Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-11-29


Frona this there is no escape.
Hernandez bowed. You have chos-
en- pests ard pestilence. your friends"
he said. Goodnight, and pleasant
dreams. Now take us back.
Back at the hut. the native was bow
ing low. Hernandez poured much
coin into his hand. And mind said
Hernandez, CLOSE mouth for two days
at any rate, you dog.
In one way he was closemouthed.
In another way he we'll, he
started for the nearest tavern, and
bent his elbow with great frequency
and every time he bent his elbow he
opened his mouth-and to some pur-
pose after awhile he began 10
treat-and falkland show his money.
And then, te prove he was an honest
man and no thief. ike others there. he
began to tell Just how he had become
so very. very rich II such . short space
of time they listened 10 him
open mouthed Among them we're
men. sober men, whose families had
been ministsred TO bv the angel sent
from heaven--a little white angel.
One OF these men suddenly sprang to
his feet and grabbed the boaster by
the scruff of the neck-and. notwith-
standing struggles, carried him, pell
nell, from the wine shop. s.
Back in the Inn of the Spanish Don,
the proprietor was protesting that he
had not seen Gunner Neal-had not
learned of the Whereabouts of the lit
tie white angel-Senorita Annette IL
ington. dozen bluejackets were on
hand-the surgeon was there. Mrs.
Hardin, wild-eyed in the glare Of the
smoky lamps. was sobbing hystericai.
~. Inez looked on calmly. Suddenly
into the midst Of this company was
propelled an intoxicated native-a bag
OF bones clad in tumble of rags
Another native pounced upon him and
shook him like terrier shakes a rat
This man, senior" said the sober
native, curses on him-he knows
where the little white angel is. Come
he win guide us there. Tell them, you
dog"
The dog told He didn't want to.
but neither did he like the prick Of
bayonets through his hide-so he told,
and then he led the way BY the time
they had reached the outskirts OF the
town, the whole town was with them.
Hernandez, in his hut. heard the
commotion He knew in his bones
what it was Come on" he cried to
Ponto. we're going back into that
swamp swore they should not get
away-you swore it, too"
"How will we get there" shivered
Ponto.
THE Brute is brute" said Herman
DEE. where he has been once, he
can always find the way. Come Lead
on-lead on"
The Brute, under the usual stimulant
of cuffs and blows, led on. Ponto fol
lowed. At the edge of the swamp.
Hernandez, with a wicked smile
dropped silently to one side and
crawled behind a clump of bushes.
Out on that fateful islet in the cen
ter of the quagmire Neal, his eyes
heavy lidded with sleep, was holding
Annette in his arms. She was OBJ
livious. Suddenly he wokesher up and
sprang to his feet drawing her with
him.
Someone comes" he whispered
No sooner had he said it than the
Brute was upon them. He seized Neal
as in wise. But Neal--a triekster in
a wrestling match-wriggled out of
his grasp. He seized heavy stick
and lunged at the Brute The Brute
engaged him once again. Ponto tor
the stick away from Neal and whirl
ing it about his head. brought it down
with resounding crack upon Meals
head.
Neal dropped like log.
Ponto, knowing the reason for haste.
turned and looked about him He
was puzzled by Hernandez absence.
but this was no time to wonder He
drew a knife and started toward
Annette.
This time" ne cried. you shall
not get away
Annette ran, crookedly, hysterical-
ly, across the small islet In another
instant she was waist deep in the
quagmire, and still sinking Ponto
from terra firma. lunged at her with
his knife-but his lunge fell short
Annette struggled away--tried to
reach some place of safety But her
way was blocked by a waterlogged
piece of wood. Against this she rest
ed. wide-eyed, watching Ponto's ef.
forts-sinking, sinking all the time
For the first time she screamed
The Brute, busy with Neal who lay
upon the ground, heard her and swung
around. He saw what was happening
Ponto has raised his knife on high.
| Failing to strike-he was about to hurl
it at the girl--and Pontos aim was
perfect
never get away" snarled
Ponto. At that instant the Brute
seized a heavy stone in his hand. and
hurled it with tremendous force IL
him. It grazed his head, stannin
him. The Brute, grasping in his hand
sapling. leaned far out from tie
shore of the little islel and with one
hand graspel Annette, drew her, drip
ping from the quagnire end set her
on dry land.
Behind him he heard shouts
In frenzy of fear, he seized PontG's
| body, slung it over his shoulder. and