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

looking toward the sea for light and air.
1t was very hot, and moreover destitute
Of all those little convenienoss which add
so much to ope's happiness in modern
h!.ouses and hotels. In fact. II consisted Of
four bare walls and q stone door, and that
was all.
Philip, who wished to mako some in.
quiries relative to Anime, addressed, In
Portuguese, the soldier who brought them
down.
"My good friend, beg your PARDON
IT 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 q pause in hif
walk. ut is very fortunate that" Qower.
ing his voice. I'VE have all our doubloona
about Us; if they don't search US, We may
get away by bribing."
And I was thinking, /" rejoined Philip,
"that would sooner be here than in com.
pany with that wretch Sohriften, whoss
eight is poison to mo"
81 did not much admire the appearances
Of the oommandant; but I suppose VI
shall know more tomorrow"
Here they were interrupted by the turn.
ing Of the key, and the entrance Of . sol.
der with . ohatty Of water, and a large
dish Of boiled rice. He was not the man
who had brought them to the dungeon,
and Philip acoosted him.
"You have had hard work within these
last two dAysr
Eyes, indeed, signorl"
"The natives forced US to Join the sxps.
dition, and we escaped
$50 heard you sey, signor."
"They lost nearly 1000 men," said
Krantz.
Holy St. Francis! I am glad Of it,"
"They will be careful how they ATTACK
Portuguese in hurry, expect, "rsjoined
Krantz.
II think So" replied the soldier.
did you lose many men2" ventured
Philip, perceiving that the man was 10.
quacious.
"Not ton Of our own people. In the fac
tory there were about 100 of the natives,
with some women and children; but that
10 OF no consequence.
"You had young European woman
here, I understand" said Philip, with
anxiety; Zone who was wrecked in a YES
sel-was she among those who were lost2''
"Young woman-holy ST. Francis
Yes, now recolleot. Why, the fact is
"Pedrop 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"
cried 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; "bus
what can be doneP The hours must pass,
though suspense draws them out into in
tsrminable years; but hear footsteps. -
Again the door was unlocked, and the
first soldier made his appearance. "Fol.
1h0-UA0
with you"
This unexpected summons was cheer.
fully complied with by Philip and his COM
panion. They walked up tho narrow stone
steps, and at last found themselves In q
small room, in presence Of the comman.
dant, with whom our readers have been al.
ready made acquainted. He was lollina
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 dressesi" wal
tho first interrogatory
"The natives, when they brought us
prisoners from the island Oh which we had
saved ourselves, took away our clothes
and gave US these as present from theil
king"
And engaged you to serve in thsil
deet in the attack on this forte"
"They forced us, replied Krantz; so,
az there was no war between our nations
We objected to this service; notwithstand
ing which, they put US on board, to max,
the common people believe that they wsr,
assisted by Europeans.
"How am to know the truth of thisY
"You have our word in the first place
and our escape from them In the second ;
"You belonged to Dutch East India
man. Are you officers or common sea
men2"
Krantz, who considered that they wer
less likely to be detained II they concealed
their rank on board, gave Philip a sligh
touch with his finger as he replied: "w
are inferior officers. was third mate
and this man was pilot"
And your captain, where is hep"
81 cannot say whether he is alive O
dead"
Had you no women on board9"
eyes; 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 commandant, VIII,
remained silent for some time.
Philip looked at Krantz as much as t,
say, why all this subterfuge3" bu
Krantz gave him sign to leave him t.
speak.
"You say you don't know whether you
captain is alive or deadY'
II do"
"Now, suppose was to give you you
liberty, would you have any objection t
sign paper, stating his death, and swear
ing to the truth of it9"
Philip stared at the oemmandant, an,
then at Krantz.
II see no objection, exactly, except thu
II 1t were sent home to Holland we nigh
get into trouble. May ask, signor Com