Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1915-12-25

alley and let the crowd slide by like
huge manycOlored avalanche When
he joined the crowd again. Hernandez
and his Aztec ally were ahead OF him
and not behind
TO the sca--to the sea the voice
Of the multitude raised itself in agony
There was but one cry-"to the sea
let me past-make room for me-to
the sea--to the sea"
At crazy little wharf llington
twitchcd himself and Manuela and the
child deity to one side and let the
crowd plunge on.
He scanned the surface OF the bay,
the fringe of shore The bay was dot
ted with small boats. laden to the gun
wales The water was alive with
swimmers
llington turned suddenly-at his
side stood Hernandez Ilington shook
his head
There's not chance he said
Senior llington.' said Hernandez.
you are indeed fortunate to nave tied
yourself to me Always have some
thing up my sleeve He jerked his
head Follow me he added
llngton, wondering, followed. drag
ging Manuella with him
Swiftly the group moved along the
water front-they fought their way
inch by inch suddenly Hernandez
dartcd 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 plankng
Quick he whispered. drop"
He seized Manuella and dropped her
through the opening. She screamed
this scream rose to a shrek when she
struck the water But her alarm was
unwarranted There was no danger
she stood wastdeep in water Ponto
followed with a leap-he knew his
ground llington lowered himself
warily. 10 save innettc from injury
chung for one instant to the edge OF the
opening with one brawny hand, and
then dropped straight as plnmmet
Hernandez followed suit. closing the
trap door behind him The closing Of
this door left them almost in total
darkness
Senior" whispered Hernandez. Il
have boat one moment. please
He CROPPED about and caught a rope
tied to pile He drew it in. hand
over hand
In" said ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
in
The group obeycd Tho boat was
small.
"Senor," said Hernandez you are
large you are tail See yonder ray Of
lieht-it is an opening. just wide
enough to admit OF this small craft.
Leap out, senior draw us thithcr-it
is the sole way to the sea"
Ilington dragged the boat through
the narrow opening and swung back
into his place.
III row he said
Suddenly Hernandez pointed toward
the north Look, senior" he cx.
claimed 'succor yondcr IS saliva,
ton
uington 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-t to welcome refu-
gees And there We're many refugees
10 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 women, old
men Reject all others
Welchcr. with two OF the crew be.
hind him-both scared into a frenzy
All armed with CapStan barS-raiSed
aloit his bludgeon
No more no more he cried I'll
brain the first man who tries to get
aboard
suddenly above the din. a powerful
voice was heard
Alloy there Princess cried this
voice
Welcher followed the sound II
came from the lungs OF a powerfully
built man rowing lcaky boat.
Make way there beloved the
oarsman llngton 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
Welchcr was adamant Not an.
other ounce OF human flesh aboard
this boat he said
There was tug upon his arm He