The Last Voyage
of 15he
Donna Isabel
By Randall Parrish
Author of Bob Hampton or Piacer.
Illustrations bv Deaborn Melvill
witn that. See! here I possess the
commission, all signed and. sealed by
my government, CT a cptflE tii the
Peruvian navy. Only Is the name left
blank for me to write in. I write In
your name; that makes you an officer
of the Peruvian navy. See you what It
means? Chile dare not touch you ex
cept as prisoner of wsr. Is that not
right, senor? But I not stop even with
that no, no! When the Esmeralda
cornea Barely to Peru, the government
pays you five thousand American dol
lars in gold. I pledge you that, I,
Emllio de Castillo, admiral."
I walked the floor twice from wall
to wall, thinking swiftly, the sodden
cigar clinched tightly between my
teeth. I could perceive no reason why
the deed might not be accomplished
if luck favored, and I was sufficiently
young so that the danger rather ap
pealed than repelled. Suddenly I
wheeled and faced him, still seated at
the table.
"You may fill out the blank, senor,"
I announced, quietly. "I will try a
throw of the dice."
CHAPTER IV.
In Which I Meet My Crew.
The polite hotel clerk halted me as
I passed his desk on the way out with
information that a drunken naval offi
cer evidently Sanchez had been
there twice already seeking me, had
also asked for Lord Darlington, and
would return again at ten o'clock. I
thanked him, smiling to myself, won
dering it the English nobleman was
to be challenged also, and promptly
disappeared Into the night without.
The unfortunate affair with the ag
grieved lieutenant had become a small
matter no longer troubling me.
I have wandered by night through
most of the seaports of the world,
knowing well the intricacies and dark
places of Port Said, Melbourne and
Calcutta, but I doubt if even the un
speakable orient can equal for dirt,
squalor, crime and peril those narrow,
crooked alleyways where sailors most
do congregate against the Valparaiso
water-front. Here rather in bestial
rioting the scum of the South seas,
and here flourish their parasites. Any
night a trip alone through those foul J
lanes Is of the kind to test strong
nerves; but on this special occasion, 1
the way filled with pandemonium and
drunkenness, tho entire city a riot
of noisy violence, the populace aroused
to fierce hato toward all foreigners,
the passage was one of constantly re
curring danger. The street lights, few
and far between, were mere blotches
of color winking feebly at the sur
rounding darkness, the rough cobble
stone pavement underfoot was Irregu
lar and deceitful, while drunken
crowds, either quarrelsome or mail
dllngly affectionate, surged aimlessly
about, gesticulating and yelling with
Latin fervor. However, I knew the
way well, and kept myself hidden from
observation by hovering close beneath
the protecting shadows of the build
ings, drawing well back within door
ways to permit the nolser parties of
revelers to pass, and then hurrying
forward along the deserted streets. I
stumbled over the body of more than
one drunken man, while sounds of
quarreling were borne to me through
the open door of every low taproom I
passed. The scum of Valparaiso had
come to the top, the fires of hell burn
ing fiercely.
Pedro Rodrlgues' den stood some
what back from the narrow lane It
fronted, flanked and concealed by
tailor buildings on olther side. It was
x ramshackle, wooden affair, sagging
badly at one corner, the half dozen
steps leading to the open door being
only dimly lighted. As It was a well
known resort, frequented almost en
tlrely by foreign seamen who would
scarcely be safe on the streets such
a night as this, It was no surprise to
discover the taproom densely
crowded with sailor-men, and to dis
tlngulsh a voice singing lustily In rig
orous English, to an accompaniment
of glasses pounding upon the rough
tables. Indeed, a wild, hilarious mob
greeted me loudly as I pressed aside
the heavy curtain and stepped vlthln.
I mt a quick, comprehensive ;lance
over the faces, upturned through the
enveloping haze Swedes and Finns
from the North sea, Dutchmen of the
Baltic, hairy Englishmen from the
channel, Yankees of the West Atlan
tic, beach-comber! from out of the
South seas, with here and there
negro or brown faced Kanaka to add
to the variety. Faith, It was a choice
collection, as though the wide watert
of the world had been skimmed to
bring together that rare crew of beau
ties. Perched high upon a table, his
long legs encased In sea boots, seated
astride a chair, sat the singer, his
nop of coarse red hair standing erect.
his Jaw that of a bulldog, the scar of
a recent knife wound showing ghastly
across one cheek, his blue shirt open
at the throat to reveal a hairy chest:
beneath thatched brows his eyes
glinted and gleamed Is ferocious at
tempt at good humor.
"aiK. l bullle aj-.oe roared, after
one Inquiring glance toward me, bring
ing his heavy glass down on the back
of the chair. "Lay it out fer the gent.
whut has Just come callln' on ye. Tune
up, ye sea dogs. I'm no hopera hartlst
here to entertain ye. Give us a swing
to the chorus now, or I'll shy this mug
into yer bloomin' faces. Lift the tune,
my hearties, and show the dagoes out
side whut ye can do. Now at It:
The captain's brlda was (air to see;
Swing hard! bend low!
She mocked at htm; she smiled at me;
Swing hard! bend low!
"Oh, to hell wld that sorter love-sick
stuff," cried a protesting voice, hoarse
ly. "That's no good sailor song, Bill.
Give us somethin to start our pipes."
The giant in the chair scowled.
"Ye're a lot o' dubs, an' not fit sail
or-men," he retorted, savagely, drain
lng his glass; "but I've got a chorus
ye'll sing or fight me, an dam If 1
care much which. Now take a grip at
this:
A mighty man was Tat McCann,
Who sailed upon the sea;
Within his hold he hid the gold,
Hb stole In BarbaiVe.
In Barbaree, in Barbaree
The men He mute,
He has the loot,
lie found In Barbaree.
They were still at It, the motley,
mongrel crew, their hoarse, drink-
thickened voloes roaring out lines full
of the fierce swing of the deep sea,
their glasses pounding In unison on
the tables, as I pushed my way
through them up to the sloppy bar
and faced the fellow standing behind.
"Is there a Yankee whaleman here
by the name of Tuttle?" I asked.
He stared at me, his eyes squinting,
while the wild chorus began to die
away like a clock run down.
"Bill, whar's Cap' Tut'?" he called
out finally. "Here's a cove wants
him."
The red-headed giant, perched aloft
on the chair, flung one hand indiffer
ently across his shoulder toward tho
rear of the room.
"Come on again, mates," he roared.
"Another drink, and another sons.
Spit it out this time 'Swing hard!
Bend low!'"
"He's yonder In the hack room;
through that door, mate," said the
bartender, shortly. "Better not tread
cn any of tho lads' fort goln' In, unless
maybe ye're here to-night huntln'
trouble. They're Just 'bout drunk
enough now to ba ready to start a
row."
I picked my way with caution, the
f.orco lilt of thnt dovlls' chorus stun
ning my ears, the hairy faces con
fronting me scowllngly suggestive of
any crime. Saint Andrew! I thought
soberly, If this was still the day of
pirates here was a brood ready for
hatching. With a feeling of positive
relief I pressed open tho heavy wood
en door, stepped within and closed It
carefully behind me. So tightly fitting
and solid the wood it Instantly shut
out completely the mad riot of the
barroom. It was like coming Into a
new world. Two men sat alone at a
small, round table smoking, between
them a short-necked .black bottle with
glasses, and a scattered deck of greasy
cards. The one nearest where I stood,
tall, long-limbed, angular, his face thin
and made to appear more so from a
sandy chln-whlsker, had his knees
swung over the arm of his chair, a
bald spot on the top of his head Bhln
lng conspicuously beneath the rays of
the lamp. His companion was consid
erably younger, somewhat trim of
build, with black, curling hair, and
small mustaches curled upward at
the tips. He war nf a complexion to
make me think him either a Creole or
quadroon, but with smiling lips and a
light In his merry eyes bespeaking a
temperament of good humor.
"Capt. Ell Tuttle?" I questioned,
doubtfully.
The older roan slowly deposited his
feet on the floor and stood up. He
was a
In a black frock coat which dangled
1 world saints ar.d slaaers must InJoeJ
T.lr.sle bodily, yet not la any com
munion of spirit. It was for peaceful
. - 1 1 . . t V . . . V 2 7
iucuuiiiuu liiat iiit-uu uv ,ui auu
deserted yonder scene of revelry and
sought this secluded spot. Truly the
good book saith that where one or
two are gathered together in hU name
there is he also in the midst of them."
' The Creole laughed outright, smiting
the table smartly with his palm.
"Clt down, mate!" he exclaimed,
genially, kicking up a chair. "After
you know zis ol' hypocrite as well a
I do, hU communion vli spirits won't
bozzer you much. Help yourself to
drink, an' wash the taste out you'
mouth."
Tuttle wheeled about and stared at
his companion, his thin Jaw working
savagely; but the Creole went on roll
ing a cigarette Indifferently between
his brown fingers, his white teeth
gleaming. I remained standing, my
hand on the back of the chair, Intently
studying the pair.
"I come directly from Don Castillo."
I said, quietly, facing the Yankee, and
determined to get down to business.
and desire to speak with you alone.'
His glinting eyes narrowed per
ceptibly, and his Jaws crunched down
upon the tobacco In his cheek.
" 'TIs safe enough with him," he ac
knowledged rather ungraciously, his
voice becoming nasal as he pointed his
chin-beard toward the other. "De
Nova Is second officer."
I drew back the chair and sat down,
realizing that I now possessed the at
tention of both.
"I have been appointed to assume
Capt. Castelar's duties," I announced
quietly. "Do either of you care to e
amine my papers?"
Tuttle spat Bllently Into the saw
dust, while De Nova exhibited his
white teeth In a grin. The eyes of the
two men met.
"I rather guess your papers won't
cut much Ice in this yere affair," re
turned the former with deliberate la
solence, "being as how we don't either
of us give a tinker's dam' fer Peru, It
If you'll pardon my sayin' so plaftly,
His mask had disappeared as by
magic, and I realized instantly the
real nature of the man.
"You mean no enlistment has been
made, either by you, or the men under
you?"
"That's Just about the size of It,
mister," his tone full of unconcealed
contempt, his leg flung once again
over the arm of the chair. "We agreed
to do this one particular Job fer a cer
tain consideration, but we're none of
us Peruvian sailor-men, and .conse
quently don t give a hang for your
papers. Ain't that about It, De Nova?"
Tho creolo nodded, still smiling
pleasantly, the blue smoko curling
lazily up from the end of his cigarette.
Evidently tho two were nctlvely en
gaged In taking my measure, and thi3
wag to be a caso of man against man,
rather than tho exercise of any dele
gated authority. I might as well throw
my commission into the fire for any
i real va'.uo It possessed hore. All
i rlsht; I had met and attended to their
i kind before.
"I am delighted to understand the
situation bo clearly and quickly," I
Tuttle Wheeled and Stared, His Jaw
Working Savagely,
said, sharply, throwing a note of au
thorlty into my voice and manner. "It
simplifies my task. Now listen to
me, Mr. Tuttle," giving him his formal
title, "and you likewise, De Nova. 1
probably care as little for those pa
pen as either of you, but, neverthe
less, I am in command. Do you both
trifle round-shouldered, attired cler'y comprehend that?-I am la
irv frnrv emt whinh H.nrioii ! command! It will be Just as well for
to the knees, and his eyes of cold gray
narrowed Into mere slits as he In
spected me with undisguised sus
picion.
"The spirit which for 70 years hath
mr.de answer to that earthly name
still abldeth within this fleshly body,"
he responded solemnly, In a voice
seemingly from the very pit of his
stomach. "I am still permitted to
sail the seas, thus known to the chil
dren of men, awaiting In putlenee the
hour of translation."
To bn greeted thus In such a spot
stunned me for the Instant, my cheeks
flushing as I rend undisguised amuse
ment In the upturned face of the Cre
ole. My teeth shut together hard.
"You are Ell Tuttle. then, formerly
master of the whaling bark Betsy?"
"Even so, young man," his lean face
perfectly emotionless, his long fingers
outspread flat on the table. "Ell Tut
tle of New Bedford, once the chief of
sinners, but now communing with the
higher life of the spirit world. As
sociate me not with yonder ungodly
erew, blind to the truth of the be
yond," and he snapped his Angers soft
ly toward the closed door. "la this
you not to attempt any horse-play. I
am no dago sea-officer, but a North
American sailor, and I didn't come
crawling Into my first ship through a
cabin window. I've tamed mutinous
crews before now, and when I'm up
against sea-scum I can hit as hard as
the next follow. If either of you de
sire, to test my qualities as a bucko-
mate, I'm here to accommodate you."
Neither answered, but I read their
conclusion In their eyes.
"Thafa all I need to say now," I
went on. "It's up to you to fish or cut
bait. You fellows have nothing to
gain by opposing me, and I hope you
possess sense enough to know It. De
Nova, where have I ever met you be
fore?"
The Creole's face Instantly bright
ened again, his white teeth gleaming
under the black mustache.
"8o monsieur remember," he lisped
gently, leaning forward on the table
'1 thought maybe you forget altogeth
er 'bout tat time. But I know you at
once w en you come la. It make me
laugh to see lis Yankee try bait you
like you was a dago steamboater. Bah,
! know you all right for sailor man
I know you do business."
"Hut I am unable to place you."
" "No. not yet: maybe you will w'en
I say more." He spoke rapidly, ges
ticulating with excitement. "It was a
little ship off Hatteras; ze storm five
days, an' all wreck. It was a steamer.
'lte, wiss red stacks, tat took off ze
crew, an' it was hell of a Job. Zat was
ze story, monsieur; I was mate of ze
Cymbeline."
I knew him then Instantly, my mem
ory picturing anew the cold, gray
dawn, the green, angry seas, the help
less, sodden hulk heaving slckenlngly
to Its death, and those water-drenched
forms we hauled over the sinking rail
Into our tossing boat. I held forth
my hand, and his brown fingers, hard
as Iron, closed over it In a grip to be
felt
"Sure, It's come back, mate," I said.
"I rather guess I can count on you."
His dark eye met mine la frank
honesty.
Running arms for the Cuban revo
lutionists then, weren't you?" I asked.
Indifferently . "WhaL slnce?"
He shrugged his shoulders, glancing
across at Tuttle, and fingering hln
mustache.
"Sacre! It has been as ze devil
drove," easily. "Ze last waa sandal
wood In ze South seas. I care little,
so ze pay be good."
"Then we'll get down to facts," and
I sat back In the chair fronting the
two of them. "Mr. Tuttle, how many
men have you enlisted for this affair?"
"Twenty."
"Those follows out yonder?" and I
nodded toward the closed door. He
exhibited his yellow teeth, his eyes
narrowing.
"They'll be about all ye'll want to
tackle, I guess," he volunteered, with
some assumption of cheerfulness, "un
less maybe you decide to turn this
expedition Into piracy, an give 'em
half the spoils. They're that sort, all
right."
I straightened back In my chair, my
Jaws set hard, my gaze endeavoring
vainly to catch and hold his shifty
eye.
"Mr. Tuttle," I said, sternly, "as I
understand matters I am captain this
cruise, and you're mate. Whenever I
desire your advice I'll probably ask for
It. Just at present please confine
yourself to my questions. What crew
have you?"
The expression of his face was
angry enough, yet he evidently
thought best to answer civilly.
"First and second officers, boatswain
and gunner, five coal-heavers, the rest
seamen."
"Nationality?"
"Every mongrel race under the
sky."
"You have no engineer?"
"Couldn't pick tip nny; however
there's one on board, and, no doubt
we can persuade htm to atlek to tho
Job."
The man's manner and tono re
mained surly and Insolent, but I
gripped my Indignation and held buck
the hot words burning my tongue. It
was necessary that I mako the best of
It now, but after we wero once safely
at sea I intended very sho'rtly to take
the measure of this Yankee whaleman.
My eyes wandered toward tho olive
tinted face of Do Nova, barely visible
through the enveloping smoko of his
cigarette. The latter nodded cheer
fully, 83 though he Interpreted my
thought.
Oh, zo men was all right, mon
sieur," he put In, smilingly. "Mayboe
a bit rough, but, sacre, w'at would
you; his shoulders rising to the ques
tion. "Mr. Tuttle he grumble, but It
was all bark. I know him, an' I raz
zer have him so tan hear him talk to
ze spirits; w'en he do zat, It make me
sick, by gar!"
"You blaspheming, mongrel Infidel,"
the whaleman's nasal voice rising
shrill with anger. "I don't have to
count beads In order to lift my soul to
the other world."
"There la liable to bo fighting
enough before morning," I Interposed,
sharply, fearing a quarrel, "without
comrades falling out about their be
lief. Leave that for lubbers ashore
to argue over. Now tell me what ar
rangements have been made for board'
lng the Esmeralda?"
Tuttle spat Into the sawdust, his
gaze still on De Nova.
"Two boats concealed beneath the
piling of the Mercantile Company's
coal wharf; a whaleboat and a cutter,
"Any arms?"
"A dozen rifles, six In each boat."
I arose to my feet, glancing at my
watch In the dim light. He had not
given me the customary "sir" In any
of his replies, yet I Ignored the omis
sion, willing for the time being to
sink formality for the sake of action.
"Very well, Mr. Tuttle. Have your
men there In an hour from now. They
had better travel In parties of two;
and see that they start out sober. You
understand these orders clearly, I
hope, sir have them there In an hour,
sober. De Nova, you must know how
to bring sailor men to their senses;
get busy with that gang. Now work
rapidly and quickly, both of you, for If
we get caught, this Is likely to be
hanging matter for all of us."
I stared at the two of them for Just
an Instant De Nova on his feet, Tut
tie leaning forward In his chair and
stepped forth Into the cuter room
closing the door behind me.
drunken yell greeted my re-entrance
Into the boisterous crowd, out ignor
in rvthin lancln neither to
right nor left. I picked my way through
the motley gathering out lnV me woi
come blackness of the eight.
I
jfl " '
P
1
The
Consideration
Paramount
In Buying
is, first of all, reliability.
Dutchess Trousers are
made of the best cloths, care
fully selected from the most
reliable mills. They are made
in a large, sanitary factory by
expert operatives. The
thoroughness of the manu
facturing system enables the
makers to offer the unusual
wairanty of
10 Cents a Button;
$1.00 a Rip.
Prices $1.50, $2, $2.50, $3, $4, and $5
Can
e have the new toiwuelcss lielt for men,
Can be adjusted to H of an Inch variation.
and Tie.
I 50. 06 1
)
c.
E. Wescott's Sons
"Where Quality Counts."
An KnjoynMe Event.
The Ladles' Aid society of My-
nard entertained the Ladles Mis
sionary Rocletyof Liberty at the hos
pitable home of Mrs. Charles Span-
gler, near Murray, last Wednesday
afternoon, May 19.
Social conversation held sway
during the greater part of the after
noon. MIhscb Gertrude Cole, Mae
Barker and Eva Porter furnished
deveral Instrumental selections, and
Miss Barker alno gave a rending, all
of which wns greatly enjoyed by
hone present.
An elegant two course luncheon
was served and ns the sun nenreil
the horizon the ladies departed for
their homes nil voting the Aid So
ciety in general nnd Mrs. Spnnplor
In particular, n splendid hostess.
Those who enjoyed this glorious
occasion wcreMrs. Albert Weton-
rnnip, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. McCoy. Mrs.
'ropst, .Mrs. Lnlr, Mrs. Mnrler,
Mrs. Luke Wiles, Mrs. Ed.
Spnngler, Mrs. Fred Spnngler, Mrs.
Will Stokes, Mrf. Murray, Mrs. Klch-
rdson, Mrs. Peter Perry, Mrs. Ft eve
iarker, Mrs. Writer. Perry, Mrs.
Eaiie Cole, Mrs. (lien Vn lery, Mrs.
Spnror. Mrs. Fleming, Mrs. Vlrgen,
Mrs. Lloyd Gnpcn, Mrs. Osral VIrgen,
Mrs. John Spnngler, Mrs. Charles
Spnngler, Mrs. Charles Perry, Mrs.
Oscar (inpon, Mrs. Wilbur Cole, Mrs.
oe Cook, Mrs. Frank Young, Mrs. W.
). Wheeler. Mrs. Albert- Wheeler,
Misses Mae Barker, Lizzie Spnngler,
Eva Porter. Gertrude Cole. Glenna
Barker nnd Lizzie Wheeler.
Fluff Anniversary. .
The American Flag Association
has issued Its annual reminder that
Monday, June 14, will be the anni
versary of the adoption of the
Stars and Stripes as the flag of the
United States tho 132nd anniver
sary. It renews Its request that by proc
lamation of governor and mayor,
through aation by newspapers,
school boards; societies and indi
viduals the day be marked by gener
al display of the national ensign.
It will recall to the mature the ob
ligations of loynlty and arouse In
the young the idea thnt tho flag Is
a symbol which demand the return
of faith, devotion and sacrifice for
Its guarantees of liberty nnd tho pur
suit of happiness. Fly the flag on
June 14.
CHAPTER V.
In Which We 0ln the Deck.
I caused a moment amid the dense
shadows to reflect more carefully upon
un of the details of our night's
w.o;k. Far tie flrsj time 1 clearly
Everyone Is Invited to the Ice
cream nnd box social nt Watson
Long's three miles west of Mynard,
Saturday (veiling. May 20.
A Nervous Man.
The modern style of life created
Mie nervous man. He cannot stay for
a long while In one plnce, cannot at
tend to business properly, cannot eat
or sleep, hates society and amuse
ments, ills nerves are exhausted
and need new food. The simplest and
best way to feed the nerves Is to com
pel the digestive orgnns to accept and
digest enough nutritious food. Give
the patient Trlnor's American Elixir
or Hitter ine, regularly for some
time, to stimulate the appetite. As
soon as this Is done tho digestive or
gans will resume their work, new
blood will result from the asslmlln
tlon of food and this now blood will
distribute the food to everp particle
of the human body. The nerves will
become strong. Use this remedy In
all forms of nervousness and In dis
turbances of the digestion. At drug
tores. Jos. Trlnner, 616-622 S. Ash-
land avenue, Chicago, I I.
Will Go To Tcmis,
At a meeting of tho two other
clubs Interestsd In lands In tho Ber
muda colony near San Antonio,
Texas, last night, two delegates were
chosen who will go to Texas next
month to Inspect tho lands and Be-
euro deeds for their purchasers. The
delegates chosen were Dr. E. W.
Cook and lion. W. C. Ramsey. In
company with Messrs J. E. McDanlel
and Dr. W. B. Elster, they will leave
here June loth and spend several
days Inspecting tho property and
noting the progress which has been
made toward getting It In cultiva
tion. Tho trip will be a delightful
one and one well worth the making
and the gentlemen will see some
mighty fine country stretched out
under the southern sun.
The Knight Templar last evening
held the Installation of offlen at
their lodge room In the Masonic
building, the following being the of
fleers Installed, viz:
Justus O. Rlehey, Eminent Com
mander.
I). Cook, Generalissimo.
' Or. T. P. Livingston. Captain Gen
eral.
James Robertson, Senior Warden
W. L. Pickett. Junior Warden.
George W. Thomas, Warden.
John C Pnterson, Recorder.
Canon II. B. Burgess, Prelate.
Alfred W. White, Treasurer.
Fred T. Ramge, Standard Bearer
I)r L. F. Cummlntf, Sword Bearer
John Bauer, jr., Sentinel.
Homer Crlppen of LaPlatte came
over this morning from his home to
do some shopping In the city, return
lng on the mail train at noon. Mr
Qippen Is a son of R. Crlppen, the
well known citizen of LaPlatte and
has lived In this vicinity practically
all his life. He Is a fine young man
and one of the best citizens of Sarpy
county.
The Ladlis Al dSoclety of Eight
Mile Grove will have an Ice cream
and box social on Watson Long's
Lawn, Saturday evening. May 29.
Everyone Invited.
A Feeling nf Pride.
A great feeling of pride because of
the achievements of the llmei In
which we live, comes to tho man,
who, having passed through the pio
neer days of this country with all
their 'nconvenlenccs, :un.l.q now on
on" depot platform and beholda the
grea t transcontinental passenger
trains passing through on their way
to the Pacific coast cities, or return
ing from those cities, like ntngid
messengers from our distant nnd
mysterious lands. From the ox
team of '49 to the modem electric,
lighter, steam-heated, vestlbuled
trains, Is a marvelous advance so
marvelous as to almost strgsor the
hnmtn mind.
Mull Order House IUInv Prices.
An employe of an exchange, who
during the Inst four years has work
ed on the making or catalogues for
the city mall order houses, Is au
thority for the statement that thore
hns been a systematic and steady In
crease In the price of articles each
year. This, he says, Is made possi
ble by patons of mail order houses
"getting the habit" and keep blind
ly on never noticing the advance.
Get down your old catalogue and see
for yourself whether or not this Is
true. If It Is true ponder. Maybe
you are being skinned and you don't
know It.
l
(To be Continued)