Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-24
Coke's saIlorlike acumen prevented the
commission Of that blunder.

mo; that will never do" he salt
with irritating Offhandness. "Thes
jokers will be found at daylight. IN
they'll be able t6 say Exactly wo
time we quit. The wimmin can maxi
out they was scared stih an darsen
stir. It 'ud be different with the so
| jers. An we amt goin' to have sucl
a 'eartbreakin' start, even II the cruise
clears away soon after 2 o'clock"
where do you propose to make for!
"Where dye think, mister? Nor
east by nor, to be sure, until we sigh
some homeward bound ship"
"You> Jnean to abandon everything
then?' said De Sylvia. He seemed t.
be watching the onward sweep OF thu
searchlight as the warship went to th'
north. But Coke was shrewd. He fel
that there was something behind th'
words, and he suspected the ex-presi
dents motives.
81 don't see any 'elp for It," he an
swered. CORDS trewth, wOt Is there
to abandon? I've lost me ship, an mt
money. an me papers, an 'arf me men
Unless one was lookin' for trouble
this amt no treasure island, mister"
"Yet it might be made one"
LAS how?"
do you not realize how greatly the
members Of the present government,
fear my return to Brazil? Here l an
their prisoner, practically friendless
almost alone. They dare not kill me
by process Of law, yet they are NOV
ing heaven and earth to prevent my
escape or shoot me down in the act
Why? Because they know that the
people are longing to hail me as pres
ident again. Suppose you and your
men took me to PernambucO."
"S'pose Halifax snapped Coke.
"Please listen. You can but refuse
when you look at the facts fairly. If
as say, I were put ashore at Pernam
buco, or at any other Of half dozen
ports I can name, should be among
my own followers. You. Captain
Coke, and every officer and man OF
your ship and her owners and the rel
Rtives Of those who have lost theil
lives would not only be paid all just
claims by the new government, but
adequately rewarded. In your own
case the recompense would be prince
ly; but, assuming that we board a YES
sci bound for Europe, what certainty
have you that you will ever receive Il
penny"
"Oh, RELY, that's comm 1t bit
thick, mister" grOwled Coke.
you believe l am exaggerating the
difficulties Of your position? Pray con
slider. Your vessel Is broken up. She
was fired on while at anchor on the
wrong side Of the island, on the very
day selected for my escape You and
your men manage to dodge the bullets
and, under my leadership, assisted by
Captain San Benavides, you overrun
the place by night, kill several soldiers
seize a launch, despoil peasants OF
their crops and stores and make of
with a good deal of property belonging
to the Brazilian government, not to
mention the presence in your midst OF
such significant parsonage as myself
Speaking candidly, Senior Captain
what chance have you Of convincing
any international court Of your limo.
cence? Who will believe that you were
not true tilibusterT
"Wot exactly Is your offer?"
ample compensation officially. Five
thousand pounds to you In person"
Five thOusand.' Coke cleared a
throat husky with doubt THAT 'ud
make things pretty easy for the missus
an the girls" he muttered. AN
there's no new ship for me wen
Dickey Bulmer cocks is eye at Hozier.
It's q moral there'll be holy row be-
tween I'm an David. Dye mean it,
mister?"
Even II | fail and my life Is spared
I will pay you the money out OF my
own private funds" was the vehement
reply.
"Well, well, leave the job to me-"
II promise on my honor" De Sylvia
began.
But the nearer surface Of the sea
flashed into dazzling distinctness,
and Coke dragged him down to the
launch. The cruiser had rounded Rat
island and was devoting one sweeping
glance eastward ere she sought her
prey In creek or tortuous channel.
At last after wearying delay sh'
vanished Five minutes later Watt'
and Olsen brought the welcome new
that she was returning to the road
stead.
It was then half past 2 o'clock. anl
the sun would rise soon after 5. Now
or never the launch must make her ef