The Mena weekly star., 1919-03-27

hope in their hearts. for O'Reilly's rag ged clothes sagged with the weight of gold pieces and the little metal box he carried was heavy. Nor were they greatly concerned about the safety of the treasure they had left behind. for the entrance to the cavern lay deeply buried, and Cobo. the guerrilla. stood guard over the chests of plate and the casks of coin.
 EvangelIna, vastly bewildered at the sight of the coin which was forced into her palm, went for food and spent most of the day in cooking it. The treasure hunters alternately slept and ate. It was not until well along toward eve hing 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 sapphlres the value of which they did not attempt to estimate; and, besides these, miscellaneous assortment of semlprecious stones.
 oRellly realized vaguely that he held in his lap a fortune greater than his widest dreams had ever com passed. These were the jewels of raiah. It seemed incredible that this ragged girl beside him was regal heiress. the possessor of 8 treasure such as kings might envy. After time he realized that the mere possession of these gems constituted a new and over whelming menace.
 Morning found all hands more nearly rational and feeling the first gnawlngs of a healthy hunger. Even Asensio con fessed to a quite miraculous improve ment. While Evangelina DreDarcd breakfast the overs agreed upon story to explain the origin of that mys- terious gold piece, and later Johnnie warned Jacket for a second time tof keep his tongue between his teeth.
 Jacket nodded his complete compre- hension. Sure All Spaniards are robbers and they'd kill us for a peso. Yes, and the pacificos are no better. | tell you we need 10 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 I was thinking. I've been considering another plan. told you about my friend at the market. We'll, he is miserable Spaniard, but he has son in the manigua."
 "One of us?" Johnnie was surprised.
 "Yes. The old fellow owns volan. dra in which he brings charcoal from the eastward twice month. lie might take us out of here--on his schooner"
 How we'll does he like you?"
 "Oh, we are like two thieves"
 After 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 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 fefociously, then waved long thin-bladed knife in menacing fashion.
 "Aha So there you are, robberi Be off now before I slit your greedy little bellyi Didn't promise to give you te the soldiers if you came back to bother mel"
 Jacket was unabashed by this hostile reception. He grinned broadly and witt an impudent eye he scanned the empty premises. "Where Is my little fish7' he demanded. "As live, believe yor have sold 1t What a miserl For ths sake of another centavo you would set me starve? There's a heart for you Come, give me my fish Or must lie down and 6is before your very eyes ti prove my hungerT
 ''What nuisance r grumbled ths marketman. He reached into a baskes and flung a rnackerel upon the table ~Therei I saved 1t for you. and sent the good women of Mataazas ava, empty-handed. But 1t Is the very last Annoy me again and shall open yot with my knife and put salt on you"
 "Ahl You are my good captain r Jacket cried in triumph, possessini himself of the prize. Where would ] have been but for you?' Turning ts O'Reilly, who had looked on from dis tance, he said, Captain Morln. this il that brother Juan of whom have toIt you"
 Morin smiled at Johnnie and extend cd his dirty palm. 'The little fellow can speak the truth when he wishes. i seems. began to doubt that he had { brother. What boy, eh7"
 ''You have son with the insurrec tosf"
 ''Yes." The fisherman cast furtiv, glance over his shoulder.
 ''Why don't you go and fight by hii side2" Jacket demanded
 God forbid !" Morin flung up hii hands. 'Tm loyal subject"
 'Well, we are going back to fight We are going to escape and join Come | eft A