Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-08-13

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 1 was thinking. I've
been considering another plan. 1 told
you about my friend at the market.
Well, he is miserable Spaniard. but
he has 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 a month. He might
take US out Of here-on his schooner"
"How well does he like your"
ooh, we are like two thieves"
After a period of thought O'Reilly
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 skunk into 1t. 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 villainous old
brigand in a rough Gallego cap, baggy
blouse and trousers, and straw san
dals
Good DAY, my captain" he cried,
cheerily.
The Spaniard raised his head,
scowled ferociously, then waved long
thin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
aha So there you are, robber Be
off now before 1 slit your greedy little
belly! Didn't promise to give you to
the soldiers if you came back to bother
me?"
Jacket was unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
an impudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. where is my little fish?''
he demanded "As live, believe you
have sold it! What a miser! For the
sake of another centavo you would see
me starve? There's heart for you
Come. give me my fish! Or must lie
down and die before your very eyes to
prove my hunger?"
"What a nuisancep grumbled the
marketman. He reached into a basket
and flung mackerel upon the table.
''There! I saved it for you, and sent
the good women of Matanzas away
| empty-handed. But it is the very last.
Annoy me again and shall open you
with my knife and put salt on you"
"Ah! You are my good captain !"
Jacket cried in triumph, possessing
himself of the prize. where would
have been but for your" Turning to
O'Reilly, who had looked on from dis
lance, he said, "Captain NORM, this is
that brother Juan of whom have told
you"
NORM smiled at Johnnie and extend
ed his dirty palm. "The little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes, it
seems. 1 began to doubt that he had a
brother What boy, eh?"
"You have a 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 forbid" NORM flung up his
hands. "Pm a loyal subject
well, we are going back to fight.
We are going to escape and join Gomez
once morew Jacket made the an
nouncement calmly.
"'S-sh What talk" NORM was in a
nervous panic lest they be overheard.
'As if anybody could escape from Ma
tanzas What made you come here if
you are so eager to fight?"
'I'u 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 Cobo's men and driven in,
and we came to find him. But he is
sick-dying-"
"Of course. They're all dying-the
poor people! 1t is terrible"
Eve" O'Reilly faltered slightly,
so much hung upon the manner in
which Norm would take what he was
about to say. 'yVe want to get him out
of here-we must do so, or Wen lose
him. viii you help us?"
81? In heavens name, hOw?"
"By taking US away in your char
| coal schooner"
you're madr' NORM 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. 1 will pay you
WELL"
NORM eyed the ragged speaker scorn-
fully; it was plain that he put no faith
in such promise, and so O'Reilly took
a piece of gold from his pocket, at
sight of which the fisherman started.
81, too, am a poor man. but I'm will
ing to buy freedom for my little BROTH
ers and myself"
How many coins like that have
you?"
''Um-m-more than one; enough to
pay you for several cargoes of COAL"
''For the sake of Miguelito," jacket
urged. "Caramba What hard-heart-
ed father begot that boyl"
"Hush!" The fisherman was scowl-
ing. To o'Reilly he said. "You do
wrong to tempt a poor man.
my brother Esteban is sick. He is
a frail little lad with crooked back
God will reward you"
''Perhapsl But how much will you
pay"
Ten Spanish sovereigns like this
all that have"
"No! 1t is not enough"
! O'Reilly took Jackets hand and
turned away. I'm sorry" he said. 81
wish l might offer you more" He had
taken several steps before NORM hailed
him.
Come back tomorrow" the fisher
man cried. GROSSLY. "we viii try to talk
like sensible people"
\ Tho hraeha~S T;Ilar x-ara hoal- az