Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-27
watched him earnestly, already be-
5imlv tn nerce,vo In oil +has .

! watched him earnestly, already be-
ginning dimly to perceive in all this .
possible opening for my own escape.
"Warf" repeated. And declared
to-day? It has come suddenly, al
though I am aware there have been
months OF controversy. Did Peru ex-
Dect such result? Is she prepared"
he paused in his nervous walk. his
hands outspread on the table, his dark
eyes glowing into mine.
Both yes and no, senior. We knew
Well that nothing save war could ever
wipe out the Chilean insults to our
country. Yet we hoped for more time
In which to prepare. Cielo! it is not
lack of memo! no! the army Is
strong, valiant, senior; it will fight to
the death. But the navy! Dios de
dos! we have not the ships, senior.
They come not yet. those we have
bought In Europe. IT'S that which has
brought me here In disguise to VAL
paraiso; tits that which brings me now
70 you.''
l watched him closely without ven
turing response, and he sank into q
chair, his elbows on the table.
Isl, now explain it all to you" his
voice falling so low could scarcely
follow. Eve know for two weeks past
war was to come. We have only a
few warships, one, two, three; not
enough to fight Chile, or even guard
our own coast. We have the men suf-
dcient, but not the ships, senior. What
could do? I, the admiral? There
was but one hope-the audacity of sur
prise. They must be taken from the
enemy: we must strike the first blow,
and at the very heart Of the Chilean
navy. come here incognito; come
before war has been declared; I study
and observe. To brave man chances
Tor action come, senor, and so I found
what / sought. You know about the
Esmeralda, senor?"
I sat up suddenly In my chair, grip
ping my cigar between my teeth.
THE Esmeralda! You mean that
steam yacht the Chilean government
purchased from Brazil?"
ISL" his eyes glowing eagerly; you
IRE sailor, and 30 would know Of
her. She is beautiful, strong, swift,
most dangerous vessel if we'll
handled. Have you ever seen her,
Denor?"
"only through feld-glasses from
The balcony of the hotel. She rode at
anchor we'll of the government mole
h the roadstead the last I remember"
He clasped his nngeas on my arm,
leaning eagerly forward until his face
Vas pressed close to mine.
'She lies there yet, senior, but only
Tor to-night-Dios de Dios! only for
to-night! Tomorrow they warp her
IN beside the quay, her crew comes
aboard, her armament, her provisions,
Ind she is made ready for sea. Holy
mother. such chance, and only for
}o-night! Think Of 1t, senior, and won
Ter no longer if seemed crazed. She
Hes out there now in the darkness,
swinging to q single anchor chain. her
steam up. the nearest battery quar-
Ger OF q mile away, and not a half
Hozen mon aboard her. It IL as a gift
pf heaven. Yet, sangre de Cristo! he
who should lead the venture lies de.
nrious fsom fever. Was there eve
such cursed luck before!" He grfppe
This head between his two hands, bu
u war already upon my feet, my min
Instantly grasping the situation.
don Emilio" exclaimed, eagerly
gripping his shoulder, and compellin
him to look up, 'let me understan
this, clearly. You had perfected plan
to capture and run OF this Esmel
aida the moment war was formally dc
clared? You have organised GREY
for the work, and they are waiting tn
word here now in Valparaiso? Thei
leader is suddenly stricken ILL., an,
you have no one capable Of taking hi
places that why you have come {,
met"
Isl, 81, senor.s
4 "How did you learn about me?''
From Senior Loring. He has Hve'
In Peru. have known him long"
"But you must have other officers Il
your party; what Of them?"
He spread his hands in q gesture o
utter helplessness.
Senior, brought with me only tn
one. It was not safe to bring more
Besides, what need? This valparais,
1s q great seaport; here we may al
ways ind the scum Of the seven seas
here ever are plenty of men gla'
enough to fight and plunder-'tis thei
trade. Cielo! we could enroll 10|
devils in an hour along the water
front, hell-hounds Of the ocean, caring
nothing for the nag above them il tn
, pay be good"
"True; and you have them ready a
hand. Where are they?"
AT the wine shop OF RodT;saes be
yond the plaza. You, know the place?
I nodded, my memory instantly re
calling the foul den.
How mRny?"
a Twenty-it is enough for a SUI
prise, and they are searats, senor."
B; But they are under officers?"
"Of their own kind, yes, but not o
our navy. The first officer is Van
kee whaleman; the second I know no
what. only he II a dsep-water sailor.
Il see" acknowledged, taking
long breath, yet continuing to stare a
him. "What you need is some one abb,
TO command such an outfit, one VIII,
can operate steamship"
Like fash the omcial envelop,
I eame forth again.
ISL, 81, and you can do that, senior
] know; have been told. You hat,