Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-18
CHAPTER V-Continued.

CHAPTER V-Continued.
4 spitfre fusillade lifted fountains Of
spray all round them as the bullets took
the water with a hollow plupp. They
Owed. and once more came up floating.
only nose and forehead above the surface.
but still the leaden storm encompassed
them sudden needle-like pain in the
calf of one leg caused Corbyn to kick
spasmodicaly. and his involuntary action
brought down on them closer shower.
Their position was well-nigh desperate.
when. out of the immediate darkness.
there bore down upon them with the rush
of racer a little low. gray launch.
which slowed. and stopped. and backed
and stopped again almost on top OF them.
Two boat hooks caught them by the col
lars. dragging them alongside. Strong
hands hOisted them helplessly on board
4 heavy body overbore them, and. while
they lay there struggling vainly, she
sprang forward quivering and went
swishing out to sea-
A ceaseless rifle fire enveloped her until
al last she had run out Of range. but still
she was kept going. When distance had
curtained her from the relentless hght
she was slowed down a little and a voice
said. Root out the rum. Mickey. and
your dago brethren here no harm.
'Dago yourself.' interpolated Altar
dyce. Indignantly. We're white men.
What are you
Better say Bourbon. Mick. the voice
continued cheerily. Excuse me. boys
I ought to have asked the color of your
compile ons. but
Let me apologize. said the English
man. sitting up II thought you were
the enemy. and-you're American?
IT., r>.I,
Wireless owns me. Ny names Challoner.
Here's the rye-drink hearty.
They both obeyed. with great good will,
and felt much the better of their captor s
prescription. I'D give you cigar he
added. but it would be too dangerous
ashore I'll head back for La Boca now.
and. by the way. we'll have time to swap
stories.
Il suppose you know there's trouble
afoot in this cursed country. That's why
I'm inha biting it
What sort of trouble?" Corbyn asked.
curiously. as the light craft turned al
most on her heel and held a straight
course for the far-off lights.
Two sorts the correspondent an
swered. careless'y. Ones civil war. the
other-woman My business is with the
former
somewhat awkward silence super
vened He seemed to be awaiting their
reciprocal confidence. but neither felt In
clined to mislead him. on the one hand.
in such company as that from which they
had been so abruptly severed
He spoke again himself. A rose he
said ''by any other name
Mines AHardyce. said that youth.
frankly.
And your friends is Corbyn" Chal-
loner concluded in whisper. I'm glad
to meet YOU both
We're rather more than thankful that
you met u.s." Corbyn assured him.
But how do you happen to know who
We are?'
Their rescuer cogitated for time be-
fore he answered. and then spoke swiftly
In low tone: My man Miguel's a good
fellow said he. but. all the same. l
never open my mouth too wide when he's
about.
They're cruel devils in this locality.
and very apt to screw what information
they want out of native: so that II s
safer to say little and listen lot.
Now I want you gentlemen to under
stand that I'm here for T my paper only
war news. and I supply it. You know
what that means. Mr.. Allardyce. You
don't remember me. but we met at Pinar
del Rio in '9S.'
II was there for the British News bu-
reau,' the Englishman answered,
Out
And I was working for the Wireless,
in the costume of teamster." the other
explained. Il wanted very badly to Dor
row some tobacco from you. but the
Spaniards were so suspicious that didn't
dare to look your way.
on the Hilario, and when the Mar1posa
brought her in I thought I'd take a run
round the bay.
Every one here knows what her cargo
was and as soon as the president came
cavorting down from the capital it was
easy to foresee trouble for those on
board. They call him the Tiger of San
Benito-and he's proud of his reputation
But here you both are: safe and
sound. in spite OF him, which Is good
enough to go on with.
That was all that passed at the mo-
ment. but the two drenched adventures
surmised that he knew something of the
errand which had brought them there.
They would have asked further oues-
tions. but Stand by" said Challoner
suddenly They're after us
Against the glare ashore they saw
dim black shape. which became a boat
as they bore down upon it under their
own impetus. A stumpy funnel showed
ii to be a steam launch. The land breeze
brought to their ears the echo of angry
voices.
II tell you she put out to sea" one
was protesting. volubly. There's no
such craft belonging to this port. and.
willie we're pottering about here they'll
have made a landing behind Punta
Gorda.''
"Por dos then" another cried. and he
spoke like Gonzalez. put us about and
get back to the Mariposa. His excel
lency will be wild with us and all the
wilder IL we keep him waiting.
1T may be that the cookie shell has
sunk Some of our bullets must have
bitten through her"
Hist. snapped the first "A light
here. quick
He was obeyed. and big lamp shone
forth across the water.
Duck down.. commanded Challoner.
we're going to get IT.
Hardly had he spoken when the dancing
rays descended upon his head and shout
ders. where he was sitting up to steer.
and. with a howl of triumph. those on
board the steamer gave the order to head
after him.
Zip-zsss-s-s bullet came whisting
past. and others followed. 1t was evil
dent that the enemy was we'll armed and
little disposed to offer quarter.
The motor boat held a straight course
across their bows. Ram her.! Con-
zalez screamed. ecstatically.
Sit tight said Challoner and took
both hands To the tiller
He turned her almost souarey off her
course. and she careened to starboard till
she all hut overturned. but still she shot
ahead. and the very suddennesS OF the
movement Disconnected her pursuers.
Corbyn. looking back. saw one of the
men in the boat level rifle very care