The Washington herald., 1920-05-23
By o. HENRY
"The wonder this traveller soldier scientist statesman
could content himself petty Life of his native land

course. His dull face was lit al
most to intelligence by some in
ward conceit that seemed TO af-
ford him Joy. and found utterance
In another parrot-like cackle.
That 10 why they do it,S he
said-"so that you will not see
the guns. They fire-boom.-and
you fall dead. With your face toF
the wall. Yes"
The Admiral called a sudden
order to his crew. The 1.-THE. ST.
lent Csribs made fast the sheets
they held, and slipped down the
hatchway into the hold OF the
sloop. when the last one had
disappeared. Don ssbas, like
big brown leopard. iesped for
ward. closed and fastened the
hatch and stood, smiling.
No rifles. IL you please, dear
Admiral" he said. 1T was q
wliimsey OF mine once to compile
a dictionary Of the Carib lenguA.
So. understood your order. Per-
haps now you will"
He cut short his words. for he
heard the dull swish" of iron
scrsping along tin. The Admiral
had drawn the cutlass OF Pedro
Lafitte. and was darting upon
him The blade descended. and IL
was only by u display OF surpris-
ing agility that the large man es-
capped. with only a bruised shoul-
der. the elancing weapon. He was
drawing his pistol as he spranE,
and the next instant he shot the
Admiral down.
Don Sabas stopped over him,
and rose again.
I'm the heart" he said briefly.
"Senores. the navy is abolished. IS
Col. Rafael sprang to the helm.
and the other oficer hastened 20
loose the mainsail sheets. The
boom swung round; "EI NacionsI"
veered and began TO tack indus
triousIy for the Salvador"
Strike that hag, senior" called
Col. Rafael. Our friends on the
steamer will wonder why we are
sailing under it"
We'll said, cried Don Ssbas
Advancing to the mast he lowered
the flag to the deck. where lay It's
too loyal supporter. Thus ended
the Minister OF Wars little piece
Of after-dinner drollery. and by
the same hand that began ii.
Suddenly Don Sabas gave a
great cry Of joy. and ran dowr
the slsnting deck TO the side oi
col Rafael. Across his arm h'
carried the nag Of the extinguish,
ed navy.
"Mire. miro. senior. All. Dios
Already can hear that grea'
bear Of an Oestreicher shout. 'Du
hast mein herr gebroChen" Mire
OF my friend. Herr Grunitz. ol
Vienna. you have heard me relate
That man has travelled TO CeyloI
for an orchid-to Patagonia for .
he1ddress-to Benares for a slip
per-to Mozambique for a spear
head to add to his famous ColIec
tions. Thou knowest. also. amiE,
Rafael. that / have been q gath
erer Of curios. My collection o
battle hags Of the worlds navie
was thc most complete in eXis
tence until last year. Then Her
Grunitz secured two. o, such r/r
specimens. One Of BsrSar
state and one Of the MakYroor
oos a tribe on the west cTast o
Africa. ! have not those. but the
can be procured. But this fGE
senor-do you know what it is
Name OF God. do you ktow? Sc
that red cross upon the blue an
white ground: You meter saw
before? Seguramente no. II
the naval flag OF your countr!
Nire, This rotten tub we stan
upon is its navy-that dead COCK
atoO lying there was its CON
mander-that stroke of Cutlas
and single pistol shot a sea battl
All a piece Of absurd foolery.