Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-05

an finally, huntin' goods to peddle
among the islanders, we sailed into
Valparaiso, an the most Of us shipped
out. Well, by that time 1 wasn't
thinkin' very often about that ice
ship down in the Antar'tic; l was
hustlfn' for some sort O. berth to take
me back to the States. But one night,
down in Rodrigues' back room, where
hung out, got to talkin' with a
gambler named Francisco-the same
smooth duck who introduced himself
as De Castillo to you. sir. He was an
educated man, an seemed to like to
hear me talk, an among other sea
yarns happened to tell him this one.
He seemed mighty interested, although
he wasn't never given to seafarin',
an asked me whole pile O. fool ques-
tions. Finally he wanted to meet me
again alone the next day.
well, having nothin' better to do.
was there when he came, an he
showed up with a queerlookin', big,
OIL book, the cover half ripped of,
under his arm. Then he made me- tell
him that yarn over again, and de-
scribe the ship jest exactly as I re-
membered it. Then, when I'd got
through, an told him everything
could dig out O. my memory, he opened
up that book O. his on the table, an
damme, sir, If he didn't show me a
picture of that same OIL hooker, plain
as life, only everything was trim an
shipshape on board. with the masts up
an the sails drawin'. The name was
printed underneath, too-Donna Isa-
bel, Cadiz.
THAT book he showed me was
printed in Spanish-not just like what
you see to-day, sir, but the letterin' all
rough, as though it had been cut out
O. wood, but the fellow showed me the
date when it was printed, an 1t read
Seville, 1779,' plain enough. Francisco
! wrote out in English what he said was
printed there about this Donna Isa-
bel: an there 1t is, sir, in his own
handwritin'."
He took the paper out Of his inner
coat pocket and spread it open on
the table before us. De Nova and
Anderson leaned forward eagerly to
look at 1t, but Tuttle showed 1t along
toward me.
Read it out loud, sir" he said, his
voice trembling. The writing was not
clear, and held it up to the light.
"Galleon Donna Isabel, ship-rigged,
$50 tons, Amador, Master. built 1870,
home port Cadiz. Sailed Guayaquil
for Valencia, June II, 1853; crew num-
bered 80, passengers II, including i've
women; carried treasure, in gold In
gots and pieces of eight, valued at
100000 pesos, consigned by CapSa-
mo, presidente, to department Of the
west, receipted for by Salvatore, gov
eminent agent. Spoken by ship Con.
quistador, Sanchez, master, July 16,
1883, 80 degrees 20 minutes west and
AZ degrees Is minutes south; all well.
Lost at sea: no report"
put down the paper, and looked
across at futile; he sat motionless.
his head in his hands. confess tina
tale had affected me strangely. and I
could not doubt that the man honestly
believed every word he had uttered.
Yet it was far too marvellous ever to
be true; too impossible; too wildly
romantic. It must have been hallu-
cination, an optical illusion born from
q mirage of fog and sun in those
frozen seas. Over 100000 pesos.
locked within the eternal ice for 1926
years! Over 100000 pesos, guarded
by the dead for century amid that
grim desolation Of crested sea! God!
1t was simply unthinkable, and even
ventured to smile at the credulity of
the men about me; yet did it with
set jaws and lips parched and dry.
What il it was all true? I felt the
blood boiling up through my veins,
every extremity tingling with the
fever Of 1t. Over 100000 pesos!
Merciful mother! 1t was the ransom Of
king; 1t was the temptation of hell!
, I know not how controlled my voice
SO as to question calmly, for, even
as first spoke, noticed how my
hands trembled where they rested on
the outspread map.
els that all?"
futile nodded his head, uplifting
his eyes questioningly to mine.
That's the whole Of 1t, sir. What
do you think?"
That's more than l know, Mr.. Tut
tie. Perhaps you dreamed, perhaps
Francisco lied. / should have liked to
see that book
bent lower over the chart, staring
at the red cross.
what was it you men wanted me
for!"
ITO operate the steamer, sir; the
rest Of us aboard only understand
sailin' vessels"
YES, Of course; but why did you
happen to choose a steamer for the
job? There were plenty Of sailing
craft lying In the harbor easier to
steal than this yacht"
Very true, but 1t happened to be
steam power We wanted. Here !s
about how we figured 1t, sir. First
place. we had to get away quickly
out of those portions of the sea where
they'd be most likely to hunt for us.
We're outlaws, an every ship sailin'
under flag Is an enemy. Well, sir,
what chance would q sailin' vessel
have in such q chase? We needed
somethin' that would show 'em
clean pair O. hsels-somethin' that
would give 'em run for their money.
That's what this yacht can do: she's