Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-10-17
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
Michael Aloysius o'connor.
The grun captain came out OF the
cabin and uttered a string OF oaths
when he beheld the dripping. gasping
Jerry standing before him.
"You-you! Didn't I tell you that
you couldn't ride on this boat?" he
Numbered. advancing with set teeth
and clenched hands.
Il hauled him out OF the water after
he saved the mans valise." volun-
teered the jackie who had used the
hook.
'Couidnt Won have thrown the valise
on without trying TO follow it?" roared
the officer. now thoroughly Infatuated.
Il couldn't let go OF # in time" ex-
claimed Jerry. Cant you see I'm
nearly drownedg"
The loud talking attracted TO the
deck the man who had left the valise
on the pier
Who is he? Where is he going7
How did ne get on7" he anerilv
snapped, closely sCruunizing the we'll
soaked Jerry.
He fen into the water trying to
set your forgotten valise on" said the
captain. To-day he begged me to
take him 20 Vera Cruz never saw
him before. He said he had some
money"
why do YOU want 90 go TO Vera
CRUZ asked the frowning stranger. A
tall. yellow-skirned. smooth faced man
wearing a silk hat
My brother Isis dying there" lied
Jerry. Affecting a touch OF sadness.
and ] didn't want Co lose any time ia
getting Co him. 7 think the soaking
] got is worth TIM trip. but I am will.
ing 10 give mp what little money I
possess"
Without another word the stranger
went into The cabin. returning almost
Immediately with his male companion.
Cant we send him back TO the
pier" De asked
Yes answered the captain. III
you arc willing to wait until one OF nav
mon goes ana returns. can't snare
single man of the crew tonight
below Che limit already"
We'll. then. let him stay" said one
or the strangers. kurliug a hard look
az Jerry. we don't want 20 lose an
extra minute. The start has been late
enough as 10 is." with Ibis ON his Inns
he and the other disappeared into the
cabin
Jerry was hoaving SIGH that car.
ried unspeakshle relief with 70 when
the captain grabbed him by the arm
and hustled him downstairs. How
much money have youc" De snapped.
About 500 Mex" was the answer
II had hoped 20 work my way over.
so that I could care for my brother
with the money. It's simply a case OF
tough luck sir. that's all"
Well. you may keep your money
FOR saving The vnlise. but you'll have
20 earn every zach ~ your way" The
captain took Jerry 10 the engine room.
where he turned him over 10 a kindly.
faced. mid i'e-a~od engineer.
Keep him here below" ordered the
captain. Keep him busy an the time"
After the omcer had returned to the
deck The eng. neer lighted his pipe. sat
down on stool. and carefully looked
the young fellow over.
Wants you 10 h-.tle. eh?" he nnal-
- AAi-s lll Tn ID. n Ahel were the
first words in English that Jerry had
heard since be last talked with Ma
rina. whose knowledge Of the tongue
was almost a thorough as that OF
Spanish. There's a heap o. work
down here. How'd you get on. any
way?"
Jerry told about the plunge into the
watet, following with the "dylng-bro
e. story. His apparent sadness
when he referred TO poor Alexander"
touched the engineers heart and
brought forth an expression Of sincere
sympathy.
But how comes II you speak Eng
ish so wel2" queried the engineer.
I'm from New York. but I've been
globetrottng. running. walking and
swimming for about a year." was the
response.
Il kind o. noticed when you come
in that you didn't have the yellow
skin. From New York, Ell? Well.
I'm glad to see you. anyway, and
hate TO see you humpin' in this DIRTY