Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-25

ing eacn instant lest Jne Wlnu nOuiu
spring up sufficiently for the men to
attempt the passage to the mainland.
That they would do exactly as Gomez had
said, he had no doubt, for already had he
seen enough of the Spaniard to convince hlm
that he would have no hesitation in commit
ting any crime in order to gain possession OF,
or even to prevent others from finding, the
pirates gold
There was one thing certain-he could cf
feet nothing by force. Armed only with
not remarkably sharp hatchet, he would have
cut a sorry figure trying to oblige four men
to give up their prisoners, and all he could
do was to hope and watch for some chance
which would throw the advantage, as well
as the opportunity, in his way.
The men passed the time lazily smoking,
specializing upon the chances of reaching the
mainland that night, or in amusing themselves
by taunting the helpless boys. Now and then
cne would rise to his feet for the purpose
of learning whether the wind was springing
up, and then, seeing no change in the weather,
would fling himself upon the ground again.
AS the sun sank lower in the west Bob
watched the leaves about him, fearing lest
he should see them move under the influence
of the night wind; but the minutes went by
and not even blade Of grass waved in the
air.
The sun was setting amid a perfect calm,
and the watcher knew quite as well as did
the inpatient men that there was little prob
ability of breeze before midnight.
"H it is at all dark, I'll make try to set
the poor fellows Free however many risks
may have to run; for it isn't likely that I'll
have chance tomorrow Bob said to himself,
as one of the men built fire for the pur-
pose Of cooking supper.
Nothing could be more favorable for Bob,
if the fire was kept burning after nightfal,
for it would render objects Just within the
circle of its rays indistinct to those who were
sitting in front of it.
The plan by which the captain of the wreck
ed Jaquita hoped to free his friends was
dangerous in the extreme, even though ne
should elude the vigilance of those on the
beach.
He proposed to go short distance up the
shore, where any noise made by him in enter
ing the water could not be heard, as well as
where the reef made out sufficiently to check
the force of Che surf, and then swim to the
raft; That there were plenty of sharks about
he knew perfectly well, and was ready and
willing, as he had said, to run the risk.
He began to work his way up the beach
before it was too dark to see any obstacles
that might be IN his path, and not sound
betrayed his presence to those around the
fire. In turtle hunting with old Antonio he
had had some experience in creeping softly
through the underbrush, and it stood him il,
good stead now.
At a distance of about a hundred wards
from the enemy he waited until it was. as
nearly as he could judge ten o'clock and
then he nerved himself for the attempt which
might result only in his becoming a prisoner
with Dudley and Percy.
Removing his clothes, he placed them. 20
gether with his precious hatchet, by the tIunl,
of a tree that grew out more prominently
than the others, that he might have no diff,
Guilty in finding them if he should return
Then he paused an instant before venturine
into the water.
The campfire was still burning quite bright
", but the sounds of conversation had died
away. Some of the men were undoubtedly
asleep, and it could hardly be expected thai
those who were awake would think il neces
sary TO keep a very strict watch
Cautiously he entered the water, seht
splash that might have been made by fsi
alone breaking the silence, and keeping wei
from the shore, swan until he was directly
opposite and about fifty feet from the fr.s
The raft was between him and the blaze anC
he made directly for it, hoping the attention
of his friends might be attracted to his move
ments before he reached thcm.
During all this time he had heard no sount
from the encampment.
To Chamber on the raft was by far the mos
difficult task, for any undue motion of th
clumsy craft might cause those on the shor
TO suspect that something was wrong. Placing
bis hands as far from the ends toward tn
centre as possible, he dragged himself slowl
up on the timbers, a slight exclamation from
Dudley telling that the cook at least had bu
Just become aware that help was nearby.
wing fat on his GkOmach, after he was ou