The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-02-11
"Matcho tell you about the palacio? p

"Matcho tell you about the palacio?'
he asked.
"He won't" she answered. "He says
he's forgotten it."
He isn't much on the talk" he said
approachingly. Hasn't told about the
girl down below on the spar deck
either, l suppose?"
Size shook her head.
"Well." said the captain. "she's lit
tie Indian frenl one of his plantations
down there-pretty little devil too.
Seems she's In love with him and he
won't look at her. So what does she
do but go and scrape the money to-
gether somehow and take steerage pas
sage and follow him. She came on at
San Jose, but he never knew she was
aboard until after we got OF the Qua
temalan coast. She's a shy one, and
sharp. Then one day when he was
down with the doctor looking at the
hospital she showed herself. clasped
his knees and wept and all the rest Of
it-made the dickens own row. He
acted very well, but it put him In
ticklish kind Of place. OF course we
won't let her up here, and he's mighty
careful to keep off the spar deck now.
He's going to ship her back from
Frisco, he says" He pointed to the
back Of black haired head that ap-
peared ever the side directly below
them. That's her." Evidently the
eyes Of the head were watching the
boat too.
''She's seen you with him. and she
don't like you little bit" the captain
chuckled. "She calls you Names
Miss Strathmore did not think it
amusing at all. The rowboat was near
Miss Strathmore met Merida's eye.
Hell have scramble Of it getting
up," the captain opined.
The ship was rolling heavily.
And his Mexicans." said the captain.
uneasily-'by heaven. they're half
drunk too! Look at their eyes,"
Whether 1t was that or not, it was
certain that they could not seem to
manage to keep the boat alongside long
enough for Merida to catch the plat
form when the ship rolled down.
'fTake your time. Merida" the chief
engineer called to him-"take your
time"
Apparently the word suggested some
thing to Merida. He put his hand to
his watch pocket. and then his face
changed. There were three Mexicans
In the boat. but only two of them had
rowed. The other had been sitting near
him In the stern. steering occasionally
with an oar. Merida said something
to this one. The fellow looked too In.
nocent and shook his head. Merida
| caught the mozo by the arm, and that
began the fight The rowers shipped
their oars and. urged by the excitement
and the tequila, Joined in. The boat
pitched and plunged.
They'll kill him!" the captain calIes
out. Lower away q boatr'
IF they've no kniyes'- began the
purser, but as he said 1t knife wa:
thrown. and by the little Indian girl OF
the deck below.
The captain swore one oath, They'll
do him now sure" he said.
Merida had his man by the throat
but he was down, and all three were
on top Of him. One Of them jumpes
up and caught the knife by the handle
as it came, dexterously. He gave ii I,
the man who had Merida under him
and the other two drew back. A splen
did brown arm. with its hand graspin,
the knife, rose high and poised abov,
Merida's breast. Then 1t fell, but use
iessly, limp from the shoulder bone
There was smoke In the muzzle of tn,
revolver In Miss Strathmore's hand.
Merida threw the wounded Mexican
of. bent over him. felt In his sash an,
drew out his own watch. The rover
had resumed their oars. Now" sal,
Merida quietly. you take me along
side"
The little Indian on the spar deck ha,
watched 1t eagerly. hanging out ia
over the side. She turned now, twist
ing around lithely upon her back, he
face upturned. Her dark eyes glowed
her lips were apart. Miss Strathmore
the revolver still In her hand, wa
straight above. The Indian threw bacl
her head, farther still. and laughed
Her right hand went to her forehea,
and came away again with a sweep Ii
mock salute-the salute Of the mata
dOre who has missed his stroke an
forsakes the ring.-Argonaut