Evening star., 1924-11-03

Is far as possible.
Don Diego made him no answer.
Peter Blood waited moment, OBJ
serving him: then he bowed and step
ped back.
CHAPTER XII
Don Pedro sAnxre.
The CTnco Llagas and the Encar-
nacion, after a proper exchange Of
signals, lay hove to within a quarter
Of a mile of each other, and across
the intervening space Of gently heav-
ing, sunlit waters sped a boat from
the former, manned by six Spanish
seanen and bearing in her stern
sheets Don Esteban de Espinosa and
Capt. Peter Blood.
She also bore two treasure-chests
containing fifty thousand pieces Of
eight. Gold has at all times been
considered the best of testimonies of
good faith, and Blood was determined d
should be entirely on his side. His
followers had accounted this a
superreogation Of pretense- But
Bloods will in the matter had pre-
vailed. He carried further a bulky
package addressed to a Grandee OF
Spain, heavily sealed with the arms
OF Espinosa-another piece of evil
dence hastily manufactured in the
cabin of the Cinco Llagas-and he
was spending these last moments in
completing his instructions to his
young companion.
Don Esteban expressed his last
lingering uneasiness:
"But If you should betray yourself?''
he cried.
at will be unfortunate for . .
everybody advised your father to
say a prayer for our success. 1 de-
pend upon you to help me more
materially"
ct will do my best God knows
I will do my best" the boy protested.
Blood nodded thoughtfully. and no
more was said until they bumped
alongside the towering mass of the
Don Esteban, closely followed by
Captain Blood. In the waist stood
the admiral himself to receive them,
n handsome, sufficient man, very
tall and stiff, a little older and
greyer than Don Diego, whom he
closely resembled. He was supported
by four officers and friar in the
black and white habit Of St Dominic.
Don Miguel opened his arms to his
nephew. whose lingering panic he
rnistook for pleasurable excitement.
and having enfolded him to his
bosom turned to greet Don Esteban's
companion.
Peter Blood bowed gracefully. en-
tirely at his case. SO far as might be
judged from appearances.
II am" he announced, making a
literal translation Of his name, Don
Pedro Sangre, an unfortunate gentle
man Of Leon. lately delivered from
captivity by Don Esteban's most gal
nd n
sketched the imagined conditions Of
his capture by and deliverance from
those accursed heretics who held the
Island Of Barbados
"Benedicamus Domino" said the
friar to his tale.
"Ex hoe nunc ct usoue IN seculum,"
replied Blood, the occasional Papist,
with lowered eyes.
The admiral and his attending ofh-
GERS gave him a sympathetic hearing
and a cordial welcome. Then came
the dreaded question.
But where is my brother? Why
has he not come himself to greet
me?'
It was young Espinosa who an
swered this.
my father is AFFLICTED at denying
himself that honor and pleasure. But.
unfortunately, sir uncle, he is little
indisposed Oh, nothing grave; mere
Iy suficient to make him keep his
cabin. 1t is. q little fever, the result
Of a slight wound taken in the recent
raid upon Barbados, which resulted
in this gentlemans happy deliver
ance.'
Nay, nephew; nay" Don Miguel
protested with ironic reputation. 81
can have no knowledge of these
things. I have the honor to represent
upon the seas his Catholic majesty,
who lis at peace with the King of
England. Already you have told me
more than it is good for me to know.
I will endeavor to forget it, and
will ask you. sirs." he added, giancing
at his officers, ITO forget it also"
But he winked into the twinkling
eyes Of Capt Blood. Then added
MATTER that at once extinguished that