The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1905-11-02
AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIS
BY j. G. PLUMMER.
Copyright, 1905. By Daily Story Pub.

copyright, 1905, by Daily story PUP.
Coz
"A feckIess country" murmured Mr..
McDougall, mate OF the British tramp
steamer Triton as he looked disparag-
ingly at the thickly wooded shores on
either side Of the river and then at the
white abode town about a quarter of a
mile above, land ma a Christian one
either" he added.
There was reason for Mr.. McDougalls
disgust for the Triton had been swing
ing to her anchors in the little Central
American harbor for i've days with a
prospect of SO swinging for fifty days
more. The motive power Of the steam
er was represented by Mr.. Daniel Watts.
at the time being both first and second
engineer, for the second engineer had
been left sick in the hospital at Mara
caibo, and Mr.. Watts was not at his
post. The Triton had entered the port
for the purpose OF making some repairs
to her machinery and when Mr.. Watts
had accomplished this he went ashore
There ne fiiled himself with the most
yillainous aguadiente and sflote on the
head a peaceable citizen, SO that his life
was endangered Mr.. Watts, in compa-
ny with another lawbreaker and many
fieas, now languished In the adobe Gala
bozo and as no one aboard the steamer
was capable of running the engine she
lay at anchor. The captain had bias
phemed, protested and declaimed to- no
purpose the aleaIde being firm. He sug-
gested that IL the man assaulted died
Mr. Watts would be executed, but at
any rate the result of his injuries must
be awaited and the Triton swung at her
anchors In the intense heat like some
odd looking vegetable simmering slow
ly in a vast caldron of boiling water.
"A veesitor." exclaimed McDougall to
the Captain on the bridge. A boat had
put out from the town and was bearing
for the steamer, the man rowing pre-
senting an odd spectacle as his huge
scmbrero bobbed in union with the mo-
lions OF his body.
The captain damned the boat, the man
and McDougall compositely and resum-
ed his impatient walk mp and down
the bridge.
The boat came alongside and, flinging
a line aboard, which Mr.. McDougall
| listlessly fastened, the man climbed on
the steamer with the agility of a mon
key. He was a 1.-THE fellow with a red
sash about his waist and his unbuttoned
calzoneros tapping his legs.
Captain" he said, interrogatively to
McDougall.
The mate pointed out the officer on
the bridge and slouched behind the man
| as he mounted the ladder.
NO ingineer," remarked the man to
| the captain.
1t was well that his knowledge of
| English did not permit his grasping
Captain Benefits reply. Evidently he
did not grasp 1t for he went on.
In calabozo." he continued. man he
strike he die soon, you want him?'
Want who?" growled the skipper.
"Ingineer?" replied the man.
of course / want him, the drunken
swine. but what have You to do with IL.
you saffron colored lubber?' snapped
Captain Bennett.
Hundred dollar me get him." said the
man, coolly rolling a cigarette. The
captain stared at the unmoved native
and so did McDougall. then all entered
the cabin and the man unfolded his
plan in broken English.
He alone knew of weak spot in the
calabozo where a Jail delivery might be
made and for the sum of 800 he would
agree to deliver Mr.. Watts to the cap
tain at midnight at a spot Just opposite
where the steamer lay. boat was to
to be ready and the steamer was to
leave the port at once. As proof OF
his sincerity the man wanted no money
until the engineer was safely In the
boat.
The two officers conferred At the
worst they could be no losers and 9TH
erwise the steamer might lay for days
in that stewing harbor. True, the alb
duction of a criminal was a fracture of
international law, but then it would be
difficult to prove the steamers compile
ity in the deed and the state was a
small one. etc.
The agreement was accordingly made
and the man departed. Mr.. McDougall
went up to the town and secured the
papers for departure that day ana the
stokers were ordered to make up the
fires.
The night came on dark and heavy.
There was no moon and the stars had
that subdued brilliancy OF a hot night.
The shores were masses of dark gloom
and amid them were the thousand and
one voices of the tropical night Birds
reptiles and insects seemed to have
united in a vast concert and cucuyos
flashed their light at brief intervals
among the foliage. The captain and
McDougall. torn with suspense. walk
ed uneaslly about the deck waiting for
midnight
Finally the hour came and a boat
was quietly dropped from the davits the
captain. mate and two seamen occupy
ing II, and a course was laid for the
shore.
"Aw hope it's ma fools errand were
on" said McDougalI.
Or a trap we're walking into" sug-
gested the skipper. nervously
Mon It's brekking the law we are,
grumbled the mate, ''wha's thatr
noise like a muffled groan came from
the banks and the men stopped rowing.
It's only some bloody frog" said the
skipper, wiping the sweat from his
forehead. everything that can make
noise seems to be shouting In THIS
a few more mills ana me low wing