Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-08-23
CHAPTER TT;

Just at evening on the second day of
the encounter with the sloop-of-war, the
Scourge dropped her anchor in a little
cove upon the western coast of Luzon
Island
There was a small village of one-story
huts upon the shore. and close by the
water under sort of bluff, stood quite
a respectable house. The people here
knew the character of the brig well, for
here it was that she took in mary of
her stores when she wanted them; and
here, also, she had a hospital, where
many of the inhabitants found places as
nurses; for those who were laid up here
with wounds and disease generally pos
sessed golden pockets, and could afford
10 pay for good nursing.
AS soon as the sails were all furled,
and the deck cleared up, LaFoon had his
boat manned, and went on shore. 1t
was nearly dark when he reached the
little pier which was built out from the
beach, and lac took his way at once to-
ward the house on the bluff, which was
the hospital in question. When he reach
Ell the veraada he found the old surgeon
the same who had formerly sailed with
him-ready to receive him. The two
proceeded 70 one of the best drawing
rooms, where heavy hanging lamp was
already burning, and there they seated
themselves. Laroon first asked after the
welfare of the sick ones, and he was in
formed, in general terms, that they were
getting along well.
But how many can you let me have
to take away with meg' asked the pirate
chieftain.
Not over FIVE, at the outside" return
ell the surgeon.
But L must have more. 1 have sew
eLty-fve men on board now, besides Paul
and myself. and l mean to take a short
cruise il | can muster the men. There's
more gold on shore than there is at sea.
Down around the shores OF Japan there
live lot of nabobs who own gold by
the toa. and l want to feel of 'em. Do
YOU underestimate
YES" returned the surgeon, with n
sparkling eye, for the thought of such
plumber had yet a charm for him. But
c<n't you make your present force doF
Il suppose | shall have to. And you
have had no applications from anyOneE'
"Ah, yes; | liked to have forgotten.
Yes, | had one application, and | guess
the fellow is here now. / told him the
brig would be in shortly | thought, and
ii he would wait he might get a chance. J"
Does he know what flag we sail UNI
der?'
Yes"
How did he find out p
From someone who had been with us.
He met him in prison, ] think he said.
III send for him at once
As the surgeon thus spoke he rang n
hell which stood upon the table near
him. and in a moment more a boy made
his appearance.
Jack" spoke the old sawbones. You
remember that one-eyed fellow who has
been here? Well, you'll lind him at
old Madaline's. Go down there and tell
him TO come up"
In the course of half an hour the boy
returned. and with him the individual in
question. who came limping into the room
with a gait that promised anything hut
uuickness of movement. The pirate
chieftain could not repress smile as he
sazed upon the newcomer. though some
more timid might have been frightened
rather than amused
The man was, in every respect pecu-
liar He was past the meridian of life
perhaps fve-and-ffty-and very slightly
bent in form, but not enough to give his
hack apy hump.
In frame he was OF medium height
when he stood at rest. but somewhat
taller when standing upon his right leg
alone, thar being some TWO inches longer
than the other leg; and this OF course
gave him very awkward movement.
But his facesw IS more peculiar stiA: be
had lost one . a-the left one-au9 the
ykin ehsut the Jrhless socket WAS much
diShgured. giving him one OF the moSt
sinister looks imaginable. His hair was
short and crispy, and of a dirty red
color, while the face was almost IS dark
as a Mslay's But he had one redeem
ing quality; he was stout and powerful
IN his physical mold. revealing breast
aud shoulders and arms OF almost Her
enlcan proportions. Next 10 the rerul-
sive looking place where an eye had been
lost which was sAvunken and Shriveled
Hp. the most peculiar and striking fea-
Stre OF the lace was the eve that was
LIT One would expect to find liSht-
Colcred eye with such head. tat it was
rot so. That single eve was not ONLY of
the darkest hazel. but it burned and
spsrkled with power and hrilliancy But
what was it that vet remained OF fea-
ture which gave hho such a s,ranseneSS
OF look? Laroon seemed determined To
hunt up that odd feature. and after
awhile he found it; the man had nc eye
brows.
Bur Mari I.arocn was nat the only
one who gazed fNeaiS into anether's
face. for the straa. - .sazed full as
sharply into his, and seeiled as much
interested in the work.
well. sir commenced the pirate cap
tsin. seeming 10 speak with an effort.
80 you want to ship On boanl my ga
selT'