Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-14
CHAPTER rII-Continued.

They spent 4 busy forenoon winding up
the threads of their own affairs and spin
ming fresh ones for the future. The book
ing clerk at the office of the Golden Cross
line had hidden them be on board their
steamer. the Hilario by 4, but they found
time to seek O'Dare in all his usual
! hatints before that hour. and. in the end
reluctantly came to the conclusion that
they must count him out. of their plans.
Another disappointment was in store
! for them when they drew up, on their
| way to the dock, In front Of Fiji FlOrian's
modest lodging.
| The woman there informed them that
the girl had given up her room that
morning and Corbyns added inquiries
only elected the sulky supposition that
she had perhaps found work In some
other quarter of the city.
THAT must be it, he said. more hope
| fully, and, having left word for her. in
! case she should return. that she would
hear Of sonnet hing to her advantage by
| ca ling at their bankers. they went on.
We've done the best we can for her
and Denny. Corbyn assured himself Il
only wish we could have found them
| both t-
When they got to the pier from which
| the G. G. boats start once fortnight for
La Boca It was already in state of fer
| ment. They gathered from the sulphur
Gus conversation of truckmen and steve
dores that consignment Of cargo which
ought to have been on board the day be-
| fore had been kept back till the last
minute. greatly to the hardship of those
| who had now to handle it.
"They must be a. musical lot In San
Benfto.'' said Allardyce laughingly, and
pointed to a solid square of packing cases
all bearing labels which announced that
| they contained pianos and must, there
| fore. be treated tenderlS.
who's that chap watching us so close
| 1y?" he whispered Keep still for a mo-
ment and then look round"
| His friend obeyed him. why. it's my
worthy friend Gonzalez he answered.
And what sight
| 1t was the individual in question. but
so disguised that it would have been diff
| cult to swear to his identity. FIe was
wearing a great fur-lined overcoat. his
! head was bandaged in black scarf. he
| had soft hat pulled we'll down over his
| face. and spectacles upon his nose: hut
for the tell-tale wig which showed be-
tween the brim Of his hat and his up
turned coat collar he would scarcely have
been recognizable.
TN have a word with him said Cor
byn. impulsively. He may know some
thing Of Dennis O'Dare."
lie hurried forward. but the .fur-lined
! coat became at once invisible, nor could
he find It anywhere about the pier. He
came pack 01SCOncefteulV anu followed
his friend up the gangway.
a sulky steward showed them to their
berths within a dingy stateroom on one
side Of the old-fashioned poop cabin. and.
after they had bestowed their scanty be-
longings in such wise as to discourage
intrusion. they went on deck again, to
kick their heels there until dinner time.
Few Of their fellow passengers appeared
at that function. and such as there were
did not impress them favorably They
4 H. ~ASr
ing high and low on the Hilario and
heard but dimly the hoarse blast from
her steam siren which proclaimed the
hour Of departure. am.
The Golden Cross line was govern
mental concern, the property Of the re-
public Of San Benito. and, needless to
say. it paid no dividends. In its case
might was right regarding any ready
cash that came into its Golfers; the hap
less folk who parted with good money
ancient vessels received considerably less
attention on them than did the unfailing
"deadheads.''
They treat US like lot of stow
he and Corbyn paced the poop together
after breakfast. watching the land lie
down below the quarter rail. Somehow
! don't think that we're going to enjoy
this trip. old chap"
Il shall be thankful II We get there
SAFELY Corbyn answered. 1T will be
less amusing still If it comes on to blow.
I've never seen shadier-looking lot of
navigators outside Sheepshead bay. The
skipper jars me worse than dentists
drill
Il don't half like the looks of our
cabin companions either added the Eng
lishman. The crowd that buzzed on
board after we went 10 bed comes from
man. | don't mind betting that there
will be trouble stirring when they get
ashore"
The atmosphere on the Hilario seemed.
indeed. to be one OF mutual distrust and
suspicion. No one had a good word to
say to the two English-speaking pas
sengers, and when they happened to ap-
proach one or another OF the whispering
groups which were forever forming, it
would melt away. TO coslesce again in a
different corner. Wherefore they made
no overture to any one. but passed the
time in unbroken partnership.
The days were long and dull. but seven
of them made a week. and on the Sun
BY nightfall they had cleared the islands
and were heading for the harbor of La
Roca.
There was no wind. The tropic tenn
pcrature was sitting. most 1nalodor-
GUS and alI-pervading incense made life
below unbearable.
Corbyn and .Allardyce sought refuge
from it I'm the shadow Of the after wheel
house. and made their minds up to re-
ma i'm on deck till dawn should bring a
cooler hour or two.
They had smoked their final pipes wers
ncdding drOwsily I'm their uncomfortable
seats. when from amidships there broke
forth sudden uprOar. and. while they
rubbed their eyes. a struggling mob be-
sieged the bridge and charthouse.
The whip-Hke crack of a revolver set
them fumblng a their own belts and. as
they drew the weapons there. was an
swerad by another and another. Some
one laid hands upon the whistle cord and
set the siren screaming. another lit
blue light. and It's fara showed a dark
ma SIS of men swarming about the quarter
deck.
The officer on watch was standing with
his hands above his head, and. while he
waited helplessly. his fellows were
brought forth and bundled up to the
bridge beside him. The whistle cord was
cut and heavy silence supervened.
The two men aft were too far off to in
terfere even IL they had desired TO do 80.
The tumuh had died down before they
could come TO any understanding of the
| incident
Its mutiny." said Corbyn. as the noise
| ceased. ITS barratry." amended Altar
| dyce. .'Barratry on the high seas. Our
sporting friends have seized tine ship.
| The crew are quiet as mice.
| The moon showed over the horizon
! and its silver radiance cut clear swathe
| across the gloom.
Come inside" Cnrbyn. whispered and
drew his friend after him as he slipped
cautiously into the tiny shelter at their