The Monticellonian., 1918-09-13

Morning found all AanuS more nearly rational and feeling the first gnawings of a healthy hunger. Even Asensio con fessed to quite miraculous improve ment While Evangelina prepared breakfast the lovers agreed upon q story to explain the origin of that mys- terious gold piece, and later Johnnie warned Jacket for second time to keep his tongue between his teeth.
 Jacket nodded his complete compre- hension. Sure! All Spaniards are robbers and they'd kill us for q peso. Yes. and the pacificos are no better. l tell you we need to get out of this place."
 q intend to arrange it at once, but the sight of those jewels has frightened me. If we are searehed-if we are even suspected I'm wondering If Rosa can endure the hardships we'll eneeun- ter when, or if. we get away"
 Exactly what l was thinking. I've been considering another plan. I told you about my friend at the market. Well, he is miserable Spaniard, but he has a son in the manigua."
 "One of us?" Johnnie was surprised.
 'Yes. 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"
 How well does he like youY
 "Oh. we are like two thieves"
 After a period of thought OReilly said, "Take me to him, and remember I'm your brother Juan"
 The Matanzas market did not pre- sent scene of great activity when the two friends slunk into it. Like most Spanish markets, the building was far from clean and housed odors unpleas- ant even to starving people. In the smelliest section, at one of the fish stalls. Jacket accosted a viliain0us old brigand in a rough Gallego eap, baggy blouse and trousers, and straw san dals.
 Good day, my eaptain,e he cried, cheerily.
 The Spaniard raised his head. scowled ferociously, then waved long, thin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
 Aha So there you are, robberl Be off now before I slit your greedy little belly! Didn't I promise to give you to he soldiers if you came back to bother me?n
 Jacket was unabashed by this hostile reception. He grinned broadly and with an impudent eye he scanned | empty premises. 'Where is my little fish?" he demanded. AS I live, believe you have sold it What I miserl For the sake of another centavo you would see me starve? There's heart for you Come, give me my fishl Or must 1 lie down and die before your very eyes to prove my hunger?"
 "What a nuisance!" grumbled the mqrketman. He reached into basket and flung a mackerel upon the table. 'There! I saved it for you, and sent the good women of Matanzas away empty-handed. But 1t is the very last. Annoy me again and I shall open you with my knife and put salt on you"
 "Ah You are my good captain p Jacket cried in triumph, possessing himself of the prize. "Where would have been but for you?' Turning to O'Reilly. who had looked on from a dis tance, he said. Captain Morin. this is that brother Juan of whom I have told you"
 Morin smiled at Johnnie and extend- ed his dirty palm. "Fhe little fellow can speak the truth when he wishes, it seems. I began to doubt that he had q brother. What a boy, eh?"
 You have son with the insurrec- tos?'
 "Yes" The fisherman cast furtive glance over his shoulder.
 'Why don't you go and fight by his side?" Jacket demanded.
 God forbidl" Morin flung up his hands. I'm q loyal subject"
 Well. we are going back to fight. We are going to escape and join Gomez once !" Jacket made the an nouncement calmly.
 "'S-sh What talk s Morin was in 8 nervous panic lest they be overheard. AS if anybody could escape from Ma tanzasi What made you come here if you are so eager to fight?"
 "Ill tell you" O'Reilly assumed di- rection of the conversation. "There are three of us brothers, We two and Esteban, a pretty little fellow. He was captured by Cobos men and driven in, and We came to find him. But he is sick-dying-"
 "Of course. They're all dying-the poor people! It is terrible
 We" O'Reilly faltered slightly, so much hung upon the manner in which Morin would take what he was about to say. We want to get him out of here-we must do so, or we'll lose him. Will you help us?"
 "I? In heavens name, how?"
 By taking us away in your char coal schooner"
 You're mad" Morin cast another apprehensive look over his shoulder I'm poor man. All have is my two boats, the vivero, which brings fish and the volandra. which sails with charcoal Do you think I'd forfeit them and my life for strangers?"
 O'Reilly leaned closer. You say you're a poor man. l will pay yor we'll"
 Morin eyed the ragged speaker scorn fully; it was plain that he put no faitf in such a promise, and so O'Reilly tool piece of gold from his pocket. al sight of which the fisherman started. "I, too, am poor man. but I'm will ing to buy freedom for my little broth CTS and myself"