The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-01-05

The Esmeralda! You mean that
steam yacht the Chilean government
purchased from BRAZIL"
Isl" his eyes glowing eagerly: you
are . sailor. and 80 would know Of
her. She is beautiful. strong, swift,
q most dangerous vessel II well
handled. Have you ever seen her.
senor?"
only through neld-glasses from
the balcony of the hotel. She rode at
anchor well OF 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 q chance, and only for
tonight! Think of It. senior, and won
der no longer II seemed crazed. She
lies out there now in the darkness,
swinging to a single anchor chain, her
steam up. the nearest battery a quar-
ter of a mile away. and not q half
dozen men aboard her. 1t is as q gift
Of heaven. Yet, sangre de Cristo! he
who should lead the venture lies de-
nrious from fever. Was there ever
such cursed luck before!" He gripped
his head between his two hands, but
l was already upon my feet. my mind
instantly grasping the situation.
Don Emilio" I exclaimed. eagerly.
gripping his shoulder. and compelling
him to look up. let me understand
this clearly. You had perfected plans
to capture and run of this Esmer-
aida the moment war was formally de-
clared? You have organized 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?"
Isl. 81, senor."
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.
''Senor, brought with me only the
one. 1t was not safe to bring more.
Besides, what need? This Valparaiso
is a 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 if the
pay be good"
True; and you have them ready at
hand. Where are they?"
AT the wine shop of Rodrigues be-
yond the plaza. You know the placer"
nodded, my memory instantly re-
calling the foul den.
How many?"
Twenty-it is enough for sur.
prise. and they are sea-rats, senior"
But they are under officers?"
''Of their own kind. yes. but not of
our navy. The first officer is a Yam
kee whaleman; the second l know not
what, only he is deep-water sailor"
Il see." acknowledged. taking a
long breath, yet continuing to stare at
him. What you need Is some one able
to command such an outfit. one who
can operate q steamship"
Like a fash the Official envelope
came forth again. -.---
Isl. 81. 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 I possess the |
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. l write in |
your name; that makes you an officer
If the Peruvian navy. See you what II
means? Chile dare not touch you ex.
.ept as prisoner of war. Is that not
light. senior? But not stop even with
hat-no, no! When the Esmeralds
comes safely to Peru, the government
rays you five thousand American dol
ars in gold. I pledge you that.
emilio de Castillo. admiral"