Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-12-14

~" said Marnac, stepping quickly for
ward. 81 know their tongue. Allow
me to explain the situation"
But no got no further. Ny cousins
long arm shot out, gripping his collar
firmly from behind With gentle heavo,
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 a grim
smile. And then turning to the sailors,
who had been watching tho little sceno
with evident surprise
"DO none of goa speak Enslishr' he
asked.
They seemed to understand the ques-
ton, for some talk, eked out by much
gesticula ton, 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
wan of these spalpeens wud relieve me.
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 a back an
swer whin the wine was in me, faith!
it's not in this greasy fiat-ir-ron that Tim
Blake wud be after serving"
DO you speak the language, my
man?"
''Indade an Oh do, soor; an good raj
son. seeing that tits Tower years come
Christmas that Owe been steward on tn
yacht iv wan iv tha' Portuguese no.
bility."
"Thats good news. And now where
is the captain?"
"Faithl but twas a jool iv time we
were after havin' in the Bay last night,
SORT, an the old mans turned in. The
second mate has gone aft, gatherin' his
courage in both hands fer to wake him.
Indade, sorr, it's a r-resolution that wud
put the fear iv the Lord into a better
man than him
Rather a 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 dock out iv a theater."
He was indeed a fine figure of a man,
fully six feet in height and proportion
ltely broad His skin was very dark,
md his eyes of the deep blackness that
| have since observed in Indian races, but
very soft and glowing. His hair, which
he wore ut n greater length than is Gus
tomary 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 q deliberate cour-
tesy, muttering a greeting in his own
tongue. He spoke no English, and it was
through the medium of Tim Blake that
he offered us hospitality. 1t was no
time for explanations, so, guarding Mar
nae between us, we hurried down to a
large cabin where warm garments and
Aeaming cups Of hot coffee and
sugar were brought by the worthy Irish
water were brought by the worthy iran.
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.
Il 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 Aarnac. Remember, do not let
him out of your sight for a moment"
VERY WE'LL" l said, and he strobe off
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 rat
surprised in an iron gin. l had so great
a horror and detestation of the man that
his mere presence was a source of phys
ical discomfort to me; and when, sitting
up amongst his wraps, he commenced to
poster me with questions. l could endure
it no longer. l retired outside the cabin,
seating myself with my back to the door.
l was as well there, l argued, as in the
interior, and in position infinitely more
satisfactory to myself.
The garments they had lent me were
thick and warm; the dose of brandy had
been considerable. I 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 1 fell
soundly asleep.
1t was Graden who woke me, very
angry and exasperated Graden who
shook my senses into with with unnec-
essary violence. / started up, protest
ing against his treatment.
81 thought better of you than this, y
he said, with his hand still fixed in my
collar.
my back was against the door. He
could not pass without waking me. What
does it matterT l grumbled, with every
sign Of irritation.
at told you to watch him. to stay In.