Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-08-07

| about a vessel lost many years ago,
about which no vestige had ever been
discovered, in the very hour that the
sole survivor of the luckless Hespa-
STA had been sitting there in the
same chair occupied, and telling the
most thrilling tales of his adventures
in the deserts of Africa-the most ex-
citing that ever fell from the lips of
mortal man."
THAT was quite unique situation
to sit in the same chair and this
survivor of the Hespasia wreck had
occupied within the hour. How it
must have stirred your blood and set
your nerves tingling! And then, just
to think what rollicking adventures
he had to tell of his life in Africa. BY
the way, haven't we heard something
in that line before? l have an indis-
tinct recollection Of listening to some
very entertaining "reminiscences that
rivaled the feats of old Munchausen.
Perhaps, after all, it was only a
dream"
Plainly, then, you think the old
boy has been up to his tricks, and
spinning his yarns to fresh audi.
ence," Artemus remarked.
Il confess that thought came to
me-"
well, it struck me that way-at
first"
"Ah! then you found occasion to
change your mindY' tt.
Il did"
"And it wasn't the ogre?" breath
lessly.
mot a bit of it."
Then Charlie gave vent to a
whistle.
There were two Richmonds in the
field.
The man they knew as Capt. Brand
had rival for the honors.
1t was growing decidedly interest
ing. and Charlie Stuart realized that
his friend had certainly stumbled
! upon news of importance.
Here, then, was Mate Ben Hazen,
come to the surface after his long ex-
! ile
Yes, it was a grand stroke of
luck.
They could doubtless easily prevail
upon the mate to meet the imposter
! face to face, and tear away the mask
with which he had all this time con-
cealed his identity.
Surely he would be willing to do
this for the sake of his old captains
| daughter.
No wonder Charlie felt pleased.
We'll" he said, at length, 1T be-
gins to look like business, declare"
Very much so,' remarked Artemus.
81 can readily see there is some
great fun in prospect if we can bring
these two wonderful African travellers
into contact"
"Oh! glorious!"
"And if we can get the mate to de-
nounce this old ogre, our end is
gained"
who is to denounce him?"
why, Ben Hazen, the mate, of
course
"Ah! where will you find him."
81 thought--that is, l understood,
or, at least, / took it for granted, you
mad IOunu MIN.
Artemus slowly shook his head in
the most tantalizing manner.
Il never said So"
Then jumped at conclusions, and
was wrong?"
you were"
"If Ben Hazen is out OF the ques-
ton, | suppose this is one of the crew
| who has turned up?"
Artemus lay back in his chair, with
thumbs in the armholes of his vest.
His attitude was consequential and
triumphant; it plainly gave warning
that he was about to fire volley.
Guess again"
81 am at my wits ends"
How about the genuine Simon
Pure captain?"
Charlie caught his breath.
Good Heavens! that would be
the most slupendous thing on record
- coincidence without a parallel. Bot
see here" as he detected quizzical
sleam in the others fun-loving eyes,
"this is too serious a thing to joke
about, you know, my dear fellow"
| You bet Il is"
"And you sre in dead earnest?"
"Neyer move so in all my life
cross my heart If it isn't So"
Then Charlie realized that he could
believe him.
Tell me-" he said, eagerly, were
you incredulous at first?"
"ltather.'
And how did you set about prov
ing riatters?"
81 saw only one way-that was to
look up this new claimant for the
honors."
"You did it,"
81 had to. You see, couldn't rid
myself Of the idea that it might after
all be Macauley, our ogre, spinning
his spider web"
THAT would have struck me the
first thing"
"Well, with me II was somewhat
different, for the caae stood out so
clearly. You see. he came to the
agency in company with the captain
of the English steamer that picked
him up in small boat Off
the coast Of Africa--he having at
last escaped from the Arabs who held
him prisoner so many years.
This steamer was bound from
Cape Town to New York, and had
been thrown out Of her regular course
by series of terrible southern
storms.
They wanted to put him aboard
some vessel bound for London; but,
strange to say, spoke none during