The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-04

inch by inch. Suddenly Hernandez
darted out upon another wharf.
Stand in:a circle" he commanded.
and when / say the word--quick &C.
ton, senior"
Then Hernandez stopped quickly
and jerked back trap door that had
been fitted into the planking.
Quick he whispered, drop"
He seized Manueila and dropped her
through the opening. She screamed
this scream rose to shrek when she
struck the water. But her alarm was
unwarranted. There was no danger
she stood waistdeep in water, Ponto
followed with leap-he knew his
ground. Ilington lowered himself
'warily; to save innette from injury;
chung for one instant to the edge OF the
opening with one brawny hand, and
then dropped straight as q plummet.
Hernandez followed suit. closing the
trap door, behind him. The closing Of
this door left them almost in total
darkness.
"Senor," whispered Hernandez, Il
have boat. One moment, please"
He CROPPED about and caught rope
tied to anpile. He drew it in. hand
! over, hand
"In," said Hernandez-"everybody
lin"
The group obeyed. The boat was
small.
"Senor,"' said Hernandez. you are
large-you are tall. See yonder ray of
light-it is an opening, just wide
enough to admit of this small craft.
Leap out. senor-draw us thither--it
is the sole way to the sea-"
Ilington dragged the boat through
the narrow opening and swung back
into his place.
I'll row." he said
Suddenly Hernandez pointed toward
the north Look, senor," he ex-
claimed, "succor-yonder is saliva
ton"
Ilington followed his glance. His
face lighted.
Salvation is right" he returned in
tones of relief, "a steamer-and.
what's more. she flies the American
flag. Good luck
Under the command of her captain,
Hardin. the Princess had steamed back
into the rain of living fire to rescue
whom she might.
On the forward deck of the steamer
stood Captain Hardin-and beside
him his small son-to welcome refu-
gees. And there were many refugees
to welcome. Captain Hardin soon
saw he must discriminate.
Finally he shook his head. Ben"
he told his mate, we're filling up.
Pick your crowd from now on--only
the helpless--children. women. old
men. Reject all others"
Welcher. with two Of the crew be-
hind him--both scared into frenzy
all armed with capstan bars-raised
aloft his bludgeon.
mo moreno more!" he cried. I'll
brain the first man who tries to get
aboard"
Suddenly above the din, powerful
voice was neard.
Alloy, there, Princess" cried this
voice.
Welcher followed the sound. It
came from the lungs of a powerfully
built man rowing leaky boat.
Make way there" beloved the
oarsman, llington; "one moment,
Princess. Where's the captain"
Ilington seized his little daughter
Annette and uncovered her head
Never mind me-" he said. Il want
refuge for this woman and the child"
Welcher was adamant. Not an
other ounce of human flesh aboard
this boat" he said.
There was tug upon his arm. He
turned. Little Neal Hardin, the cap
tain's son, stood at attention and
touched his cap. He pointed with one
hand toward little Annette Ilington.
please, Mr. Welcher." he pleaded,
''let her come aboard. She don't weigh
an ounce"
The mate turned savagely upon the
boy. you mind your own business.
brat" he cried. The boy stared at him
a moment, then saluted and started
of.
Yes sir" he returned, that's what
I'm going to do"
He darted off on the run, and sought
his father, Captain Hardin.
There's just one ounce-a little bit
of an ounce-wants to come aboard,
scaptain-pop," he pleaded; "a tween.
ty-weenty little ounce, Won't You let
1t Gomez
He dragged the captain forward
The captain, laughing good -naturedly.
followed him
Meanwhile Ilington, with sure dis
elimination, placed the child in Man
uella arms once more and forced the
native woman out upon the ladder.
Courage, Manuella, he kept whts-
pering; courage, Annette. They've
got to help you out.
Captain Hardin leaned over the side
Let the woman and child come
aboard. he shouted back there. men
back. Welcher. let them come aboard
Ah-h-b." cried Ilington in a tone
of relief With a final almost super
human effort he lifted Manuella to the
rail OF the Princess, safely aboard He
was about TO pass the child to her, but
young Neal Hardin was holding out
his arms
I'm good catch" said young Neal;
u thnra -