Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-11-30

hension. Plainly his vocabulary was of
the smallest.
"These men are Portuguese, Sir Hen
ry," said Marnac, stepping quickly for
ward Il know their tongue. Allow
me to explain the situation"
But he got no further Ny cousins
long arm shot out, gripping his collar
firmly from behind. With a gentle heave,
he swung the professor from his feet
and dropped him behind us.
PLEASE to keep silence, Professor
Marnac. Your explanations might be
somewhat biased" said he, with grim
smile. And then turning to the sailors,
who had been watching the little scene
with evident surprise
DO none of you speak English?" he
asked.
They seemed to understand the ques-
ton, for some talk, eked out by much
gesticulation, ended in one of their num-
Der trotting up the ladder to the bridge,
where he disappeared into the wheel
house. An instant later long, red-head-
ed man emerged and came running to-
wards us.
and shure wud Oh not have greeted
yer honors before now," he exclaimed
in the most strenuous Of brogues; "but
twas me trick at the wheel, and niver a
wan of these spalpeens wud relieve me-
An what can Oi do fer ye now at all?"
What boat is this?"
"The Portuguese ship, San Joseph,
firm ,Buenos Ayres to Hamburg, wild a
mixed cargo, and very mixed crew,
sorr. If it hadn't been fer back an
swer whn the wine was in me, faith!
it's not in this greasy f1at-ir-ron that Tim
Blake wud be after serving"
"Do you speak the language, my
man"
'Indade an OF do, soor; an good raj
son, seeing that it's fower years come
Christmas that Olive been steward on tn
yacht iv wan iv tha' Portuguese no.
bility."
THAT'S good news. And now where
is the captain"
Faith! but twas a jool iv a time we
were after havin' in the Bay last night,
sorr an the old mans turned in. The
second mate has gone aft, gatherin' his
courage in both hands fer to wake him
put the fear iv the Lord into a better
man than him.:
Rather Tartar, eh?"
"a strong man, sorr, an a good sea
man fer a greaser, though his temper is
most pro-digious. But see, here he comes
| ike a dook out iv theater."
He was indeed a fine figure of man
| fully six feet in height and proportion
| ltely broad. His skin was very dark
nd his eyes of the deep blackness that
| have since observed in Indian races, but
very soft and glowing. His hair, which
| he wore at a greater length than is Gus
! lomary amongst sailors, showed under
his cap in glossy curls; and his mus
tache was twisted back almost to his
ears.
He bowed to us with deliberate cour
tesy, muttering a greeting in his OWL
tongue. He spoke no English, and it was
through the medium of Tim Blake that
he offered us hospitality. 1t was nc
time for explanations, so, guarding Mar
nae between us, we hurried down to @
large cabin where warm garments and
Heaming cups Of hot coffee and
sugar were brought by the worthy Irish
water were brought by the worthy lrisn
man, to whose care we had been as
signed. AS far as could be judged,
| had not contracted so much as a cold
in the head, despite my long exposure
| When we had completed our change OF
clothes, my cousin beckoned me outside
the cabin, closing the door ON our pris
oner.
II have asked Blake to take me to the
captain, for it is right that he should
know the true position of affairs" he
whispered. "While l am gone, you must
sit with Marnac. Remember, do not lei
him out of your sight for moment"
Every WELL" l said, and he strobe of
down the dark alley of the passageway
When l re-entered the cabin l found
Marnac muffled to the chin, under the
blankets of a bunk. He gave me one Of
his quick, evil glances, that was un
pleasantly reminiscent of an aged raj
surprised in an iron gin. l had SO great
a horror and detestation of the man thai
his mere presence was source of phys
ical discomfort to me; and when, sitting
up amongst his wraps, he commenced t.
poster me with questions. l could endure
it no longer. l retired outside the cabin
seating myself with my back to the door
| was as we'll there, l argued, as In the
interior, and in a position infinitely more
satisfactory to myself.
The garments they had lent me were
thick and warm the dose of brandy hat
been considerable. was weary from
the toll of a sleepless night Those are
my excuses for the fact that In the
course Of the next FIVE minutes l fel
soundly asleep.
It was Graden who woke me, very
angry and exasperated Graden wht
shook my senses into with with unnec
essary violence. started up, protest
ing against his treatment.
II thought better Of you than this,
hs said, with his hand. still fixed In m,
|