Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1911-01-04
confidence was reborn in them.

thrusting her nose into the mud and
shingle of this malevolent island.
To his further annoyance, San Bena-
vides. who depended on his compatriot
for a summary of the latest scheme,
asked Iris to accompany De Sylvia and
himself to the hut.
''They are stupid creatures, these
peasants" he said. "When they see
you they will not be frightened"
There was so much reason In the
statement that Iris was ready volun-
teer. Soon all hands were at work,
and it was due to the girls forethought
that strips Of linen were procured from
Luisa Gomez and healing herbs ap-
piled to the cuts and bruises of the in |
jured men. Sylvia was for leaving |
the two soldiers on the island, but
Coke's sailorlike acumen prevented the
commission of that blunder.
"No; that will never do" he said
with irritating offhandness. These
jokers will be found at daylight, an
they'll be able to say exactly wot
| time we quit. The wimmin can make
out they was scared stiff an darsent
stir. 1t 'ud be different with the So
jers. An we amt goin' to have such
a eartbreakin' start, even If the cruiser
clears away soon after o'clock"
"Where do you propose to make forT
"Where dye think, mister? Nor
east by nor. to be sure, until we sight
some homeward bound ship"
"You mean to abandon everything,
then?" said De Sylvia. He seemed to
be watching the onward sweep Of the
searchlight as the warship went to the
north. But Coke was shrewd. He felt
that there was something behind the
words, and he suspected the ex-presi-
dents motives.
81 don't see any 'elp for It," he an
swered. "Gord's trewth, wot is there
to abandon? I've lost me ship, an me
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."
"As how?'
"Do you not realize how greatly the
members of the present government
fear my return to Brazil? Here | am
their prisoner, practically friendless,
Utmost 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 Halifaxv' snapped Coke.
"Please listen. You can but refuse
when you look at the facts fairly. II,
as say, 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
. atives Of those who have lost their
4 lives would not only be paid all just
II claims by the new government, bu,
t adequately rewarded. In your owr
case the recompense would be prince
!. ly; but, assuming that we board yes
r. sci bound for Europe, what certainty
a have you that you will ever receive {
r pennyT
ooh, RELY, that's comm 1t bi
20 thick, mister" growled Coke.
=. "You believe am exaggerating tn,
" difficulties of your position? Pray con
r. slider. Your vessel is broken up Sh,
"A was fired on while at anchor on tn,
70 wrong side of the island, on the yer.
20 day selected for my escape. You ant
~ your men manage to dodge the bullets
:, and, under my leadership, assisted b.
~ Captain San Benavides, you overrul
" the place by night, kill several soldiers
- seize a launch, despoil peasants o
~ their crops and stores and make OF
with good deal of property belongin
to the Brazilian government, not t
:, mention the presence In your midst @
= such significant parsonage as myself
Speaking candidly, Senior Captain
:" - what chance have you of convincin
y. any international court of your innt
=, cence? Who will believe that you wer
~ not true flibusterT
"Wot exactly is your offer%
nc "Ample compensation officially. Fiv
ns thousand pounds to you In person"
Vi "Five thousandw Coke cleared
" throat husky with doubt. THAT u
~ make things pretty easy for the missu
~. an the girls" he muttered. "Al
~ there's no new ship for me we
~ Dickey Bulmer cocks is eye at Hozie
ue It's moral there'll be holy row b.
e. tween i'm an David. Dye mean
10 misterT
'u' "EYen II fail and my life Is spare
I'VE 1 will pay you the money out OF II
ss- own private funds" was the veheme
10 reply.
ser swell, WELL leave the Job to me-"
zen 81 promise on my honor" De Syl'
Gu began.
hat But the nearer surface Of the s.
ite' flashed into a dazzling distinctne:
and Coke dragged him down to t
tne launch. The cruiser had rounded r
ncn island and was devoting one sweepi
we glance eastward ere she sought b
un- prey In creek or tortuous channel
and At last after wearying delay s
nty vanished. Five minutes later Wa
and Olsen brought the welcome ne
urs that she was returning to the 70;