Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1915-12-11
NEAL OF THE NAVY
CONTINUED From Page 81

just at the time wnen ne was on the
coast of Dolores-that his engine had
uncompromisingly broken down, and
that he must put into the nearest port
for repairs.
while I'm about it." he said to
Hernandez, his secret passenger, you
can land your oil stoves for the in.
surrectos."
Hernandez nodded. Your legiti-
mate passengers-som of your crew"
he said, you'd best get them out of
the way first-we don't want too many
witnesses--the rifle cases might break
open"
It's all right" said the captain,
simple enough. I'll land 'em in the
daytime. Wen land your cargo in the
night"
He glanced toward shore. Sudden
ly he caught Hernandez by the arm.
"Yonder, senior" he exclaimed, look
the flag of the insurrectos-it is
their camp"
Annette Ilington, startled by the ces-
sation of the engines, glanced out of
the window of her stateroom. She
woke her foster mother, Mrs. Hardin.
Land" said Annette, look"
There was not only land-there was
a village-there was big house
and there were people.
Already launch had put off from a
meat plantation dock, and inside of
twenty minutes had drawn up along
side the Rio Grande.
In the launch, seated comfortably
In an easy wicker chair, smoking a
long panatela, sat prosperous look
ing Central American gentleman.
At the captains invitation he
boarded the Rio Grande and looked
about him. His glance was keen--he
seemed to see everything at once.
you will pardon, senior captain"
he explained, "but-these are sus-
picious times. We look for trouble
everywhere. You see yonder hill. |
Somewhere In that forest turks revo-
luton. All that they need is guns,
senior. Guns and ammunition. Hence
my apprehension as to the Rio
Grande."
MY stars exclaimed the captain,
IF I'd known they wanted guns, blow
me, but I'd have brought few along"
An hour later the Central American
was standing on the veranda of his
large plantation house, experimenting
the serving of iced drinks and bit OF
food, to his accidental guests, Annette
llington and her party.
Annette suddenly rose to her feet.
The Rio Grande," she exclaimed,
'look--she Is leaving us.
Her host shook his head. "She is
moving, on pair of crutches-as one
would say-into quieter cove. There
The will repair herself. Meantime,
command me as your servants, sonora
--senoritas, If you please"
The captain of the Rio Grande was
clever enough to perceive that he
would further disarm the suspicious
Il the rich plantation owner by NOV.
ng the Rio Grande down the coast
instead OF up the coast-away from
ather than nearer to the insurrectos
tronghold. He knew his business,
Id the captain Of the Rio Grande.
md II he didn't, he had good direc-
Or the Portuguese Hernandez.
"Ah," said Hernandez that evening
rom the deck of the Rio Grande, her
lajesty the moon" :
AS II in answer to his exclamation. !;
dozen rowboats shot out of the shad- !;
WIS and lined up alongside the Rio :,
rande. The first of these made fast !
"a swarthy looking insurrecto :
imbed the ships ladder like a :
onkey. Hernandez received him. =
Senior" he said, saluting. q
The other man grinned. you have /,
stoves for Panama" he queried.
For Panama, yes" smiled Herman h
~. .,
This" said the other, with another
i'm smile, "is Panama" @
First and foremost, senior general"
Id Hernandez, money down" 81
The insurrecto counted out the cash. h
Hernandez thrust it into his pocket. 81
'enor," he said, opening the door n
Id giving vent to a low whistle, Il
all be glad to throw in something Il
SO with the oil stoves for Panama" m
Two figures appeared in the door RI
the room. te
The insurrecto gazed at one of them
amazement. Then he turned to !
tn
What will you throw in ?" he quer-
I. al
Hernandez placed one hand upon &c
breast and waved the other at his ca
o companions. my own services
d that Of my good friend, Ponto-
d this beast We are fighters, senior.
would take pot luck with YOU"
The insurrecto's eyes cleaned. DE
hted, senor," he returned. th
hernandez didn't mention that he Sc