Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-12

|
II didn't lie, and I'll go anyway can't
disappoint Mr. Percival / don't dare to de-
lay. Oh, if l only could do i'll"
Mats eyes snapped, and his breath came
| in quick gasps. The venturesome and des-
perate in his nature had been aroused by a
suggestion that had come to his mind as his
glance fell upon the carriage he had noticed
on the wharf at his first visit there, earlier in
the day.
On the wharf still stood the carriage body,
vaguely outlined under its wa erJroof cover
ing. Near by, it's wheels and shafts were tied
together, encased in sacking.
"That carriage is going to Rio Janeiro; the
men said So" reflected Nat, approaching it.
"They haven't taken it aboard yet, but they
surely intend to. | wont be beatl No one
is near or looking. Do l dare? Will ] be
found out?"
Nat went round and round the ungainly par
eel of freight. 1t was, first of all, boxed
lsquare-that is, several boards formed sort
of eoop-and the ends of the axles rested
through holes cut into the boards. Then
there was waterproof cover, and under that
canvas cover around the fine leather top
and satin and plush-lned body Of the We
hicle
Nat reflected moment and decided. He
slipped through between two boards of the
frame without difficulty. Taking cut his
pocket-knife he cut piece of rope that ran
through eyelets in the waterproof and then
to staple in the bottom of the carriage
body. !
Under this Nat crept
He found himself tightly squeezed between
the waterproof and the canvas, which was
drawn taut. Rip, rip, the canvas gave at .
quick movement of the knife-blade. He bolt
ed over the dashboard of the carriage. the
flap he had cut came together again, and
then, little frightened at his rashness, Nat
sank among the soft cushions of the carriage
to recover breath and composure -,
Boxed and labeled right side up with care"
thought Nat, with an attempt at ehuekle
as he sat perfectly still and wondered what
the next move would be.
1t occurred to him that he was taking great
risks. The carriage might be slowed away IN
some dark corner of the hold and surrounded
with other freight, making him close prls-
oner but, as it had not been put aboard
earlier, he reasoned that it would occupy a
position near the matches. At least, when
not at sea- he could change his position, work
his way towards the deck and manifest HIM
self when he considered it safe to do so.
'I'll holler the roof off the hold if | get
cornered on food and drink" he decided,
grimly. But amt going to TorTy ~ the ne
get even this chance to get aboard heyi
Yes. Nat was lifting-that is, the vehicle in
which he had hidden himself was, and, OF
course, he went with it,
Footsteps sounded on the planks OF the
wharf, gruff voices echoed near him.
"Ahoy there mates, tackle this next!'
"Aye aye, sir!"
Handle her carefully It's a bang-up car
rage for Dom Petro, the emperor himself,
understand. Clamp on, hoist one, ahoy! hoist
one. ahoy, hoist one, ah-oo-o-oy!"
To the accompaniment of rough, musical
medley and vigorous pulls on the tackle, Nat
felt a strange exhilaration, bobbing about
buoyantly in air.
bump! and he knew that the framework was
in the hold of the steamer.
New hands seized it, pushed, lifted and slid
II along. and then it rested; only the echoing
clatter of other freight, delivered from tne
wharf and showed away, sounded on Mats
hearing.
Nat did not mind that. Safely bestowed for
the present, all he thought of just then was
keep perfectly ea s 6 and efR1 land
'sThere's nothing can do but worry, and
,ronit do that" soliloquized Nat, growing
weary of estimating his surroundings by the
sounds that reached his prison-place. IN
take nap"
scat and cushions of the vehicle were soft
pa nadded. and Nat smiled as he reflected
how desperately mad the owner of the car
r;age would be could the man know how it
was being utilized to harbor penniess stow
"She's afoatl"
Nat uttered the words in a startled yet
satisfied way as he awoke, how many hours
| later he could not surmise.
Not sound broke, the stiffness of the hold
| except the thump, thump of the machinery,
| the wash of the waves dashing against the
vessel and the occasional creak Of some timber
or shifting piece of freight.
! Overhead, once in awhile, a rafting chain,
| a hoarse hum like the wind or some one
shouting, sounded family.
| The steamer was under full Roadway; Nat
decided they were probably miles out at sea.
He tried to go to sleep again, but he was
slept out. His restless nature chafed at cloEs
confinement.
He managed to extricate himself from the
two coverings as he found the rent he had
made, and stood in blank darkness on some
kind of wicker-work package stuffed with
straw and merchandise.
wonder where l am-how near the