Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-11-23

alley, and let the crowd slide by liko
q huge many colored avalanche. When
he Joined the crowd again. Hernandes
and his Aztec ally were ahead Of him
and not behind.
TO the sea-to tho sea"-the voice
OF the multitude raised itself In agony.
There raj but one cry-"to tho Sea-
let me past-make room for me-to
the sea-to the sea"
At . crazy little wharf Tinston
twitched himself and Manuella and the
child deitly 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.
-Ilington turned suddenly-at his
side stood Hernandes. nington shook
his head.
There's not . chance" he said.
Senior nington,' said Hernandez.
'.you are indeed fortunate to nave tied
yourself to me. Always l have some
thing up my sleeve" He jerked his
head. Follow me-" he added.
Ilington. wondering, followed. drag
ging Manuella with him.
Swiftly the group moved along the
water frout-they, fought their way
inch by inch. Suddenly Hernandez
darted out upon another wharf.
Stand in q circle" he commanded.
"and when I say the word-Quick &C.
ton, senor."
Then Hernandez stopped quickly
and ierked back a trap door that had
been fitted into the planking.
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 waistdeep in water. Ponto
followed with a leap-he knew his
ground. Tlington lowered himself
warily. to save annette from injury;
chung for one instant to the edge OF the
opening with one brawny hand, and
then dropped straight as a plummet.
Hernandez followed suit, closing the
trap door behind him. The closing Of
this door left them almost in total
darkness.
"Senor." whispered Hernandez. Il
have a boat. One moment, please"
He CROPPED about and caught a rope
tied to a pile. He drew it in, hand
over hand.
'In," said Hernandez-"everybody
in"
The group obeyed. The boat was
small.
"Senor." said Hernandez, you are
Iarge-you are tall. See yonder ray Of
light-it is an opening, Just wide
enough to admit Of this small craft.
Leap out. senor-draw US thither-it
is the sole way to the sea-"
llington dragged the boat through
the narrow opening and swung back
into his place.
'I1l row." he said.
Suddenly Hernandez pointed toward
the north. Look, senor," he ex-
claimed. 'succor-yonder is saliva
tion."
Ilington 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 mad 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-to welcome refu-
gees. And there were many refugees
to welcome. Captain Hardin soon
saw he must discriminate.
Finally he shook his head. "Ben,"
he told his mate, we're filing up.
Pick your crowd from now on-only
the helpless-children. women. old
men. Reject all others"
Welcher, with two Of the crew be-
hind him-both scared into a frenzy
all armed with capstan bars-raised
aloft his bludgeon.
mo moreno more!" he cried. I'll
brain the first manswho tries to get
aboard"
Suddenly above the din, a powerful
voice was heard.
Alloy. there, Princess" cried this
voice.
Welcher followed the sound. It
came from the lungs Of a powerfully
built mar rowing a leaky boat.
Make way there" beloved the
oarsman, Ilington; zone moment,
Princess. Where's the captain?"
Ilington seized his little daughter
Annette and uncovered her head.
Never mind me" he said. II want
refuge for this woman and the child"
Welcher was adamant. Not an.
other ounce Of human flesh aboard
this boat" he said.
There was a tug upon his arm. He
turned. Little Neal Hardin. the cap
tain's son, stood at attention and
touched his cap. He pointed with one
hand toward little Annette Ilington.
please, Mr.. Welcher," he pleaded.
'1et her come aboard. She don't weigh
an ounce"
The mate turned savagely upon the
boy. You mind your own business.
brat" he cried. The boy stared at him
a moment, then saluted and started
OF.
yes, sir" he returned. that's what
I'm going to do"
He darted of on the run, and sought
his father, Captain Hardin.