The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-12-18

and an alleged speed of ten knots.
Next. the crew.
You viii need n captain. n cook, nr
engineer and n d%eckhand." said Char
lie. "and l have the captain and tn,
cook all ready for you"
That afternoon we rounded then
oil up, including the engineer and the
~deckhand, and we arranged to start
weather permitting, with the morning
tide. which set east ut six o'clock on
July -, 1903.
Ships stores were the next detail
and these, including fifty gallons OF
gasoline, over and above the tanks
and three barrels Of water, being duly
got aboard. on the evening OF July
II all was ready for the start an eve.
ming which was naturally spent in q
parting conclave in John Saunders
snuggery.
why. n important thing you've
forgotten" said Charlie. "Mnchetes-
and spades and pIckaxcs. And I'd
take Il few sticks OF dynamite along
with you too. l can let you have the
lot. Wen get them aboard tonight
ITS a pity you have to give II
away that it's n treasure hunt" said
John, "but then you can't keep the
crew from knowing. And they're q
queer lot IN the subject OF treasure,
have some of the funniest supersti-
lions. I hope you won't have any
trouble with them"
Had any experience In handling
~niggers?" asked Charlie.
"Not the least"
"That makes me wish I were coming
with you. They are rum beggars. Aw-
full towards, and Just like u pack OF
children. You know about sailing
anyhow. That's a good thing. You
can captoin your own boat, If need be.
That's all to the good. Particularly
X you strike any dirty weather. But
let me give you one word OF advice {:
Be kind, OF course. with them-but
keep your distance all the same. And
be careful about losing your temper.
You get more out of them by coax
ing-hard us II Is, Mt times. And. by
the way, how would you like to take
old Sailor with you?"
"Sailor" was n great Labrador re-
t~rlever, who ut that moment turned up
his big head with II devoted sigh from
behind his masters chair.
Rather" | said. So "Sailor" was
~thereupon enrolled as a further add.
ton to the crew.
"Old Tom" the cook. was first on
hand next morning. ! took to him ut
once. a simple. kindly old "darky" of
Uncle Toms Cabin" type. with faith
fulness written all over him, and q GER
tain sad wisdom In his old face.
"YouIl find Tom n great cook" said
Charlie. patllng the old man on the
shoulder. MANY n trip we've taken
together after duck. haven't we, Tom?"
That's right, sub. That's right"
said the old man. his eyes t~wlnkllng
with pleasure.
Then came the captain-Capt. Jnbez
Williams-a younger man, with an In
telllgent, self-respecting manner. some
what n"oncommittal. businessllke, evil
IDENTIFY not particularly anxious as to
whether he pleased or not, but looking
competent and civil enough.
Next cnme the engineer, a young
hulking bronze giant. a splendid phys
ical specimen. but rather heavy and
sullen and not over-intelllgent to look
ut. The deckhnnd proved to be a
shackly, rather silly. efreminate fellow.
suggesting idiocy. but doubtless wiry
and good enough for u purpose.
While they were tdsy getting up the
anchor of the Maggie Darling I went
down into my cabin to arrange various
odds and ends, and presently came the
captain. touching his hat.
There's u party" he said. "outside
here wants to know II you'il take him
passenger to Spanish Wells"
"We're not taking passengers" I an.
swered, but I will look him over"
A man was Standing up In n row.
boat, leaning against the ships side.
You'd do me a great favor. sir" he
began to say In a soft, ingratiGting
voice.
looked ut him with a start OF rec
ognltlon. lie was my p~ockmarked
A'''ih' u iAh Iluut butu Hu UNIlleuS-
ant impression on me Mt John Saun-
ders' Office. He was rather more GEN.
tlemanly looking than he had seemed
Mt the first view and I saw that,
though he was n halfhreed the white
blood predomInated.
~ don't want 70 intrude," he said,
but have urgent need OF getting to
Spanish Wells. and there's no boat go
ing that way for a week. I've Just
missed the mall"
~ didn't think Of taking any passen-
gers" ! said.
81 know" he said. 81 know it's a
great favor I ask" He spoke with n
certain cultivation OF manner. "But
l am willing OF course to pay anything
you think well for my food nnd my
passage"
waived that suggestion aside and
stood irresolutely looking Mt him. with
no very hospitable expression In my
eyes. ! dare say. But really my ais.
taste for him was an u%nreasoniIg prel-
udice, and Charlie Websters phrase