, 1926-04-07

behind us. I realized, too, that both
O'Donnell 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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS mistake"
Der Spaniard wants quarter"
grunted Peter.
Indeed, those of the Santissima
Trlnldad'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 "A pltiful spec
tacle-cluttered with wreckage and
dead men and bits of men and wo-
men wounded in every conceivable
fashion. its yellow-sand carpet
gemmed with carmlne pools and rivu-
lets.
My g~reat-uncle, ms immaculate as
when he had assembled the James bull
warks, stood n little ahead of the mass
of his followers. his serene face and
rich clothing in startling contrast with
their n~akedness and frank brutality.
A trlckle of blood drlpped 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.
81 believe l heard an appeal for
quarter" he said quietly.
"Sir, you did" replied O'Donnell.
81 have spoken for the gentleman be-
side me, Senior Don Ascanio de Hur-
tado Y Custa, who is captain of this
vessel"
81 am honored. SIR" returned my
great-uncle. And yourself?'
O'Donnell did not altogether relish
the playing of his part. He bit his
lip and hestltated an Instant before
lie answered.
Il am Colonel O'Donnell. an officer
in the service of his Most Catholic
Majesty"
All; and what can | do for you.
gentlemen?' inquired my great-uncle.
OfDonnell hesltated 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 war;"
"To the best of my knowledge, they
are not at this present." my great
uncle answered blandly.
Then to what cause must me at
ribut this-thls-ah- unwarrantable
attackT' demanded O'Donnell.
81 am afraid" replied my great.
uncle almost with sorrow, that | am
unable to satisfy your curiosity upon
that point"
The Spanlard burst into a deciara-
tion OF passionate intensity. which
Murray interrupted.
81 am so fortunate ms to compre-
bend the noble Spanish tongue" he
said. would you he so kind, Colonel
oDonnell. as TO acquaint your friend
with the fact. and to assure him that
| regret he must accept the situation
as IL stands? | am DESTROYS of spar.
ing the lives Of those of his people
who survive. but at a pinch / will
Stay them all to compass my inten.
ton"
"And what is that?" asked O'Don.
nell.
ITO relieve Don Ascanlo Of the con
slgnment OF treasure he cnrrles," an.
swered my great-uncle. "When It Is
aboard my ship he shall be at liberty
to continue his voyage"
OfDonnell proceeded hnltingly to
translate this statement. He never
finished II. The Spanlard launched
"A fresh torrent OF curses. broke his
sword across his knee and tossed the
pieces oversize. My great-uncle nod
ded sympntheticnlly.
"'Tis an unpeasant plight. I know"
he said. Had Don Ascanlo not dis.
cnrded his sword ! should have been
delighted 10 yield him nm opportunity
for such satisfaction MS one gentle.
man may give another.
However, must stipulate further,
Colonel OfDonnell. that the crew OF
the Santlssima Trinidad shall be
placed In confinement for so long as
suits my purpose. Any resistance
must cause additional b~loodshed,
which. ] am sure, you will agree II
unnecessary"
"Dnn AscnnIo will say no more"