The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current, May 27, 1909, Image 5
The Last Voyage of lohe Donna Isabel By Randall Parrish Author of Bob Hampton ot Placer. . Illustrations bv Deaborn Melvill realized the desperate nature ol tnis adventure upon which I wai so reck lessly embarked. Could we once at tain the yacht's deck unobserved and make our attack with sufficient swift ness to prevent the discharge ot fire arms, the rest might be accomplished without great risk of discovery, bar ring some unexpected" mishap.' The very audacity of such an attempt was strongly in our favor. If we succeeded in silently warping the Esmeralda be yond range ot the guns ot the shore hatterles all real and Immediate dan ger would be over. Probably not a war vessel In the harbor had steam up, and, If they did, no Chilean war ship could hope to overhaul us when once fairly at sea. I gave the personnel of the crew Tuttle had collected brief considera tion. They were no rougher than I should naturally expect men to be who were volunteering for such a task. Besides, Jack ashore and Jack at sea are two widely differing personalities; once sobered and on shipboard, steadied somewhat by the perils of their position, and exhilarated by the promised reward, they would doubtless prove efficient enough. Tuttle might require a lesBon in sea etiquette, and, 1f he did, I felt perfectly confident of my ability to administer it promptly and forcibly. As for De Nova, I had no doubt that he would prove himself a good man. So, altogether, my spirits rose as I thus contemplated a definite plan of action. The movement on the water was only the merest ripple, with the riding Hunts of the various ships at anchor reflected back as from a plant mir ror. Two vessels, a full-rlgged ship and a small schooner, lay close In shore, apparently deserted, their decks gloomy wastes, their bare spars stick ing up skeleton-like and ghostly. Farther out, and somewhat to the left, a yellow lantern, perhaps in the bow of a guardboat, bobbed about, zig zag ging here and there like some erratic star. It was some time before I could locate with any certainty the partic ular vessel I sought. The harbor was littered with sea craft of every de scription, and my knowledge regarding the Esmeralda was most meager, be ing merely her point of anchorage, and that she was a large steam-yacht, schooner rigged. Finally, Into the focus of the leveled glasses there crept indistinctly the delicate tracery of her bow, rendered more plainly visible beneath the green radiance ot her riding lamp. Lights were showing faintly through several portholes amidships, certain proof that she was not entirely deserted; yet the cabins aft were dark, and the only moving figure I could distinguish with certainty was slowly pacing back and forth along the lee rail of the poop. Suddenly, out from the enveloping smudge, came a shower of sparks and a red glare, and, a moment later, I traced the outlines of a steam launch cleaving the black water. It quickly vanished behind the fog wreaths hang ing to seaward, the faint sound ot Its churning dying away, leaving the si lent loneliness behind more solemnly Impressive than ever. Only from off the land came echoing the noises of men the loud vivas, the reiterated boom of explosives, the ceaseless blare of bands. The scene became oppressive In Its barrenness, and I folt the need of movement to overcome Its weakening effect upon the nerves. This was to he a night ot action, not of dreams, so I groped my uncertain path back along the littered wharf and around the curve of the shore line, beneath the gloomy shadows of coal sheds. Of lights there were comparatively none. If I except the uncertain glimmer of rockets along the water's surface, and I was consequently compelled to feel my way from object to object like a blinded man. Still, the course was sufficiently familiar so that I success fully maintained both footing and di rection, finally emerging safely close beside the spot appointed for our ren deivous. There was considerable open space here, the Mercantile Company s sheds standing some 30 feet back of the shore line, and their wharf for the unloading of barges extending more than 60 feet out into the harbor 1 could dimly perceive a great crane at the farther extremity, with dan gllng buckets, outlined against the sky. The night was too dark for me to decipher the face of my watch, yet It could not now be long before tho arrival of the men. I crouched down beside a post to await their coming. once again searching the harbor with my night glasses. The company at lat arrived by twos from out the enveloping gloom, silent ly grouping themselves amid the shad ows. I could distinguish an occasional gruff cough, and the shuffling of fee., but there was no sound of conversa tion or hilarity. Evidently De Nova had sufficiently sobered them to Ihelr duty. At last one man detached himself from among tli. crowd and moved stealthily forward. 1 met him at the rhore end of the wharf, pvrrrjj 'n hH face, half con ?!:' beneath the visor ot hts cap, until I recognised the fellow. "Crew all here. Mr. Tuttle?" "Yes. sir." he answered, startled by my sudden appearance Into courteous response, "but mighty uneasy to be off." "They shall not be delayed. Get the boats out at once. You are to take charge of the whaleboat and I will accompany De Nova In the cutter. Pull silently to the end of the wharf and He by there to await Instructions. Do your men understand the boats they are assigned to?" "Ay. ay, sir." "Very well, then; get the boats out. and the crews aboard. Not a sound, remember, for there are guards patrol ling the harbor." I must confess this preparatory work was well and smartly accomplished, the men the merest silent shadows as they hauled the two hidden boats forth from concealment and quietly took their assigned places at the oars Turtle's crew was first afloat. . De Nova experiencing some difficulty from attempting to load too near shore, in somewhat shallow water. "Drop overboard, to of you. and shove off," I ordered, finally. "Lively now, lads, but no splashing." The two fellows In the stern low ered themselves Into the shallow wa ter, bending down so as to put their shoulders against the planks for a heave. Suddenly, not three feet dis tant, a smudge of shadow uplifted, and I became conscious of a pallid human face gleaming faintly through the dark. Instantly I leaped toward it, with such force as to send the heavily laden boat swirling forward, the heav ing men plunging face downward Into the water. There was a startled ex clamation In Spanish, a short-arm blow shot into a dimly revealed, half fanilllar face, a fierce grip at the throat, and the two of us were on the sand, grappling like wild cats. Out of tho water, dripping from their bath, the two Beamcn came to my aid, and, between us, we pinned the fellow to helpless fcilence. "Toss him into the boat," I said, panting from exertion. . "He will be safer with us than left ashore." It appeared even darker out on the j water than when we looked off upon It from the land, but, with a few cau tious strokes, we discovered the smudge which represented Tuttle's whaleboat, and drew up within an oar's length ot where he lay waiting. "Mr. Tuttle," I began, speaking slowly and concisely so that the men in both boats could hear, "this is going to be no boy's play to-night, and I ex pect implicit obedience to my orders. Do exactly what I tell you and no more. You know the situation ot the Esmeralda, and I want you to put your whaleboat In under her bow. If you keep a potnt east of north you can scarcely miss it There Is a lumping big brlgantlne anchored 100 feet be yond, with only a single light showing on her foremast It you come up un der her shadow you are not likely to be seen before you drift down against the Esmeralda's cutwater. Make use of the anchor-chain, and get half a dozen men quietly over the forecastle rail. Don't move from there until you receive some signal from me. Then clap down the forecastle scuttle, and make straight for the engine room. That will comprise the entire duty of your crew; and, above all things, let it be accomplished silently. Don't per mit one of your men to carry a loaded firearm. Use belaying pins, it you need to, or a marllnsplke, but no guns. De Nova and I will go In by way of the stern, and we will be responsible for the after-deck and the bridge. Has any one a question to ask?" There was no response, the only sounds audible being the soft lapping of the water and the deep breathing The Two of Us Were on the Sand, Grappling Like Wild Cats. of the men. I could distinguish them leaning eagerly forward, but the faces were undecjpherable In the gloom. "You understand clearly?" "A, ay, Mr. Stephens," and Tuttle's nasal voice had completely lost all its former trace of insolence. "Then pull away slowly and noise lessly; don't hurry; we'll give you plenty of time to get In. Good by, and good luck to you." The balanced oars dipped gently into the water, scarcely rippling it. and the sharp-stemmed whaleboat glided away Into the surrounding blackness like a ghost. "All right now. De Nova." I whis pered. "I'll go forward into the bow. Keep her head off about a point and watch out for signals." , We slipped through the water si lently, the sound of the dipping oar. blades little more audible than the suppressed breathing ot the oarsmen. Confident that if any eyes were watch ing from the deck they were not like ly to be directed astern, we made wide detour, creeping cautiously In beneath the slight bulge of the yacht's side, until the fellow behind me fastened his boatbook firmly into the after chains. Breathlessly we waited listening, but no sound reached us other than the slight hiss of escaping steam. "Hold hard!" I whispered, the word passing back from man to roan. "Two remain with the boat, the rest follow me." I crept silently up into the chains and peered cautiously over onto the open deck. It was wrapped in dark ness and silence, the sole gleam ot revealing light coming from out the open main-hatch, and that only the merest glimmer Bllghtly Illuminating the ship amidships. There was a lamp alight in the after-cabin, but the shades were drawn so closely I could scarcely perceive its presence. I be came aware that De Nova stood be- e.'ae m. "There is certainly no watchman aft," I announced, softly, "unless he be found upon the other side of the cabin Batten down the companionway while I examine the deck. Two of you men come with me," We dropped over the low rail to gether, moving silently in our stocking-feet. The roof of the cabin, form ing the quarter deck, extended clear to the rail. We groped over this shad owed space as though exploring a cave, encountering nothing except a few camp stools, although my fingers discovered a goodly sized boat swing ing from davits across the stern. From the opposite side we could peer for ward toward the dim light streaming from out the hatch, the deck being thus fairly revealed as far as tbe fun nel. Beyond all remained black and Impenetrable. A man sat upon a bench against the side of the galley, a dull red showing from his pipe bowl. His earliest knowledge of our presence was when the two men closed on his windpipe, and I pressed a revolver muzzle against his cheek. "Not a sound, Jack," I muttered sternly In Spanish, "or else your life pays for it." The pipe fell with a click to the deck, the fellow's eyes staring up at us, his opened mouth showing oddly amid a surrounding gray beard. A moment later, securely gagged and bound, we rolled his body close In against the rail. "I thought I heard a bit of a blow and a yelp on the fo'castle Just now, sir," said one of the men, pointing eagerly forward. I stood still, intent ly listening, staring Into the gloom. "Quiet enough there at present Probably Mr. Tuttle has been attend ing to the for'ard watch. Come on, lads, and we'll join forces with him." Beyond all doubt the main deck was clear as far as the bridge, and, provid ing Tuttle's crew had attended to their share of the work, as far as the fo'castle head as well. We advanced cautiously, keeping close within the denser shade along the weather rail, pausing a moment to peer over the edge of the open hatchway Into the illuminated space below. Two Ka nakas, naked to the waist, their slim, brown bodies glistening, each grasp ing the handle of a coal scoop, were backed up against a bulkhead con versing, while on a low stool, tipped back to a comfortable angle, his feet on the rounded crossplece, a pipe In his mouth, his hands burled deep In his pockets, sat a white man, with red face and long, sandy mustaches. His brown overalls and pink under shirt told nothing distinctive, but the uniform cap, pushed well back on his bristling stock of hair, proclaimed htm the vessel's engineer. As I drew back from this swift survey, Mr. Tuttle suddenly rounded the end of the chart house, and, with whispered word of Inquiry to one ot the men, advanced to meet me. "Well," I said as soon as certain of his Identity, "the after-deck Is ours without a blow; what have you dls covered forward?" "Two men were posted on the fo' castle, sir," ho returned, the disagree able nasal tone apparent even In his subdued voice. "We got thorn both, but Mason was pricked with a knife during the scuffle." "Did you close the fo'castle?" I questioned briefly. "All fast, sir, but I doubt it any ot the crew are below." "Well, there are somo down In the engine room, and the fellow in charge looks as if he might fight on occasion. Take half a dozen men with you, and Jump below. The Kanakas won't make any serious trouble, but you had bet ter clap a gun to the englnuer." I watched them as they swarmed like rats over the hatch-combing and dropped down Into the light. There was a scurrying of bodies, a shnrp ex change of blows, a yelp of alarm from tho startled Kanakns, a stout volley of English oaths, and, when the tangle partially cleared away, the engineer was lying flat on his brck, the kn (To be Continued) KLMWOOIK From the Loader-Echo. A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brauchman last week. We are glad to report that Mrs. MiLaughlin is steadily Improving, being able to sit up at times. F. A. Raker went to Lincoln yes terday to look at automobiles. He expects to make the purchase of a fine Maxwell car in the near fu ture. Mrs. John Hayes arrived last week from Pasadena. Calif. She does not enjoy good health on the coast and expresses a desire to return to Cass county to live. Herman Engleklng who had the misfortune to lose the tip ot his finger and came near losing the tip of another in a mlxup with a corn planter two weeks ago, la doing nice ly, and will soon be able to use his hand. On Tuesday afternoon a kitchen shower was given Miss Ella Bryan at the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Clapp. A goodly number of friends were present and an en joyable time was had by all. Punch and wafers were served after the bride elect had unwrapped her many beautiful and useful presents. Gust Taubenhelm, wife and daugh ter, of Amherst, Neb., arrived Wed nesday for a visit with William Schick and family. Mrs. Taubenlelm and Mrs. Schick were schoolmates In Germany, and the two ladles had not seen each other for twenty-eight years. Their meeting was doubtless a Joyous one and their visit will bo one of much pleasure. Carl Klersey Jumped In a puddle of water Friday evening, and whpn he crawled out found that he had amputated tho fourth toe of his right foot at the second joint. ' Maybe he found out before, but however that may have been he wasn't long In making the fact known, and one of our doctors sewed the toe back on. It was hanging by a thin layer of skin on the upper part of the toe. IMOX. From the Ledger. MIks Etta IjuUoI.s lias been very ill for several days, but Is reported to be Improving. Mrs. Will Cllncburg arrived on Sunday from Tecumseh, and is visit Ing her mother, Mrs. Allison, n few miles north of here. Roy Stine had his left hand very bndly Injured last Friday while manipulating the loading apparatus at the railroad coal chutes. liny Finns departed on Monday for Burlington Junrtlon, Mo., to spend several days at the mlnernl springs for benefit of his health. Mrs. G. S. Upton and Mrs. J. T. Reynolds departed last Saturday for Craig, Mo., having been notified of the very serious illness of Joseph Reynolds at that place. A. D. Hathaway went to Lincoln Sunday morning to see his brother Syl, who was injured by explosion of a cartridge while he was on duty as guard at the penitentiary. Artie McKean departed Saturday night for Hamburg, Iowa, having received a message stating that his father's death might be expected at any moment. He arrived there too late to see his father alive. Charles Relnhart of Dlller, Neb. was here last week to spend a few days with his friend, Myron Lynde and family. Mr. Relnhart resided In this vicinity about twenty years ago, and enjoyed meeting many of his old acquaintances. The railroad grading crew that has been working near here several weeks, with A. H. Mllby as fore man and A. E. Whitlow as time keeper, moved to Auburn on Tuesday, where a large amount of work has to be done immediately. Stull Get Verdict. The Jury In the case of Henry Stull vs. the M. P. Railroad Company was out but a short time last even ing when they returned a verdict In favor of the plaintiff for $147.98. The plaintiff sued for $150 loss for destruction of hay by fire set by loco motives of the defendant. Evidently the Jury considered his case well brought as they gave him virtually all he asked for, without much dis sent. The Lndlis Al dSoclety of Eight Mile Grove will have an Ice cream and box social on Wotson Long's Lawn. Saturday evening. May 2!. Everyone Invited. I.Mltl. Mirio;. To JnmoK A. Iiynnrt; a nnn-rmluVnt ili-fenilnnt You are IktpIiv notlflcil that nn the Ik! lny of Mnv, A HMtH, Ilelpna A. livBHrt filoil a petition HKdlnxt you In th lilHtrlct Court of Ch County. Ne. Iirankn. the oliject nnl pravpr of which ar, Klri. To oMiiln a divorce from you on tln Krourel t lint you hnv wll fullv ohnmloneil tho plnlntlfT without kooiI rniiH for more than two yi-nrn liiat, ami rWoiut. that you hnv urnmily ami wantonly fnlW-il ami nrnlirlol to Kiinport lit filiilntirr, ami Third. To iulet tlii tlili ti Hip Norlhwi'Kt iiunrtr IN. V. 1-4 I of Kortlon tin Township ten Itfli, llnnm twnlvn fl'Ji ennt. In the County of Can, Hint of Ni'l'i iimKii. In unlit plnlntllT n aitalnxt you. Vou nm ruulm! to miik" niiKwrr to nahl iii-tltloii nn or lipfori" tlift 14th Ony of Juno, A. I . 1 !'!. Ili'lnnii A. ivnr,. I'lnlntirr. II v l'.ni ipV Ar !!nni"i'y. 1 1 r Attornevn The modern rain coat is now looked upon as an indispensable part of a well equipped ward robe. Our handsome Quality coats are models of style .-.nd comfort. We guarantee every one of them. $20 to $35. For the man who must have a 0 good coat tor a small price we of fer an extra special value in plain black, all wool; also gray and fancy aja mixtures at will We could say these are $20 coats at price, but they are not. We will say however that they are under priced at $10 and a bargain for the man who buys them. Ask for the advertised coat. C. E. Wescott's Sons "Where Quality Counts." HAVE THRILLING EXPERIENCE . Nebraska City Man Suffers For Two Hours Fear of Death E. I). Tlbbets and Earl Dickson, two Nebraska City decorators and painters had an experience ono night last wtek which they will not forget as long as they live. Neither of them want to pass through a similar ex perience. It seems after their days's work at a farm house they had gone to Nehawka to secure some things they needed for their next day's work. They secured the snme and started back to the place where they were stopping and thinking It the nearest way they walked down the railway track. They were some distance from town and started to cross a steel cattle guard on the Missouri Pacific railway and when halt way over E. D. Tlbbltts got one of his feet fast between one of the pieces of steel and In surging around to get the Imprisoned foot loose he got the other foot caught and here he was fast In a cattle guard In the middle of the track and nothing could re lease his friend but all In vain and the harder he worked the firmer seemed the grip of the steel guards and the limbs of the Impris oned man begun to swell and this not only made It more difficult to re lease him, but exceedingly painful. They both worked and talked over the situation and ever now and then they stopped to listen for any train that might be approaching. They had both taken off their coats and laid them down on the track and by them set a can of oil they were carrying and Mr. Dickson was to go up the track end after pouring oil on the two coats was to set them on fire In hopes that the engineer might seo the signal In time to stop and then they coul'd secure tools the trainmen tot release the Impris oned mnn. They had nothing with which to work and both worked with their hands until they were cut and bleeding. It was a horrible position to bo In for It was near time for tho regular train to come down from Lincoln and besides there was To liny Hall. Tho local bnHeball tiam will play their opening game next Saturday afternoon at thu Chicago avenue park. Cedar Creek will be their op ponents and a red hot game. Is as sured. The local teom Iihs been proctlclng ngularly and will make a desperate effort to win the gnme. Cedar Creek tins got a good tenm. one of the best of the country teams and will make a game fight to win. Manager Warn n Is sanguine that the Incnls will be able to down the coun try boys but they will hnvo to go sonic to do it and It need surprise no one to have Cedar Creek walk off with the laurrelK.' The game wl'l repay everyone attending and as u matter of encouragement (o the local tntn, n big crowd should be out. It must not be thought (lint Cedar Creek In a weak team n It is far st mm w mi m 3! no telling when a freight train might put in appearance. Mr. Dickson did not dare leave his friend because of this to go to a farm house which was some distance nwny fearing that a train might come. and Its coming without any warning monnt Instant dentil. They did everything that was poHsible for two men to do In such a trying position, praying and many other things. Tho labored and tugged away for over one and a half hours and finally by loosening the shoes of the Impris oned man one limb was released and then the other one was released by cutting away the clothing and the shoes and In so doing In the dark cut the flesh In several places. The night was pitch dark and despite the fact that both men yelled them selves hoarse they cold not at-tract the attention of anyone. f : , WTien Mr. Tlbblts was Anally re leased they both were so exhausted they lay down on the wet cold ground for some time before they could regain sufficient strength to get up and resume their journey. Mr. Tlbbets was In such bad shape that he had to be assisted to the place where he was stopping and there received medical attention. He secured his shoes the next day. The gentlemen both say that they never want to go through such a thrilling experience again in their lives and they will not forget the two hours of horror they spent, one dreading to see a train dash up and grind his friend to pieces and tho other facing a sure death In case a train did put In appaeraace. The. horror of such a condition can only be realized by one who has been there. It was two long hours and seemed like days to the two gentle men. Strange that It may seem the train was late that night and to Mils Mr. Tlbbltts partly owes his life and to the untiring efforts ot his friend, who worked him free from the death trap, Nebraska City News. from that. In fact, It Is one of the strongest country teams In this sec tion of the state and fully capable of sustaining Itself against metropol itan teams. Do not fall to lend your pn sence and encourage the freat American game to Its fullest extent. licit School Superintendent. Louisville, Neb., May 25. Walter Plybon of t'nlvt rslty Place was elect ed superintendent of the Louisville, schools at a meeting of the board of education held here today. MIsh Agnes Kennedy of Murray was elect ed Instructor In the seventh and eighth grades. Superintendent Ply bon will receive $83 a month. He Is a graduate of the Nebraska Wes leyan university, having graduated with the class of 1 0 8 . During the last ymr he was superintendent of the schools nt IUlvldere.