Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-07

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fellow. By leading the conversation
gradually up to contractors. and to
my friend Hestor, | learned that Col.
John Mcintyre was the contractor,
and that he lived in Havana. 1t
seems the schooner was loaded with
lumber for Col. Mcintyre. The second
day out il turend and blew q gale
and carried us away off our course to
the southwest 1t was late in the
afternoon when we passed steam
yacht, which seemed to be headed
for New Orleans. She passed us to
starboard. Capt. Parker sized her
up through n glass and said:
"'There is that yacht you were
talking about, Seymour. That is the
SHARK
He was positive about it. The
first mate also said it was the shark
She was about mile and half
away, and they could not make out
her name. Both knew the shark
well. and were dead sure they could
not be mistaken.
The gale set us back so much that
we did not reach Havana until Tues
day morning. Col. Mcintyre was not
at the pier. and | had considerable
trouble finding him. He lives ont on
Vedado street. and I jumped into a
carriage and went out to his house.
He had just left to go into the coun-
try. ] went after him. 1t was noon
before I stood him up
"Where is Col Mcintyre now?"
asked Chalmers.
HE will he here soon" said Mr..
Seymour. "Iack stevens has gone
out to his house for him. When
we found YOU were in the harbor,
Jack went for the colonel. and | came
to pay my respects to Miss Carmody.
I am never looking for the worst
of it."
Mr.. Seymour raised his hat and
saluted Miss Carmody.
But to my story" continued Sey-
mour. IL found Col. Mcintyre gruff
old dog, and he tried to stand me off.
He said it was none of my business
whether he had built house for
Hcstor or not. / saw it was no use
trying to CON the colonel. He was
too wise. so ! told him the whole
story. You should have seen his eyes
| stick ont. At first he wouldn't be-
lieve n word of it. but finally he
changed his mind, He said Hestor
was such an erratic fellow that he
would not put anything past him.
Then he thawed out and told me
everything"
"What island is the house on?"
asked Miss Carmody with suppressed
excitement.
ut is not on any island" said Sey-
mour at is on the coast of Mex
leo. south of Vera Cruz. From Col.
Mclntyres description. il is a place
you would not find in a thousand
years. The MeXicanS and Indians
never go near it. They imagine that
it is haunted by the ghosts of some
old ruined city, which is said to be
near there. There is small inlet
opening into n bay. You cannot see
this inlet unless you are close to the
shore. There is only one pilot, en-
cept Capt. Waters of the Shark who
knows the way in through the rocks
and shoals. Any boat drawing more
than five feet of water would be
smashed to pieces. Here comes Jack
Stevens and Col Mcintyre"
The new arrivals were welcomed on
the yacht. Col. Mcintyre was thick
set, broad-shouldercd man. with an
/ immense black muStache, and com
pleXion almost as dark as that of
II mlIlatto. But his fiercencSs was
all external. There was little to
/ his story which has not been told.
/ fIestor had contracted with him to
build "a bungalow on the shore of
the Gulf of Mexico south Of Vera
Cruz. Hestor had prepared the plans,
which. when slightly modified by Col.
Mcintyre, were sufficient for the pur-
pose. He purchased the lumber and
materials in New Orleans. and sailed
with three carpenters for the site
selected. Extra workmen were Sc
cured at Vera Cruz. The three car
penters were then working FOR Col.
Mcintyre in Havana.
Can You take lis direct to the place,
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Il can take you there, but we could
rot take the yacht in without "A pilot"
said Col Mcintyre. The surf is very
heavy, and it is dangerous for small
boats. We had pilot from Tampico.
My advice is to pick him up on the
way down, and then we will have no
trouble. When will you start?"
Just as soon as you are ready,
tolonel,' said Chalmers. I'VE must
take on coal, but that will not take
long"
Il am all ready" said Col. McIn-
tyre. II am very busy man, and
have some contracts on my hands
which reCSSire my constant attention.
but when Mr.. Seymour told me about
this ] dropped everything. I am
entirely at your service, Miss Car
mody," said the gallant colonel.
81 do not know how to thank you,
Col. Mcintyre" said Miss Carmo dy.
ut is not necessary for me to as
sure you that we shall not permit
you to suffer any financial loss on &C.
count Of your kindness"
Early in the afternoon the "Helen
Sarmody" glided swiftly out of Ha-
rana harbor and took a course al
most due west. II was night before
The ragged coast of Cuba faded in
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