The Lamar register., 1919-04-09


finally distinguishing the bare masts
of medIum-sized bark, evidently rid
ing at anchor only "A few hundred
yards of shore.
The Spaniard presently pointed out
to Fairfax the position Of the bark.
surely strange place In which to
anchor, Lieutenant" said Fairfax.
BARK rugged and very heavily spared.
Seems to be all right. What do you
make of the vesself"
The Spaniard twisted his mustache
but exhibited little Interest, although
his gaze was upon the craft.
Decidedly Dutch, | should say" he
answered slowly. '"The beggars seem
quite at home there. with all their
washing out Not n usual anchorage?"
NO. nor Il particularly safe one.
Trnvers' place is beyond the bend.
Wen put up with him tonight. D-n
me, Sanchez, l believe I'll hail the
fellow and find out what he is doing
In there"
Sanchez nodded, carelessly striking
flint and steel in an effort to rellght
cheroot.
We came about slowly. The dis
tance to be covered was not great, and
in less than ten minutes we were
drawing in toward The high stern OF
the anchored vessel.
No evidence of 'llfe appeared on
board. although everything looked
shipshape allow ana aloft. and a rather
extensive wash Tapped I'm the wind
forward. bespeaklng a generous crew.
A moment later my eyes made out the
name painted across the stern-Na-
muir of Rotterdam.
Fairfax leaned far out across the
rail as we swept in closer. but the
Spanlard exhibited no particular in.
terest in the proceedings. A hundred
feet distant | held the dancing slOop
to mere steerage-way. while Fairfax
hailed
A red-faced man with black beard
thrust his head up above the after
rail and answered. using English, yet
with faint accent which was not
Dutch.
1--WE ran down TO see If you were
in any trouble. This is a strange
place to anchor. What are you
Dutchf"
The fellow waved his hands in a
gesture indicating disgust.
Oats eet. We're Ov .Rotterdnm-
you see re name ov ze sheep. But
We not sail frum thar dis time-no.
We cum here from ze Bnrbadues," he
explained brokenly. wiz cane sugar
an hides We walt here for our agent"
"But why anchor I'm a place like
this7 Why not go on up to the
wharvesf
wye notf For ziz-I no trust my
crew ashore. Gay Vest Indy niggers.
an vud run away ven re chancescum.
| know vat eny do"
In spite OF my efforts the two ves-
sells were drifting rapidly apart. Dor
othy appeared at the door of the
cabin and stood there gazing In sur
prise at the bark. while the moment
he caught sight Of her Sanchez went
hastily forward removing his hat with
so peculiar flourish as he approached
as to cause me t0 notice the gesture.
Fairfax waved his hand TO me to
resume our course. Shortly after he
EIONHth ALt utih ~ Aiit WHEEL
he stood watching the bark for some
time.
"What do you make .of her, Car
iylcT" he asked finally. 81 believe that
fellow lied"
$50 do /, sir" answered promptly.
Whatever else he may be. he's no
peaceful Dutch trader. That fellow
got his accent from south Europe. II
he was loaded with cane sugar and
hides for market he wouldn't be near
~ 80 high out Of water. That bark
was In ballast or miss my guess. Be
sides II he was a trader where was
his crew? tell YOU the men on board
that hooker had orders to keep down"
Il believe you are right" he admit
ted frankly. There is something
wrong there. III tell Travers and
have him send a runner overland to
give warning below"
CHAPTER VI.