The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-06-27

of comment and curiosity. The half
naked men and women with the cigars
and the wholly naked children and
dogs seemed not I'm the least disturbed
nor enlivened.
Talbot's earnest inquiries finally got
MS to the Crescent hotel 1t was a hut
exactly like all the rest save that 1t
had q floor. From its name suppose
It must have been kept by white
man, but we never got near enough
through the crowd to find out. with
out Talbot we should have gone hun.
CRY with many others, but he inquired
around until we found a native willing
TO feed us. So we ate on an upturned
hencoop outside native hut. The
meal consisted of pork, bread and wa
ter.
We strolled to the beach at the hour
appointed with our boatman. He was
not there, nor any other boatman.
"Never mind" said Ward. "I'll know
him If l see him. I'll go look him up.
You fellows find the boat with our
things In it."
he and l re-entered the village, but
a fifteen minutes search failed to dis
close our man. Therefore we returned
to the beach. A crowd was gathered
close about some common center In the
unmistakable restless manner Of men
about a dog fight or some other kind
of row. We pushed our way in.
Johnny and Yank were backed up
against the palmetto awning Of one of
kh<a Go In ne s.f In
quiet menace. Not two yards away
stood four of our well dressed friends.
Nobody as yet displayed a weapon, ex-
eept that Yank's long rifle lay across
the hollow of his left arm instead of
butt to earth, but It was evident that
lightnings were playing. The boat
man, who had appeared, alone was
saying anything, but he seemed to be
supplying language for the lot.
Johnny's tense, alert attitude relaxed
little when he saw us.
WELL" inquired Ward easily.
whats the trouble?"
''Yank and found our goods dump
ed out on the beach and others In their
place." said Johnny.
$50 you proceeded to reverse mat
ters. How about it?" he inquired
pleasantly of the four men.
II know nothing about It," replied
one of them shortly. 'We hired this
boat, and we intend to have 1t, and no
whippergnapper is going to keep us
from II"
II see," said Talbot PLEASANTLY.
'''Well, excuse me moment while l
talk TO our friend" He addressed the
man in Spanish and received short,
sullen replies. "He says Talbot ex-
planned TO us, that he never saw us
before In his life and never agreed to
take us up the river"
'Well, that settles IT," stated the
other man.
"How much did you offer to pay
hlm?" asked Talbot.
The man stared. "None of your bust
ness" he replied.
They're askin' $50 a head" volun,
teered one of the interested spectators
Exactly. You see," said Talbot tc
rus, 1--WE got here little too early
Our bargain was for only $l5, and
how this worthy citizen has made 0
better rate for himself"
"You should have had the bargain
Immediately registered before the nj
-calde, senOr," spoke up white dressed
Spaniard OF the better class. probably
from the castle.
~ thank you. senior" said Talho
coulteously. THAT neglect Is due L
my ignorance Of your charming coun
try"
And now II yonll move, young tur
key cock, wen just take our boat,
said another of the claimants.
zone momcntw said Talbot Ward
with a new edge 90 his voice. "1ht'
Is my boat, not yours. My baggage f.
in Il, my boaman Is on the ground
That he rs rorgetful has nothing 10 d,
with the merits of the ease. Yol
know thls as well M | do Now. yoI
ran acknowledge this peacefully an,
get out or you can fight / don't ear,
continental red copper which. Only
] warn you, the first man who make,
a move with anything hut his two fee
Will be shot dcad,"
He stood, his hands hanging Idly b,
hls sides, and he spoke very quietly
The four men were not towards. thu
I'll swear but one ana all they stare,
into Wards eyes and came individual
ly 20 the same conclusion do no
doubt that dancing flicker Of refraC
tion or of deviment was very nea
fhe surface.
"Of course II you are very positiv,