Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1902-09-15
-one man remembered ne Rsspa-


sailed a voyage on her, and was later
on connected in some clerical way
with the American branch OF the
house in whose interests she was
sailed up to the time of her loss.
THAT branch house is still in exist
ence and only a block away from
where we stood talking at the mo-
ment; IL interested in the Hespasia
or her gallant captain, | could not do
better than to turn in and make in
quiries there.
when | opened my business with a
little gray-headed chap, who was resi-
dent agent,I wish you could have seen
him jump about six inches on the
floor, while the look of astonishment
on his face was quite killing. For, as
he presently informed me, as luck
would have 1t, l had come asking
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-
sia 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 a 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 cid
boy has been, up to his tricks, and
spinning his yarns to a fresh audi
ence," Artemus remarked.
81 confess that thought came to
me-"
well, 1t struck me that way-at
first"
"Ah! then you found occasion to
change your mind?"
81 did"
"And it wasn't the ogre?" breath.
lessly.
mot a bit of It."
Then Charlie gave vent to q
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
lie.
Yes, it was a grand stroke Of
luck.
They could doubtless easily prevail
upon the mate to meet the impostel
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 dc
this for the sake of his old captain:
daughter.
No wonder Charlie felt pleased.
We'll" he said, at length, ut be
gins to look like business, l declare.
Every much so,' remarked ArtenAss
81 can readily see there is som,
great fun in prospect if we can brinl
these two wonderful African traveller
into contact"
"Oh glorious!"
"And il we can get the maee to de
nounce this old ogre, our end i
gained"
who is to denounce him?"
"Why, Ben Hazen, the mate, o
course"
"Ah! where will you find him?"
81 thought-that is, l understood
or, at least, l took it for granted, yo
had found him"
Artemus 81 wly shook his head 4
the most tantaLzing manner.
81 never said So"
"Then l jumped at conclusions, an
was wrong?"
1Ou WtIc.
IF Ben Hazen is out of the quei
!, tion suppose this is one of the cre'
who has turned up?"
Artemus lay back in his chair, wit
thumbs in the armholes of his yes
His attitude was consequential an
triumphant; it plainly gave warnin
that he was about to fire volley.
, Guess again"
81 am at my wits ends"
: How about the genuine Simo
Pure captain?"
Charlie caught his breath.
2 Good Heavens! that would
t the most stupendous thing on recoI
2 - coincidence without a parallel. Bl
see here" as he detected a quizzic
g CLEAN in the others fun-loving eye
e this is too serious a thing to jol
Y about, you know, my dear fellow"
: fsNntt haf n iS -