The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-16

===.== JORDAN KNAPP. TRADER T.



We went down into the cabin, and
Boles hauled some charts out of his
locker and spread them on the table.
L have just learned from friend of
mine ashore, who is in a good position
TO know all about these things, that
there is fine, fat cargo of hemp wait
ing for the first conner at Mayongong,
little place in the south of Samar-
ah, here 1t is. 1t seems that the port
has not been opened yet, but there will
be no difficulty in our getting the stuff
If We can only manage to reach there
before little brigantine that left here
yesterday on the same errand. There
is handsome commission on IL If we
win out, and not much lost If We don't.
Now, what do you say? Shall we have
a go at it? Strictly speaking, it's
against the law; but the offense is only
a technical one"
l looked at Knapp, who grinned.
THAT seems to be our speciality, doc
to correct these fool regulations. Let's
have a go at it. It'll be easy enough
to pick up a little more somewheres
else and change the figures on the man
ifest."
NO" said Boles, I'VE can't do that
exactly, but think 1 know how we can
arrange it all right. Well, on the jump,
boys-we're cleared and can't afford to
waste any time. These little coasting
collins are slow as death, and nothing
like as sure, but days big start, and
it's only a matter of 500 miles or so.
Well have our chin when we get un-
der way"
We rounded the end of the break
water, and, Stacking our sheets, stood
away toward Corregidor, and soon the
myriad lights of the Luneta twinkled
dim and indistinct Our topsails and
Staysail were quickly set and the slap
Sian of fhp litfla xUaUaS lIndar her fore
foot grew faster and faster as she gath
cred way. Soon the lights of the city
faded, and by midnight we vera draw
ing into the channel to the southeast
of Corregidor.
It was not until the sixth day after
we left Manila that We entered San
Pedro bay and drew near to our des-
tination. l was down in the cabin
shaving, because I always like to keep
we'll "policed," as Boles calls it, even at
sea, when a below of rage from Knapp
brought me flying up the companion
way, under the impression that some
calamity had occurred. And apparent
ly it had.
We We're rounding the point, and
there, just off the village, lay a schoon-
er very much like our own!
1t was certainly discouraging. To
have worked and worried as we had.
won our race through dangerous and
unknown waters. and then to find an
unlocked for rival already on the
ground was enough to make one swear.
Knapp evidently thought so.
We held a little conference. and it
was decided that Knapp and l should
go ashore and see how the ground lay,
while Boles remained on the schooner
as a SOFT of reserve. Here l was able
to be of some service to my mates, as
/ had spent several years studying in
nd lr fcb iira
a native. Boles could speak good
Spanish, too, but Knapp. when speak
ing to any foreigner, simply raised his
voice to a shout, making up in volume
what he lacked in intelligibility.
We dropped into our dinghy and
pulled ashore in some uncertainty. A
few natives came down to the beach to
see us land, and seemed quiet and
friendly. One of them showed us to
the presidente's house. He told us on
the way that the presidente was in
conversation with the senors from the
other vessel. which had just arrived
that morning from Cebu.
AS we drew near We heard the quick
patter of voices raised in argument,
and occasionally a staccato laugh. Then
We were discovered, for the voices
ceased, and the presidente himself
came out to greet us.
1 wished him good day." and for
While we talked In circle, exchanging
compliments and felicitations. He was
rather good looking Spanish Visayan
mestizo, and seemed a person of breed
ing and poise. Soon l introduced
Knapp, who crumpled his paw. and
explained that we were Englishmen
and on a little trading cruise. and
hearing SO much of the wealth and re-
source of his well known city, as we'll
as of the great personal charm of its
presidente, We had put in while pass
ing. to give ourselves the pleasure of
paying our respects and making his
acquaintance. and casually to see If,
perhaps. he might happen to have
few bags of coffee, a little tobacco. or
possibly some hemp, which just now
was of little value owing to the cursed
Americanos.
He threw both hands above his head
with a gesture of despair.
'Ah, amigo. why did not the blessed
Virgin send you an hour earlieri 1t is
true that the storehouse yonder is full
of hemp which l have been saving for
the rise in price that 1 thought was
sure to come as a result of the inter-
ruption of the industry by these cursed
AmericanoS. But at last / am obliged
to let it go. for how otherwise can my
son Emilio pursue his studies in Paris
where he has gone to become a famous
artist?''
"Alas!" said I, 81 can indeed feel for
your anxiety as a parent, which does
you infinite credit, also your solicitude
concerning your sons career. 1 also
am an artist in a poor way" and
showed him my half filled sketch book
He turned the leaves in great delight.
San Diego!-but the senior is great