The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-05
Chapter II.
XALCOUR.

9 ITlIIIIIE
ship frequently employed by the firm
of Harclfffe Brothers to transport mer-
chandise from New Orleans to Rio de
Janiero. I had formed a slight ac-
quaintance with the master, Pedro
LeFtine, and was not surprised when
he placed his own state room at my
disposal; for although the vessel US
ualIy carried passengers the cabin
accommodations were none of the best.
The captain asked no questions con
corning my voyage, cOntenting himself
with the simple statement that he had
often carried my father with him in
the Castina in former years, and was
now pleased to welcome the son
aboard. He exhibited rare Difference
toward my uncle Nathan Harcliffe.
as the head of our firm, when the old
gentleman came to the head of the le-
wee to bid me goodbye; this Uncle
Nathan did by means Of a gentle pres
sure of my hand. I am told the Har-
cliffes are always remarkable for their
reserve, and certainly the head of our
house was an adept at depressing his
emotions. Neither he nor my father,
who had been his associate in founding
the successful mercantile establish
ment, had ever cared to make any in
innate friends; and for this reason the
warmth of friendship evineed by Uncle
Nelson in sending me on this peculiar
mission TO Dom Miguel de Pintra had
caused me no little establishment.
After his simple handshake my I'M
Gle walked back to his Office, and I inn
nediately boarded the Castina to look
after the placing of my trunks. Be
fore 1 had fairly settled myself in my
coy stateroom we were under way
and steaming down the river toward
the open sea,
On deck met young gentleman of
rather prepossesstng personality who
seemed quite willing to enter into con
versation. He was a dark-eyed, hand
some Brazilian, wei dressed and of
pleasing manners His card bore the
inscription, Manuel Cortes de Guarde.
He expressed great delight at finding
me able to speak his native tongue,
and rendered himself SO agreeable that
we had soon established very cordial
relations. He loved to talk and I love
to listen, especially when I am able
to gather information by so doing. and
de Guarde seemed to know Brazil per-
fectly and to delight in describing it.
I noticed that he never touched on
politics, but from his general CONVEX
ation I cleaned considerable knoWl-
edge of the country I was about to
visit.
During dinner he chatted away con-
tinually in his soft Portuguese patois.
and the other passengers. less than a
dozen in number, seemed content to
allow him to monOpOlize the CONVEX
saJon. I noticed that Captain Lertine
treated de Guarde with fully as much
consideration as he did me. while the
passengers he seemed to regard with
naughty indifference. However,
made the acquaintance of several of
my. felloW-voyagers and found them
both agreeable and intelligent
had promised myself a pleasant,
quiet voyage to the shores of Brazil,
but presently events began to happen
with a rapidity that startled me. In
deed, it was not long before I received
upon an adventure that might prove
dangerous.
We were two days out, and the night
fell close and warm, Finding my
! berth insufferably oppressive arose
about midnight partially dressed, and
went on deck to get whatever breeze
might be stirring. It was certainly
cooler than below, and reclining in the
shadow beside poop had nearly
succeeded in falling asleep when
aroused by the voices of two men
who approache and paused to lean
over the taffrail. They proved to be
Captain Lertine and de Guarde, and
1 was about to announce my presence
when the mention Of my own name
caused me to hesitate.
Il cannot understand why you
should suspect young Harclffe, the
ca Dtain said.
Because, of all your passengers. he
would be most fitted to act as de Pin
tra's secretary was the reply. And,
+ moreover he is a Harcliffe.'
That's just it. senior" declared the
other; "he is a Harcliffe, and since his
( fathers death, one of the great firm of
/ Harcliffe Brothers. It is absurd to
think one of his position would go to
+ Brazil to serve Miguel de Pintra-'
Perhaps the adventure entices
! him." returned de Guarde's soft voice,
in reflective tones HE is but lately
/ from college. and his uncle may wish
! him to know something of Brazil,
/ where the greater part Of the Harcliffe
fortune has been made"
efTla4Fc ATnOff5 Ia al in
/ but you seem to know everything
about everybody, my dear Vaicour!
! However, this suspicion Of young Har-
/ cliffe is nonsense, 1 assure you. You
/ rotary provided, Of course, he is on
my ship"
"Oh, he is doubtless on board" an
sWered de Guarde, with a low conf
\ dent laugh. DE Pintrais letters asked
! that a man be sent on the first ship
/ bound for Rio, and Nelson Harcliffe
/ is known to act promptly in all buSi-
+ ness matters. Moreover / have stud
/ led carefully the personality Of each
] of your passengers, and none OF them
t seems fitted for the post so perfectly
/ as young Hareliffe himself. I assure
! you, my dear Lertine. that I am right.
i He can be going out for no other pur-
I pose than TO assist de P1ntra-
/ The captain whistled softly.
t'Therefore2 he murmured.
Therefore" continued de Guarde.
/ gravely. "it is my duty to prevent his
reaching his destination
You will have him arrested when
/ we reach Rio2"
Arrested? No. indeed. Those
Americans at washington become
/ peevish if we arrest one of their citi-
zens, however criminal he may be. The
/ situation demands delicate treatment
and my orders are positive Our new
secretary for the revolution must not
reach Rio
41fT fr5F1 eafa arr4ae
/ melody with many false and uncertain
/ notes. And the other remained silent
Naturally I found the conversation
Inost interesting, and no feeling OF
/ delicacy prevented my straining my
ears to catch more Of it. It was the
captain who broke the long silence.