The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-04-29


voice falling so low ! could scarcely
follow. We know for two weeks past
war was to come. We have only
few warships. one. two. three: not
enough to fight Chile. or even guard
our own coast We have the men suf,
ficient. but not the ships. senior. What
could I do? !. 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; study
and observe. To brave man chances
for action come. senior. and so | found
what sought. You know about the
Esmeralda, senor?"
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 BraziI?"
ST" his eyes glowing eagerly: you
are sailor. and so would know OF
her. She is beautiful. strong. swift
most dangerous vessel if well
handled Have you ever seen her
senor?"
Only through feldglasses from
the balcony of the hotel. She rode at
anchor well off the government mole
in the roadstead the last ! remember"
He clasped his fingers on my arm
leaning eagerly forward until his face
was pressed close TO mine.
She lies there yet. senior, but only
for to-night-Dios de Dios, ONLY for
tonight. Tomorrow they warp her
in beside the quay, her crew comes
aboard. her armament. her provisions
and she is made ready for sea HOLY
mother. such a chance. and only for
tonight, Think of It. senior. and won
der no longer if ! seemed crazed. She
lies out there now in the darkness
swinging to a single anchor chain he,
steam up. the nearest battery quar-
ter OF mile away. and not a half
dozen men aboard her It is as a gift
OF heaven. Yet sangre de Cristo, he
who should lead the venture lies de
iiriouS from fever. Was there ever
such cursed luck bafOre," He gripped
ais head between his two hands, but
| was already upon my feet, my mind
instantly Srasping the situation
Don Emilio" | exclaimed. eagerly,
gripping his shoulder and compelling
him to look up, let me understand
this clearly. You had perfected plans
TO capture and run off this Esmer-
aida the moment war was formally de-
Clared? You have organized a crew
for the work and they are waiting the
word here now in Valparaiso? Their
leader is suddenly stricken i'll, and
you have no one capable of taking his
PLACES that why you have come to
me?'
"Si, 81. senior"
How did you learn about me-"
From Senior Loring He has lived
in Peru. l have known him long"
But you must have other officers in
your party: what of them
He spread his hands in a gesture Of
utter helplessneSs.
Senior. | brought with me only the
one. It was not safe TO bring more.
Besides, what need? This Valparaiso
is great seaport; here we may al
ways find the scum of the seven seas;
here ever are plenty Of men glad
enough to fight and plunder-'tis their
trade Cielo, we could enroll 100
devils in an hour along the water.
front. hell-hounds OF the ocean, caring
nothing for the flag above them il the
pay be good"
True; and you have them ready at
hand. Where are they"
Al the wine shop OF Rodrigues be,
yond the plaza. You know the place."
nodded, my memory instantly re
calling the foul den.
How many"
"Twenty-it is enough for a sur
"But they are under officers"
of their own kind. yes. but not OF
our navy. The first officer is Van,
kee whaleman; the second ] know not
what, only he is a deep-water sailor
Il see" | acknowledged, taking
long breath. yet continuing to stare at
him. What you need is some one able
to command such an outfit, one who
can operate a steamship"
Like a fash the official envelope
came forth again.
81. ST and you can do that senior
! know: | have been told You hate
this Chile: you fight her already in the
hills you hide here now for your life
| come TO give you a chance to get
away free. But not stop even with
that; no. no, my country not stop
with that. See here | possess the
commission. all signed and sealed by
my government, of a captain in the
Peruvian navy. Only is the name left
blank for me to write in. | write in
your name; that makes you an officer
Of the Peruvian navy. See you what 1t
means? Chile dare not touch you ex-
Cept as prisoner Of war Is that not
right, senior? But | not stop even with
that-no no, When the Esmerada
comes safely to Peru the government
pays you five thousand American dol
lars in gold. / pledge you that |,
Emilio de Castillo, admiral"
I walked the floor twice from wall
to wall, thinking swiftly. the sodden
cigar cltnchpd tightly hatWaan NV