Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1918-09-20
Dragged the Body of Cobo Into the
Cave


Cave.
her palm, went for food and spent most
of the day in cooking it. The treasure
hunters alternately slept and ate. 1t
was not until well along toward eve
ming that Rosa and O'Reilly felt any
desire to take stock of the contents of
that jewel box, but finally, with heads
together and with backs to the door of
the bohio, they made a furtiye ex-
animation. They found emeralds and
sapphires the value of which they did
not attempt to estimate; and, besides
these. miscellaneous assortment of
semiprecious stones.
O'Rei!ly realized vaguely that he
held in his lap fortune greater than
his widest dreams had ever COM
rajah. 1t seemed incredible that this
ragged girl beside hiG was 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
whelning menace.
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 love@ agreed upon Il
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-
tension "Sure! All Spaniards are
robbers and they'd kill US for a peso.
Yes, and the pacifcos are no better. I
tell you we need to get out of this
place."
II intend to arrange it at once, but
the sight of those jewels has frightened
me. IL we are searched--if we are
even suspected I'm wondering if Rosa
can endure the hardships Wen encoun-
ter when, or if, we get away"
Exactly what I was thinkings I've
been considering another plan. / told
you about my friend at the market.
Well, he is a miserable Spaniard, but
he has a son In the manigua."
zone of us?' Johnnie was surprised.
eyes. 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 period of thought O'Reilly
said, sTake 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 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 villainous old
brigand in 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 / 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 fsh?'
he demanded. "As I live, believe you
have sold tt! What miser For the
sake Of another centavo you would see
me Starve? There's a heart for you
Come, give me my fish! Or must lie
down and die before your very eyes to
prove my hunger?D
"What a nuisance!' grumbled the
marketman. He reached into basket
and flung a mackerel upon the table.
'"There! 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"
All Lou are IHy SoOu cdpldii
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 a 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. 1.-THE little fellow
can speak the truth when he wishes. it