The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-01-08

nJunceu. --l1uve 5OUT1g Iasr, in yuul
have tough job to get across 40 it is.'
1 Absorbed by the interest OF Willie's
story. we had quite forgotten about
our fishing, and now the rapidly ebb-
ing tide gave us considerable difficulty
in hauling in our net. The catch, how
ever, was good one-seven very fair
fish and one 20 FOUNDER, which, re-
solved, should go as peace offering to
Dame CARAT, the Spaniard's house
keeper.
! There was small CRATE in the cabin
of Willie's boat, and we soon had the
rich, red salmon steaks toasting before
! it.
The scent of the cooking brought an
addition to the party. A gaunt, long
legged, black cat put his nose round
the door and leered at Alec and me
! with such an evil expression that we
involuntarily shrank back, and I, at
least, had uncomfortable recollections
of the stories had heard of witches
1 and of the evil eye. A cat may be a
mere cat and nothing more, but the
other sort-never name them-are much
the same to look at, and had no par
ticular fancy for being hurried away
on broomstick to attend witches
Sabbath
Willie noticed my CONSERVATION and
broke out into roar of laughter
''Ha, ha. Master Topp! Afraid o.
| Nep, see. Come, Nep; there's COM
pliment for you! You've scared the
young gentleman with your pretty smile.
No need to fear him, my lads. If there
ever was any witchery in him, the
salt water has washed it all out by
now. Nep's been half over the world
with me, an you might rub him in
the dark for week without getting a
spark out. q him." :
Nep set up the brine stiffened bristles
on his tail and, arching his back, spat
and swore at me through his jagged
teeth, all because moved my 20
FOUNDER out of his reach, thought it
advisable to rap out piece Of Latin
just by way of precaution. AS child
was taught to do so, and have fol-
lowed the rule with success throughout
life. Nep, however, was nothing more
than he seemed, and in later days we
became shipmates and firm friends,
though it took some time before l be-
came sufficiently accustomed to his &C.
centricities to be able to pass him with
out shudder.
When the steaks were cooked, the
boatswain produced from one of his
lockers little canvas bag of spices
and from another some rough wooden
plates, and while we set to with our
knives Nep did the same with his teeth
growing vigorously to show his salts.
faction, though l had previously taken
the precaution to sign a surreptitious
cross over the share that Willie gave
him. We made hearty meal, and
, Willie, after he had with sailorlike til
diness slowed everything back into its
place, tucked himself comfortable into
: corner of his cabin, took the cat OF
his knee and advised us to follow his
example and enjoy 40 winks to helk
our digestion.
"But you haven't yet told me abou,
my father" objected Alec.
, Your father, young SIR" said Willie
, /, solemnly, sailed once more for the
Spanish main in search O. the goulde1
city O. Manoa, an o. him an O. the
: company O. brave lads as went will
him never a word has been heard t.
, this day."
; Alec was silent for q few moments
! and neither Willie nor cared to inter
J rupt his thoughts.
II don't believe my father is dead,
he said at length.
: "Mayhap not" answered Willie, ''bu
i If he hain't, why, then he's in the in
quisition's claws, an that's nigh upoI
the same thing, for you'll never Sc
eyes on him again, though it's sorry
be to have to say such word to YOU
Jack said Alec solemnly, taking
my hand, II shall search for my father
and know that some day shall NEE
) him again, but howl wonder how?''
I'm with you in the search, Alec, ,
! whispered. AZ
Z Willie had been watching us narrow
~, with smile of half doubling ap
) prevail scanning his face. Now he spoke
well, well, lads, if ever you do star
, to throw away your lives on SIGH /,
: FOOLS quest just let Willie Trehaliol
: know, an mebbe he'll ship with you al
boatswain. Captain Harry Ireland wa
2 the best captain that ever stepped, al
Pm thinking that this old tar can't d,
: better than take sarvice under his son
But you'll never find your father, lad
e Manoa has led many besides him t,
their graves, an mebbe'll be the dealt
4. of a few more before It's found
J, CHAPTER Nv.
Three days had passed since our ad
: venture in Don Miguel's house, and a