Arizona state miner., 1926-05-08

behind us. / realized, too, that both
ODonnell and the officer in the laced
coat were shouting volubly, the one
in English and the other in Spanish,
trying to make themselves heard
above the din.
"-asks parley," came in broken
phrases from O'Donnell. cannot
understand-regrettab mistake"
Der Spaniard wants quarter"
grunted Peter
Indeed, those Of the Santissima
Trinidad's men who had been resist
ing US promptly flung down their
arms, glad of the excuse to quit the
fight but the wolves of the James
crew were not schooled to show
mercy, and they killed three poor fell
lows before Peter and l could knock
up their cutlasses.
Murray's whistle blew a second
time. There was a sudden hush, pune
,tuated by the grinding of the two YES
sells, the thudding of unshod feet as
more of the James pirates dropped
aboard the treasure ship, the gagging
cries of the wounded, the nasal sing
song of a priest pattering Latin
prayers.
l seized the opportunity to look
around. We were too close under the
poop to see what went on beyond the
rail directly overhead; but the main
deck, fore and aft, was pitiful spec
tacle-cluttered with wreckage and
dead men and bits of men and wo-
men wounded in every conceivable
fashion, its yellow-sand carp t
gemmed with carmine pools and rivu-
let's
My great-uncle, as immaculate as
when he had ascended the James bull
warks, stood little ahead Of the mass
of his followers, his serene face and
rich clothing in startling contrast with
their nakedness and frank brutality.
trickle of blood dripped from the
point Of his slender sword. His at
titude was that of an honorable man
who wishes to be reasonable in a diff
ticult situation.
Il believe I heard an appeal for
quarter" he said quietly
"Sir, you did," replied O'Donnell
81 have spoken for the gentleman be-
side me, Senor Don Ascanio de Hur-
tado Y Custa, who is captain of this
vessel"
81 am honored, sir" returned my
great-uncle. "And yourselfY
O'Donnell did not altogether relish
the playing of his part. He bit his
lip and hestitated an instant before
he answered
II am Colonel O'Donnell, an officer
in the service of his Most Catholic
Majesty"
"Ah; and what can I do for you,
gentlemen?" inquired my great-uncle
O'Donnell hesitated again and con-
ferred with the Spanish officer
Sir" he said then, Don Ascanio
asks you by me: Since when have
your country and Spain been at WARP"
ITO the best of my knowledge, they
are not at this present" my great
uncle answered blandly.
"Then to what cause must me at
tribute his-this-ah- unwarrantable
attack" demanded O'Donnell.
Il am afraid" replied my great
uncle almost with sorrow, 'that I am
unable to satisfy your curiosity upon
that point"
The Spaniard burst into a declara-
tfon of passionate intensity, which
Murray interrupted.
Il am so fortunate as to compre-
bend the noble Spanish tongue" he
said. "Would you be so kind, Colonel
ODonnell, as to acquaint your friend
with the fact, and to assure him that
l regret he must accept the situation
as it stands? I am desirous of spar
ing the lives Of those of his people
who survive, but at a pinch l will
slay them all to compass my inten-
tion."
"And what is that?" asked O'Don-
nell.
ITO relieve Don Ascanio Of the con-
signment Of treasure he carries" an
swered my great-uncle. "When it is
aboard my ship he shall be at liberty
to continue his voyage"
~ OOuuoll proceeded DalClngIy TO
translate this statement He never
finished it. The Spaniard launched
a fresh torrent of curses, broke his
sword across his knee and tossed the
pieces oversize My great-uncle nod
ded sympathetically.
"'Tis an unpeasant plight, I know"
he said. "Had Don Ascanio not dis
carded his sword I should have been
delighted to yield him an opportunity
for such satisfaction as one gentle
man may give another
"However-I must stipulate further,
Colonel O'Donnell: that the crew of
the Santissima Trinidad shall be
placed in confinement for so long as
suits my purpose. Any resistance
must cause additional bloodshed.
which, l am sure, you will agree is
unnecessary"
Don Ascanio will say no more"
returned O'Donnell. "He washes his