking, (" rejoined Philip,
"that I would sooner be here than in COM
pany with that wretch sohriften, Whose
sight is poison to mo.
II did not much admire the appearance
of the oommandant; but I suppose We
shall know more tomorrow.
Here they were interrupted by the turn.
ing Of the key, and the entrance Of sol.
der with q chatty of water, and a large
dish Of boiled rice. He was not the man
who had brought them to the dungeon,
and Philip aooostsd him.
"You have had hard work within these
last two days"
Eyes, indeed, dgnorl"
"The natives forced US to Join the sxps.
dition, and We escaped"
$50 heard you say, signor."
"They lost nearly 1000 men," said
Krantz.
"Holy St. Frnnoisl am glad of IT,"
"They will be careful how they attack
Portuguese in hurry, I expect, !" rsjoined
Krantz.
II think So" replied the soldier.
"Did you lose many men2" ventured
Philip, perceiving that the man was To-
quaoious.
Not ton Of our own people, In the fac
tory there were about 100 Of the natives,
with some women and children; but that
Is Of no consequence.
"You had young European woman
here, understand said Philip, with
anxiety; Zone who was wrecked in q YES
sel-was she among those who wore lostY"
young woinan-holy ST. Franoisl
Yes, now recollect Why, the fact is"
"Pedro" called voice from above; the
man stopped, put his fingers to his lips,
went out, and looked the door.
"God of heavenl give me patience, -
Dried Philip; "but this is too trying"
He will be down here again tomorrow
morning" observed Krantz.
eyes; tomorrow morning; but what an
endless time will suspense mako Of the in.
tervening hours!'
II feel for you" replied Krantz; "but
what can be doneP The hours must pass,
though suspense draws them out into in
terminable years; but hear footsteps"
Again the door was unlocked, and the
first soldier made his appearance. Fol
low me-the oommandant would speak
with you
This unexpected summons was cheer
fully complied with by Philip and his oom-
panion. They walked up the narrow stone
steps, and at last found themselves in
small room, in presence Of the comman-
dant, with whom our readers have been al
ready made acquainted. He was lolling
on small sofa, his long sword lay on the
table before him, and two young native
women were tanning him, one at his head,
and the other his feet.
where did you get those dressss," was
the first interrogatory.
The natives, when they brought us
prisoners from the island on which we had
saved ourselves, took away our clothes,
and gave US these as present from thei.
king"
And engaged you to serve in THEN
feet In the attack on this forts"
They forced us, !" replied Krantz; $50,
AZ there was no war between our nations,
We objected to this service; notwithstand-
ing which, they put us on board, to make
the common people believe that they were
assisted by Europeans"
How am to know the truth Of thisy
You have our word in the first plaoe,
and our escape from them In the second.
"You belonged to Dutch East India
man. Are you officers or common sea.
menf"
Krantz, who considered that they were
less likely to be detained IL they concealed
their rank on board, gave Philip slight
touch with his finger as he replied: 1--WE
are inferior officers. was third mate,
and this man was pilot"
And your captain, where is hes"
Il cannot say whether he is alive or
dead"
Had you no women on boarde"
Yes; the captain had his wife"
What hos become of herr,
She is supposed to have persisted on
portion of the raft which broke adrift."
Hal" replied the commandment, who
remained silent for some time.
Philip looked ut Krantz as much as to
say, why all this subterfugeP" but
krantz gave him sign to leave him to
speak.
You say you don't know whether your
captain is alive or deads"
IT do"
Now, suppose was to give you your
liberty, would you have any objection to
sign paper, stating his death, and swear.
Ing to the truth of it2"
Philip stared at the oemmandant, and
then at Krantz.