The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-03

Morning found all hands more nearly
rational and feeling the first cravings
OF healthy hunger. Even Asensio con-
fessed to quite miraculous improve
ment- While Evangelina 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-
hension. "Surel All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill US for peso.
Yes, and the pacificos are no better. I
tell you we need TO get out of this
place"
L 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 1 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 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
''Oh, we are like two thieves
After a period of thought O'ReiIly
said, Take 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 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 viIlainOus old
brigand in a rough GalIegO 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, rObberI Be
off now before slit your greedy little
belly! Didn't I promise to give you to
the soldiers if you came back to bother
meY
Jacket was Unabashed by this hostile
reception. He grinned broadly and with
an fmpudent eye he scanned the empty
premises. "'Where is my little fish? ?"
he demanded. "As live, believe you
have sold it! What a miserI For the
sake Of another centavO you would see
me starve? There's a heart for you
Come, give me my fish, Or must I lie
down and die before your very eyes to
prove my hungerY
"What a nuisanceF ' grumbled the
marketman. He reached into a basket
and flung a mackerel upon the table.
There! 1 saved 1t 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 I
have been but for you?" Turning to
O'Reilly, who had looked on from a dis
lance, he said, Captain Norm, this is
that brother Juan of whom I have told
you"
NORM smiled at Johnnie and extend
ed his dirty palm. 1.-THE little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes, it
seems. began to doubt that he had
brother. What a boy, eh?''
''You have q son with the insured
tos?'
yes" The fisherman cast a furtive
glance over his shoulder.
''Why don't you go and fight by his
side?" Jacket demanded.
"God forbidi" NORM flung up his
hands. I'm loyal subject"
''WeH, we eiAe going back to fight.
We are going su escape and join Gomez
once more - Jacket made the an
nouncement calmly.
"'S-shi What talkl" NORM was in
nervous panic lest they be overheard.
GAS if anybody could escape from Ma
tanzasi What made you come here if
you are so eager to f1ght?''
''PH tell you" O'ReiIIy assumed di-
rection of the conversation. ''There
are three of us brothers, we two and
Esteban, 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 peoplel It is terrible"
Eve" O'ReiIly faltered slightly,
so much hung upon the manner in
which NORM would take what he was
about to say. "We want to get him out
OF here-we must do so, or Wen lose
him. VIII you help us?"
"I? In heavens name, howT
''By taking Us away in your char
coal schooner"
you're madP' 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 poor man. I viii pay you
WE'LL
NORM eyed the ragged speaker scorn-
fully; it was plain that he put no faith
in such a promise, and so O'Reilly took
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"
'sHow many coins like that have