The Tucumcari news. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-01-13

native and so did McDOugall, then all
entered the cabin and the man un'
folded his plan in broken English.
He alone knew Of a weak spot in
the calabozo where a Jail delivery
might be made and for the sum of
one hundred dollars he would agree
to deliver Mr.. Watts to the captain
at midnight at a spot just opposite
where the steamer lay. A boat was
TO be ready and the vessel 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
otherwise the steamer might lay for
days in that stewing harbor. True,
the abduction of a criminal was a
fracture OF international law. but then
it would be difficult to prove the
steamers completely in the deed and
the state was a small one, etc.
The agreement was accordingly
made and the man departed. Mr.. Nc.
Dougall went up to the town and Sc
cured the papers for departure that
day and 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.
Finally the hour came and a boat
was quietly dropped from the davits
the captain, mate and two seamen &C.
cupying it and "a course was laid for
the shore.
Jaw hope It's ma a fools errand
we're on" said McDougall.
"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 that?" A
noise like a mufled groan came from
the banks and the men stopped row.
in.
cts only some bloody frog" said
the skipper wiping the sweat from his
forehead, everything that can make
a noise seems TO be shouting in this
woods tonight"
A few more pulls and the low.lying
branches of the chapparal brushed the
'N'blNl . HNob NuhSlhS MN W start.
Apart from the nocturnal concert
there was no sound. The darkness was
intense, the air clammy and tepid.
He'll ma be here" said McDougall.
Lets go back to the steamer"
Just then a low whistle sounded
throuG the gloom.
Captain said a voice.
"Ay, ay," replied the skipper, in
~quavering accents.
"All rect, all rect" came in low
tones from the chapparal, wait a
meenute."
A man, propelled by some fierce
force behind, shot into the boat UNI,
bling Mr.. McDougall off the thwart.
The mate struggled in the bottom
OF the boat a moment and then called:
It's ma heem, it's ma heem. Dinna
pay, Captain" hen he arose TO his
knees and repeated, its ma heem
this mon has q beard"
Another man came tumbling int;
the boat.
Engineer announced a voice, "g.>
money. captain"
ITS me-" exclaimed the unmistaE:
able voice of Mr.. Watts make FL
the steamer, for Gods sake, Captain
or they'll be after me-
The captain reached out the bag {.
money which was grasped ry an VI.
seen hand. \ voice muttercd gre
cias," a pistol rang out ami with ,
shout of ''caramba,' the boat WI!
pushed from the Danks.
The alcaldc 5 after en-, exclaim
ed the skipper, pull your ~b.oodiesl
boys, for the steamer"
The men strained az the oars an,
even Mr.. McDougail grasped sn oar
The boat Glove the water and speed
lily reached the Triton. II was quIc'
work 10 secure the boat and then Mr.
Watts dove Into the engine room