The Red Cloud chief., 1902-07-04

STA ana neT sdu late perfectly. re Hdu
| 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.
nee and only a block away from
where We stood talking at the mo-
ment; II 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,l wish you could have seen
him jump about six inches on the
floor. while the look OF astonisbment
on his face was quite killing. For, as
he presently informed me, as luck
would have II. | had come asking
about a vessel lost many years ago,
about when no yestige had ever been
discovered. in the very hour that the
sole survivor of the luckless Hespa-
STA had been sitting there in the
same caair | 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 1t
! mncf hat.n pttrral ,D,r llaAl md pnf
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? | have an indis.
tinct recollection of listening to some
very entertaining "reminiscences that
rivalcd 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 a fresh audi
ence,' Artemus remarked.
Il confess that thought came to
me-"
We'll, il struck me that way-at
first"
"Ah! then you found occasion to
change your mind?'
Il did"
And ii wasn't the ogre?" breath.
lessly.
Not a bit of It,"
Then Charlie rave vent to a
whistle.
There were two Richmonds in the
field.
The man they knew as Capt. Brand
had a rival for the honors.
II 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 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.
"Well,' he said. al length. 1T be-
gins 10 look like business. | declare"
Very much So remarked Artemus.
Il 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 %donounce him."
Why, Ben Hazen, the mate, of
course"
All! where will you find him?"
Il thought-that is. | understood.
or, at least, | took it for granted, you
had found him
Artemus slowly shook his head in
the most tantalizing manner.
Il never said So"
was wrong?'
lON were.
IF Ben Hazen is out Of the cues.
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; 1t plainly gave warning
that he was about to fire a volley.
Guess again"
IL am at my wits ends
How about the genuine Simon
Pure c%aptain?"
Charlie caught his breath.
Good Heavens! that would he
the most %stupendous thing on record
- coincidence without a parallel. But
see here as he detected a qui2ZiCal
CLEAN in the others fun.loving eyes.
this is too serious a thing TO Joke
about, you know, my dear fellow
You bet il s."