The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-01-21

that hole, God Almighty showed big
moon right up out of the earth so as
we could see that the poor devil had
thrown away his gun. With his hands
up In the air he looked as il he had
the moon on his shoulders and was
going to throw it at US fellows only
few yards away.
When he went tumbling backwards
down amongst the thorns, another took
his place and another and another.
each one of 'em standing up agin that
big, astonished moon for just minute
before they went tumbling backwards.
1t looked as If God was showing us
thing and we wouldn't believe. The
last few fought wish they all had.
The moon climbed up higher and high
er after that like as II it wanted to
get good look at us. 1t stared at us
the whole night through, and we
cursed. l can see em now-nothing
in their hands,"
"You shouldn't think of it." re-
marked, settling myself in the uncom.
Portable bunk.
The evening before we sighted Ten
eriffe, the Italian raised an objection
to Healy's stories. The mind Of the
sun-tanned giant was unusually fe-
cund. He dragged out horrors in end.
less procession-bare, gaunt horrors,
brought to life by the days of inaction
and the fierce tropical heat. The
Italian glanced nervously at Healy
and mentioned the doctor
Cru:ckshank laughed. Nonsense"
he SAID. Let him go ahead, it eases
his mind to tell them to u.s."
But the Italian cursed. The verbal
tabloids were beginning to affect his
nerves.
"out there" said Healy, waving his
hand westward, we"
"Out where?" interrupted Beere.
The story-teller was silent minute.
then went on, ignoring the questioner.
who tried to find the locality of the
incident that was under review in
Healy's mind. 'Out there we, Hor-
witZ, Fenelon and 1, went after four
of them that had escaped. Got
ahead of them and caught them as
they were fording the Limperi' above
the big falls. We just pushed 'em OF
with long saprings and kept them
drifting till the suck from the cataract
. caught their logs. Horwitz sang mt
/ goodbye but they didn't hear. Water
dropped hundred feet-roar like"
The Italian cursed. "You turn me
cold" he cried angrily.
Healy was excited, but we quieted
! him, and after a time he fell asleep.
Next day Teneriffe came up out OF
| the ocean, a line of small, fat clouds
| hanging like necklace round its bare
breast. The heat was sitting. We
churned slowly along till we were
| abreast of the pink. chrome and pale
blue splashes that mark Santa Cruz
We six from our cabin went ashore
together, but in the confusion at the
| landing jetty we were separated from
| Healy, much to the delight OF the
Italian, s.t-.-! - .
Near midnight we found Healy In q
little wine bodega near the Plaza. He
was acting peculiar, but he was not
drunk. Sometimes one gets intoxi-
| Gated In tropical places without drink
| ing to excess. We rambled through
the velvety night, through the narrow
streets where the faint tinkling of gui.
tars came to one like colored threads
of sound twisted into the darkness.
The angry Italian stalked in front:
Healy was still resurrecting those
horrors of the dark land that we had
left behind.
Stumbling back to the jetty In the
early morning. the wanderer was at
my side.
might like this" he murmured.
we struck that crowd with old Ger
latz-"
"Oh, shut up" cried angrily. Eight
horrors a day for two weeks had my
| nerves In bad state.
"Twasn't our fault" he mumbled.
they"
"Shut up," / yelled. / pushed him
towards Cruickshank. and walking
swiftly, 1 overlook the Italian.
The Gathering winches were hauling
I'D the last loads when we got aboard
and tumbled lazily into our berths.
Healy spoke like man under the in
fuence Of drug, and determined to
speak to the purser on the following
day.
1t must have been two hours later
when / awoke. Healy was tapping me
on the shoulder and pointing towards
the portfolio under which the Italian
was slumbering peacefully. A big
moon looked over the water line and
threw splash of silver right across
the sea.
Whats up?" asked sleepily.
Healy didn't answer. l rubbed my
eyes and looked at him. He had his
revolver leveled at the portfolio.
what is it?" / gasped.
There they are" he murmured.
They've jerked their guns away. but
we don't want prisoners"
Lay down. you fool" cried.
glanced again at the portfolio; piece
of rope hanging from the poop deck.
swept backwards and forwards across
the face of the moon.
That's the second" yelled Healy.
firing as the rope drifted by.
Cruickshank and / sprang at him.
but he lodged and rushed UP on the