The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-13

AT distance OF about half mile from
the house the level ridge of the chain OF
hills was interrupted by a lofty hum
mock. rising some two hundred feet high
er than the hills themselves affording a
capital lookout: and 10 this spot first
OF all directed my steps On arriving at
the place. however I found the growth
OF timber TO be so thick as 10 completely
exclude the prospect: and the only means
whereby / could take advantage OF my
superior elevation. therefore, was TO climb
a tree. / accordingly looked about me.
and at last picked out an immense fellow
whose towering height seemed TO prom
ise me an uninterrupted view; and, aided
by the tough. rope-like creepers which
depended from its branches, ! soon reach
ed it's top. From this commanding posi-
tion l obtained. as | had expected, an un-
broken view Of the country all round me
for a distance OF at least thirty miles.
The river was naturally a prominent OBJ
5ect In the landscape, and, exactly oppo-
site me, was about three miles In width,
though. In consequence OF the numerous
islands which crowded its channel, the
waterway was scarcely anywhere more
than half a mile in width. These Islands
ceased about four miles lower down the
river. leaving the channel perfectly clear;
but they extended up the river I'm an un-
horizon. But what gratihed me most was
the discovery that I'm clear weather, such
as happened 10 prevail Just then could
see right down TO the mouth of the river
Shark Point being Just discernible on the
western horizon. Boolambemba Point
was clearly defined: and | felt convinced
that. on fine day and with a good tel
escope. I should be able to. see and even
TO identify the Daphne, should she hap
a.. -,
the time.
This important point settled. 7 turned
my attention to matters nearer at hand,
and began to look about me for the creek,
the existence OF which I so strongly sus-
pected. For a few minutes l was unable
10 locate IT,; but suddenly my eye, wan
dering over the vast sea of vegetation
which lay spread out beneath me. became
arrested by the appearance of slender.
straight object projecting a few feet
above the tree-tops. A careful scrutiny
OF this object satisfied me that II must
be the masthead of ship; and where
the ship was, there, too would be the
creek. Doubtless the craft lying there so
snug. and in so suspiclously secret a har-
Dor, was the ono to which our rather in
solent acquaintance. MADEIRA, belonged;
and curiosity strongly prompted me to
have a look at her. Accordingly. taking
her bearings by the position OF the sun, I
descended the tree and set out upon my
quest
estimated that she was distant from
my viewpoint about two miles. and about
one mile from Don Manuel's house. A
walk OF perhaps three-quarters OF an hour
conducted me TO the edge of a mangrove
swamp: and | knew then that the creek
must be at no great distance. Plungng
boldly into the swamp, / made my way
as best could over the tangled roots in
what l deemed the proper direction. and
after n toilsome scramble of another
quarter OF an hour found myself at the
waters edge.
The creek was precisely similar in char
acter to all the others with which l had
previously made acquaintance but so
narrow and shallow at the point where I
had hit II off that | saw at once, TO my
yexation that | must have further
scramble among the mangrove-roots ex-
posed all the while to the attacks of
countless hosts OF bloodthirsty moequi-
toes, II would crafty my desire
And. having gone so far l determined
not to- turn back until had satisfied my
curiosity; so on | went. My pace over
such broken ground was naturally not
very brisk, so that II was fully an hour
later before I found myself standing
we'll concealed behind an Intervening tree
small but beautifully
modelled schooner, moored head and stern
close alongside the opposite bank. She
was a craft OF about 100 tons register.
painted gray. with very lofty spars, top
eai-rigged forward. very little standing
rigging, and n most wicked look all over.
When ! put In my unobtrusive appearance
the crew were busy with couple of long,
untrimmed pine spars. the ends OF which
they were getting ashore. few minutes
observation sufficed 20 satisfy me that
they were rigging a gangway; and. set-
Ting myself comfortably In a position
where my presence could not be detected.
determined TO see the matter out. Hooked
carefully for Senor MADEIRA on board. but
was unable TO detect his presence; there
fore concluded that. unlikely az such
eupposition seemed. he had left the ship
20 make an early cali upon Don Manuel.