Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-10-11

the bohlo, they made q 1uruVe ex-
animation. They found emeraldS and
sapphires the value of which they did
not attempt to estimate; and. besides
these, q miscellaneous assortment of
semipreciouS stones.
O'Reilly realized vaguely that he
held in his lap a fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever COM
passed. These were the jewels of q
rajah. It seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside him vas a regal
heiress, the possessor Of a treasure
such as kings might envy. After a time
he realized that the mere possession Of
these gems constituted a new and over
whelming menace.
Morning found oil hands nor nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
Of q healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to a quite miraculous improve
ment. While E~vangellna prepared
breakfast the lovers agreed upon a
story to explain the origin Of that mys-
ferrous gold piece, and later Johnnie
warned Jacket for a second time to
keep his tongue between his teeth.
Jacket nodded his complete compre-
henslon. "Sure! All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill US for a peso.
Yes, and the ~paclfcos are no better. I
tell you we need to get out Of this
place."
n intend to arrange 1t at once, but
the sight Of those jewels has frightened
me. If we are searched-if we are
even suspected: I'm wondering If Rosa
can endure the hardships we'll encoun-
ter when, Or If, we get away"
Exactly what I was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. I told
you about my friend at the market.
Well, he is a miserable Spaniard, but
he has a son in the manigua."
zone Of usY Johnnie was surprised.
ayes. The old fellow owns a volan.
dra in which he brings charcoal from
the eastward twice q month. He might
take us out of here-on his schooner"
SLOW well does he like your"
"Oh, we are like two thieves"
After a period Of thought O'Reilly
said, stake me to him, and remember
I'm your brother JUAN"
The MatanZas market did not pre-
sent a scene Of great activity when the
two friends skunk into II. Like mos
Spanish markets, the building was fal
from clean and housed odors unpleas
ant even to starving people. In thu
smelliest section, at one Of the asl
stalls, Jacket accosted a vlllainous oil
brigand in a rough Gallego cap, bagg!
blouse and trousers, and straw san
dals.
"Good day, my captain" he cried
cheerily.
The Spaniard raised his head
scowled fe%rociously, then waved a long
| t~hin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
"Aha! So there you are, robber B
off now before I slit your greedy littl
bellyi Didn't promise to give you t
. the soldiers If you came back to bottle
mew
1 Jacket was unabashed by this hostll
3 reception. He grinned broadly and wit
> an impudent eye he scanned the empt
3 premises. "Where Is my little fish?
: he demanded. "As I live. I believe 20
! have sold It'll What a miser! For tn
sake Of another centavo you would sc
me starve? There's a heart for you
f Come, give me my fish, Or must I Il
down and die before your very eyes t
: prove my hungerT
+ "What a %nuisancep grumbled th
e marketman. He reached into a baske
g and flung a mackerel upon the tabl'
"Therel I saved 1t for you, and ser
( the good women Of Matanzas ava
e empty-handed. But 1t is the very las
l. Annoy me again and I shall open 20
with my knife and put salt on you"
"Ah! You are my good captain
o Jacket cried in triumph, possessin
e himself Of the prize. "Where would
have been but for your" Turning
o O'Reilly, who had looked on from a di
lance, he said, captain NORM, this
g that brother Juan Of whom l have tol
you"
a NORM smiled at Johnnie and extern
q ed his dirty palm. "The little fello
can speak the truth when he wishes,
seems. I began to doubt that he had
q brother. What a boy, ehY
u "You have q. son with the insure
tosT"
% "Yes." The fisherman cast a furtiV
'e glance over his shoulder.
IS "Why don't you go and fight by h
N side?" jacket demanded.
p. "God Forbid" NORM flung up b
/. hands. SIN a loyal subject"
i; "Well, we are going back to fgt
IS We are going to escape and join Com
I'd once more!" Jacket made the q
IS nouncement calmly.
g. "'S-sh! What talk !" NORM was in
nervous panic lest they be overhear
"As If anybody could escape from NJ
~ tanzasl What made you come here
Of you are so eager to fghtT"
or "Tll tell you" O'Reilly assumed {
~ rection Of the conversation. "The
I'd are three Of us brothers, we two al
he Esteban, a pretty little fellow. He W
captured by Cobo's men and driven
he and we came to find him. But he
to sick-dying1'