The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-17

VW ing with our compatriots.
 They surged everywhere, full of comment and curiosity. The half naked men and women with the cigars and the wholly naked children and dogs seemed not in the least disturbed nor en1ivened.
 Talbot'S earnest inquiries finally got us to the Crescent hotel. It was a hut exactly like all the rest save that it had floor. From it's name suppose it must have been kept by a white man, H1t we never got near enough through the crowd to find out, With out Talbot we should have gone hun gry with many others, but he inquired around until we found native willing to feed us. So we ate on an upturned henceop outside a native hut The meal consisted of pork, bread and wa ter. N
 We strolled to the beach at the hour appointed with our boatman. He was not there, nor any other boat1han.
 Never mind,' said Ward. "I'n know him if I see him. I'll go look him up. You. fellows find the boat with our things in it.''
 He and I 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 a row. We pushed our way in.
 Johnny and Tank were backed up against the palmetto awning of one of ] the boats in an attitude of deadly and quiet menace. Not two yards away stood four of our well dressed friends. Nobody as yet displayed a weapon, ex- cept that Tanks long rife lay across the hollow of his left arm instead of butt to earth, but it was evident that Tghtnings 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 a little when he saw us.
 +'We112'a Inquired Ward easily Whats the troubleF "Yank and found our goods dump ed out on the beach and others in their place. said Johnny.
 .sSo you proceeded to reverse mat ters. How about ftg' he inquired pleasantly of the four men.
 "I know nothing about it,'' replied one of them shortly. we hired this boat, and we intend to have it. and no whippersnApper is going to keep us from it."
 q see,'' said Talbot pleasantly. esWeH, excuse me a moment while I talk to our frfend.' He addressed the man in Spanish and received short, sul1en replies. ''He>says,'' Talbot ex- pIained to us, t'that he never saw us before in his life and never agreed to take us up the river"
 "Wen, that settles ity' stated the other man.
 How much did. you offer to pay himY' asked Talbot.
 The man stared. s'None of your busi- ness,' he replied.
 They're askfn' $2o head" volun- teered one of the interested spectators. Exactly. You see,'' said Talbot to us, i've got. here a little too early. Our bargain was for only $15, and now this worthy citizen has made a better rate for himself
 'sYou should have had the bargain immediately registered before the al calde, cenor,' spoke up a white dressed Spaniard of the better class, probably from the castle.
 '1 thank you, senor," said Talbot courteously. 'sThat neglect is due tc my ignorance of your charming coun Vtry."
 sAnd now if you'll move, young tur key cock, we'll just take OUT boat, said another of the claimants.
 One momentr'- said Talbot Ward with a new edge to his voice. "IThis is my boat, not yours My baGgage is in it; my boatnan is on the ground That be is forgetfu1 has nothing to dC with the merits of the case. YoU kne y.- this as well as I do. Now, yoI lean acknowledge this peacefully ana get out or you can fight. I don't care a continental red copper which. Only warn you, the first man who make: move wi I anything but his two fee will be shot dead"
 He stood, his hands hanging idly by his sides, and he spoke very quietly The four men were not towards, tha I'll swear, but one and all they stared into Wards eyes and came individual ly to the same conclusion. I do no doubt that dancing flicker of refrac ton or of devilment was very neal tue surface.
 'sOf course if you are very positive ! sho,!Id not dream of doubtfng you word or of interfering" said the tai est and quietest, who had remained i the background. "We desire to do iT justice to no man
 Johnny, behind us, snorted loudl and derisively.
 eff my knowledge of Spanish is c any value in assisting you to a boa pray command me-" broke in Ward.
 The crowd moved off, the boatma with it. I reached out and collare him