The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-10-08
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.

Without waiting TO see what effect
the blow had had, Jerry was at the
hatchway snatching the life preserver
from its fastening. A moment later
after casting a final glance at the still
body Of the officer. he climbed over
the rail and dropped into the black
water.
Mike O'Connor's quick wits were
hard at work the moment after Jerry
announced his determination to leave
the vessel that night and to risk his
life in the waters of the harbor. Aft
er taking the launch in about 100
yards he suddenly stopped the ma
chinery and appeared to be worried.
Come come. man." impatiensy said
Andre, who sat nearest him. Why
do you not go on"
THE propeller is baking" answered
Mike, seeming to concentrate his
whole attention to part Of the ma
chinery. His sole purpose in stopping
the machinery was to afford Jerry all
possible time before effecting a land
ing The delay was not as long as he
intended it should be. for the i'm
patient, nervous Andre touched the
wheel that set the propeller in motion
again.
Mike made no excuse, but his wits
were working harder than ever. He
was as familiar with the waters and
the dockage of Vera Cruz as any sailor
that came to them. but this time he
determined to make his memory fail
ing. Instead OF drawing up at the
proper pier he nosed the boat into an
adjoining slip. discovering the mis-
take" only after he had gone 25 yards.
He exercised undue caution in swing
ing the launch around and in picking
his way to the right landing place.
which, judging from the conversation.
was familiar to Andre. AS he brought
the boat to a stop. he figured that he
had unnecessarily consumed about 20
minutes. He also knew. however, that
Jerry had not had time to reach the
pier. and there was a feeling deep in
his heart that he would not succeed
in getting to shore at all.
Andre and Felipe appeared very
nervous as they landed. each contin-
lially casting his eyes about and scan
ming the faces of the few men at the
landing. Mike assisted in taking
some luggage to the end of the pier,
where a closed carriage was In wait
ing. There was no other vehicle in
sight. and the quick-thinking Irish
American, unable to hear the instruc-
tons given the driver. noted the color
of the horses and got good look at
tho man on the box. Andre gave Mike
a coin, and the next moment the
horses were Gathering down the dark,
narrow street
Mike waited In the shadows at the
end of the pier for more than two
hours. and he was beginning 20 fear
all the more that Jerry had not sue
eee0ed In reaching shore when he saw
n small boat draw up at the landing
He got farther back In the shadowE
for he knew that the boat was from
the yacht. Presently the captain and
a member of the crew walked briskly
down the pier. stopping and looking
about within 20 feet from where he
was hidden.
Hes had more than plenty of time
To get back" fumed the captain. who
wore a bandage over his eye, "and
he is in league With that other fellow
What a damned fool | was to trust an
American"
The conversation that followed in
dictated to Mike that the jackie was II
the captains confidence.
you know where they went from
herey" asked the jackie.
ITO a house Ia Celle Cordoba,
think" said the officer. II don't know
where Il Is. and II viii be impossible