Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-07-05

As the others Joined the captain on
deck they found themselves confront
ed by a rabble of wild-eyed barefooted
Spanish sailors.
The marquis addressed them in
quick sentences, straight to the point,
his Spanish was good, and he knew
how to best handle such men-mighty
little time did he spend in explaining
by what right they came there, for
such rovers care not a snap for the
affection existing between husband
and wife-with them right is but as
might allows, and their god the braz-
en- image that will buy liquor and to-
bacco.
Thus the marquis had card up his
sleeve, and he played it now at time
when it was of the greatest value.
When he drew out his hand from
his pocket it contained a score of gold
pieces.
These he sent along the deck with
a toss that is only gained through ex
perience.
1t was a clever trick.
In vain some fellow in command
shouted and swore at the sailor men
to mass themselves in front of the in
vaders and prevent them from leaving
the vessel; he addressed but empty
air, for the spot that had just held the
Spanish crew knew them no longer.
The CLEAN of golden coins rolling
about the deck was enough to make
them even forget their allegiance to
the young King. and, needless alike of
entreaties and hard imprecautions,
they set about scrambling for the
coins.
There were fierce fights over some
of the gold boys, where two men set
about securing a single coin; and at
another time and under different con-
ditions the mad scramble might have
presented certain elements of humor
in the eyes of Livermore and the
artist.
Just now their one desire was to
shake off the society Of these sad
seadogs, and leave them to fight it out
among themselves.
Accordingly, a forward movement
was begun without delay, and they
managed to reach the side of the ves-
sci where hung the rope that had been
of such signal assistance in helping
them aboard, about the time the sail
ors again gathered in a threatening
crowd.
The marquis lowered Mazette into
the arms of the stout lads waiting be-
low. Then came Fedora, assisted on
both sides, and such trust did the la
dies feel in those brave hearts that
had risked all these dangers in their
behalf that they forgot to exercise the
first privilege of the feminine mind
and scream as they were lowered over
the rail into the darkness below.
AS the Spaniards, urged on by their
valorous officers, who took good care
to keep in the rear, showed signs of
making rush, the nabob again with
eager fingers chased all the fugitive
coins he had in his pockets, and, hav-
silade.
And again it was a grand success
nothing could Withstand the power of
gold.
Taking advantage of this depression,
while the men chased the rolling
discs, the captain was assisted down
the rope and the marquis followed.
AS the man from Scotland Yard
started to follow, one of the steam
er's officers made a slash at the rope
with his cuchillo and severed it.
Luckily the detective was kept from
going overheard, and the fragment OF
rope, found later on, was seized by
Overton as a memento of this remark
able adventure.
Nothing now remained to hold
them, so the boat was pushed off and
oars unshipped.
In their course toward the other
steamer they had occasion to pass
around the stern of the one which had
been the theater of such recent tragic
events.
From a portfolio, evidently opening
from the cabin, came several shots:
but, owing to the darkness covering
the water, the bullets went wide of
their intended mark.
Evidently the enraged senorita real
lied she had played her last card and
lost the stakes, for they could hear
her wild shrieks ringing over the calm
bay long after they regained the deck
of their own steamer and were on the
wav ont To sea-DernaDS the wretchad