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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1900)
-r-T M" '&- t -VT.T -,-" V , , j, --v.- - SO THE BQyPAY OREGONIAlf, PORTLAND, APRILS 8, 1900.' - YV V f t ft llfflpt. ji - j-JF 1WK LE o WINDS By s.itc&ocKprr Figures by G.A.smpLEY Synopsis of Previous Chapter. Efr James StansrVeiiJ. of New llUns. In com pany with bis grandaoo. young- Philip, meets In an irmhouse his aon Philip and bis son's para mour. Janet Mark. They quarrel. Sir James roes home, taking bis BrawSflon. That nl-rht b j la murdered by hla dissolute son and Janet Mark. They lay his body ouulde on an Ice floe. In the effort to lay the crime to others. Bat the boy Philip has witnessed the crime. He tells hla grandfather's chief tenant. Umphray Bpurway. who succeeds In rjs-rlng- the real mur derers broucht to justice. Philip Is sentenced to be banred. and his woman accomplice to be transported. Mysteriously he escapee the cal lows, seeks out his wife, finds her In the com pany of Spurway. and tries to murder her. but does not quite succeed. She Is taken away to Abercalrn for cure. leaYlng- her son In charge of Spurway and with Uttle Anna Mark, who teaches him that in some ways girls are worth quite as much as boja. Still, they are excel lent friends, even though she beats him at her studies In the school to which they go. John Stansfleld. Philip's lawyer-uncle, brings In a new teacher. Dominie ningrose, a small man, with wonderful eyes. Shortly after his coming the countrywide Is shocked and thrilled by a i number of bloody ana myetenoui muraers, ej- VjAectly for the sake of robbery. Business calls .TJmptiray Spurway from home. In his absence sV a big packing case, purporting to be lull ol une Spanish wooL la delivered to "Will Bowman. TJmphray's clerk, who puts It in the weaving shed. That night Philip, playing about It. net ahlnlng through the gauze a pair of eyes. He calls 'Will Bowman, who counts three, then stabs the case with a small sword. Bluud flows. They open the case, and find Dominie Rlngrose Inside, apparently dead. Shortly after the house Is attacked by robbers, whom Ring rose had meant to let In. They are beaten off: but afterwards Philip's mother refuses to let htm spend th holidays at New Mllns. Return ing from a day's visit to New MUns, Philip falls In with Saul Mark. Anna's gypsy father, who, under pretense of showing him Sir Harry Morgan's treasure, makes him a prisoner. Anna finds out his plight, and ie&ds Spurway on his track. By the help of hla silent partner. Provost Gregory Parian. Saul Mark, super cargo of the ship Corraroantee. Imprisons both Anna and Spurway. robbing Spurway-ot much money and a portrait of Philip's mother. Philip the elder goes out In Spurway's cloak to hla wife's bouse, and by threats Induces her aboard the Corraroantee. Anna and Philip make friends with Shorn. He showa them the secrets of the island, and where Sir Harry Morgan'a treasure Is, guarded by Fer-de-tanoe 'and his hosts. Eborra has scented a boat. In which he plans to escarp with Anna. Philip, Mrs. St&nsfield and his mother: also Will Bowman, who is in the clutches of the pirate. The pirates sail away with two or three ships. The boat starts, encounters other pirates, but Is towed safely away by a monster devil fish. The boat reaches Puerto Rico In safety, and its Inmates approach a convent seeking help. The convent takes In the women. The men go Into a chain gang. It is making a road for the pleasure of the TOernor wife. Eb chances to pass along, and Will Bowman and Philip discover her to be Janet Mark, little Anna's mother. Janet Mark, now the Lady Juanlta Sllveda, stands friend to her country men, but they won find It Is a perilous faor. Notwithstanding Janet grows violently jealous when little Anna somewhat takes the Gover nor's eye. She Is about 10 kill the girl, when Philip tells her the truth that Anna Is her own daughter. Another boat comes ashore at Puerto Rico. It holds Eaul Mark and Philip 6tansneld. who have been beaten In the en counter with hostile pirates. Saul recognizes his wife. He and Stansfleld persuade the Gov ernor to fit out a ship, promising to return to the Isle and bring back the Morgan's treasure. He -la.ns to make Philip bring It from the burning lake. (Copyright, 1S9S. under the name of "Little Anna Mark." brE.IL Crockett.) (Copyright. 1800. by S. R. Crockett.) CHAPTER XLV. The Sun Dntclmn. And In this matter Saul Mark was as . good as his word. Interrogated In private by the grand Inquisitor, ns to how he came to know the Lady Juanlta Sllveda, he de clared that Scotland was a small country, the shank bone of the larger and richer England. Ills companion and he had heard of the dignified and distinguished family to which the tody Juanlta be longed and of their sorrow at her disap pearance while on a voyage to claim an estate In the Western plantations. But the donna had seemed overcome? Well, so much was to be expected, hear ing for the first time for years news of her family. It was about this time that the rivalry which Bad long existed between the eccle siastical settlement of San Juan de Bro eas and the town and military post of Puerto Rico began to resolve Itself Into mutual courtesies and most punctilious amity. In order to appease the mind of the Commandante, still seething and working after storm, in the matter of the reliquary, a suit of marvelously chased and damascened armor was sent him with the compliments of the Grand Inquisitor and the hope that It might fit the body of the brave and worthy representative of the King of the Spalns In these Islands. It had belonged to a knight whose body, when last seen, had been wrapped about In a well-fitting sheet of flame, provided for the purpose by the Holy Office of Mother Church. But this in his note of benefaction the Grand Inquisitor did not mention. It was not pertinent to the giving and receiving of a present between a dignified church man and a loyal soldier of Holy Church In parllbus. Anon (so ran the accompany ing missive) the Abbot would ride over on hla mule with a train of monks, or the Grand Inquisitor require the pleasure of the company of Commandante Nicholas and his noble lady at his next feet In the grand square. For 'now by great efforts the road was finished so that the Donna Juanlta could the more easily drive thither. After a day or two Eborra brought us word that Saul Mark and Captain Stans fleld with him were allowed their full lib erty In the Monastery of San Juan de Brozas. They occupied one room, ana somo of the negro guards had heard the man with the silver earrings laughing dur ing the night, "like the bird which laughs In the woods, where no man Is" (so they expressed It). And they were afraid,- for It sounded like the devil triumphing. During the day Captain Stansfleld walk ed silently up and down the quadrangle of the Monastery, or read books from the library. He spoke little and ate sparingly. A sentinel with a loaded musket contin ually followed him. Saul Mark, on the other hand, did not appear to be watched at all. He went everywhere about the settlement, and a table was kept for his use near the apartments of the Grand Inquisitor. Here, under the shade of a vine-clad arbor, with papers, lnkhoms and charts .scattered about him. Saul sat drawing many days and often all day long. As for Anna. I saw little of her during these days. But by means of Eborra and his witch-mother we managed to exchange greetings every -morning. She was well. So came the news. She had found my mother busy with her broldertng among the kind sisters, when last the Lady Juan lta had driven over to tne nunnery, ioo donna was kinder to her than ever, but, for fear of Saul Mark, never allowed her out of her sight for a moment during- th day. Even at night she would come to the door of her chamber half a dozen times so that she was compelled to write to us on scraps of paper and "hide them under her pillow when she heard her mother coming. I could well understand Janet Mark's reason for keeping her child In sight while so dangerous a man as Saul Mark was closo at hand, and with allies so powerful as the Abbot and the Grand Inquisitor. But because of these precau tions, I could not very readily communi cate to Anna, which was a grief to me. Meanwhile. Will and I labored in our moist-hot weaving shed, having matters pretty much our own way. o that we turned out enough cloth for the soldiers and also for the galleon, which was to stop here on Its way to Port of Spain, bringing wool and taking webs of cloth, as well as forming- the main channel of communication between our Command ante and his superiors. But we) soon became aware that great preparations were being made for soma distant expedition. The San Esteban. tho single ship of any size In the port, was being scraped and cleaned down with out and within. Will and I used to slip down at nights when the moon was at full to see her masts stand up tall and sharp against the sky. All was still and beautiful, the moon hardly shining so much as glowing with a whitish green Illumination up In the black sky. The fireflies glinted blue among the branches of the orange trees, and tho glow-worms Jetted fire at our feet. We watched the darting lamps alighting near their mates, the tiny fires first brightening, then dull ing, last of all being obscured as the in sects consummated their love affairs, all of which Interested us much. On board the San Esteban we could hoar a sound of hammering, and some times figures moved up the stays and about the rigging, all black as ebony, save for a silver edging to each span mast, cord and moving shadow. But Lord, how the mosquitoes bit down by the fat mud banks of the snore great speckled fellows they were, and wltlJ the appetites of unfed tigers for good -fresh Scottish blood. On these nights It was hot. with a kind of lukewarm heat, and Will'and I would gladly have cast off our light clothes and plunged Into the heaving waters. We refrained, however, owing to the presence- of certain curious ob jects out In the bay. These were most like black bottles set aslope upon the sea, save that they passed and repassed swiftly and noiselessly across, the shin ing wake of the moon, cllstenlng like wet leather as they vanished Into the shadoV. They were the back fins of a school of sharks, and. as may well be believed, the sight put bathing out of our heads. It was upon our return from one of these rambles that we found Saul Mark waiting for us. He greeted us cordially enough, but with more than usual of the sneering manner which made me hate him so. He was seated very much at his ease In the Uttle chamber at the end of the weaving shed, where for ordinary we swung our hammocks and kept what privacy was posslblo for us. It was a pleasant ppce save for the mosquitoes, and these we made shift to rid ourselves of by raising a great smoko or "smudge," as we called It, outside. Just beyond the -veranda. This we started on one side or the other, according as the w'nd blew. It was, therefore, through a fine cloud ot this smoke that we discovered our un welcome visitor, his black beady eyes sparkling nnd his large sliver earrings glinting In the smoky firelight which came In through the open door, bringing with It the rolling smoke. This last kept us all three coughing, and rendered more bi zarre our Interview with Anna's father. "Your health, gentlemen." he said, with out moving, as we came in. He had found and opened a large square case-bottle of Hollands, the gift of the Lady Juanlta. He lifted a tankard and quaffed to us courteously, leaning back the while In our only chair, and crossing one Uz over the other very much at his ease, at which Will Bowman only grunted, but I saluted the man courteously enough, both because he was Anna's father and because (save In a matter of conscience) I have always tried to steer the course which most avoids the perils of our life's pilgrimage by land and sea, not always, I admit, with entire success, but always with the best Intent, "You hare been out to visit the sen oritas ah. youth, youth!" he cried, hold ing up his hands. "Well. I am the last man to blame you. I drink. Instead, to your fair ladles' eyes." "We have been down by the shore edgv to admire the moonlight upon the water," so I answered htm. gravely. "Ah." he cried, with a note of 'added eusto in his voice, "so It was In my time. I also went to admire the moon light upon tne wntcr!" "Nevertheless, the thing Is true, sir," said I. with a respectful assurance which I thought fitted to convince the most un believing. "Ah, what have you in that pocket?" be said, pointing to the place In my blue working blouse where I carried Anna's letters In a flapped Inside pouch, secured with a button and tag. " Al this I was astonished, and. I fear, showed somethlnir of It. Saul Mark nodded gently. "Good lads good lads." he said, "why should you be shamed? We are all a family party here husbands and wives, sons and daughters a little mixed per haps at present, but full of the possi bilities of domestic bliss when once we settle down a little." - And his expression was that of a de mon driver who cracks his whip ot fire over a new and unstalled team. Will and I had no words to answer him, and, after gloating over; our silence for a moment, he went on: "But now I need you, youne sirs." he said: "you and I have work, before us. I remember well your many excur- J sions In the High Woods when we were all In a manner of speaking so happy to gether on the Isle of the Winds before the coming of Captain Key's cruel pirates. You know the place of our adventure. I will -reveal to you s secret. Under the blessing of the Almighty, we are fitting out an expedition to retake the Island and find Morgan's treasure. It Is not the first time Master Philip here has gone treasure seeking. God give him better luck on this occasion! four dusky friend comes with us as sutde. I think you know what he will guide us to. Therefore, make ready. Leave tho weaving for a week or two. The weavers will have a holiday, and the webs will not rot. The commandante also will leave a guard to keep all safe. So be ready to go on board the San Este ban at any time upon a summons." There was nothing for us but to obey; and I nodded my promise of obedience; while Will sulkily combed the back of his hand with a teasle. "We will not fall you!" I answered. "No. I shall see to It that you do not!" he answered, smiling. And that was the one word of threat ening he used. CHAPTER XLVL Saul Mark Explains. In addition to warning; Will and my self, that very honest man. Saul Mark. made himself clear to all concerned on & certain hot evening a fortnight later. It was in the wide, half-underground apartment set aside for Captain Stans fleld and his companion In the monastery of St. John of Brozas. The Donna Juanlta Sllveda had Just arrived to visit her com patriots. As was her wont on such oc casions, she had left Anna without In the arbor, where were Saul Mark's papers and charts. The girl lifted one at ran dom, and, to her surprise, found it a map of the Isle of the Winds, with the fathoming of all the anchorages and gird ing reefs carefully marked. The position of the village was exactly Indicated, but the work had evidently been Interrupted, for the interior was a blank, with only a few vague pencil markings upon It. "Why have you brought me here again?" Anna heard her mother say. ia she entered. The reply was Inaudible. Then in a few moments the woman's voice grew louder. "I will' not" she cried, shrilly. "I tell you I will not I would die sooner!" Whereat the girl moved nearer to the door, thinking It no shame to listen when aU our lives depended upon her vigilance. She had not to go outside, for even where she was, hidden among the crimson blos soms of -the arbor, the voices came clear ly enourh to her ear. Then Anna distinguished the voice of Saul Mark, not raised like that of a com mander, but only made more emphatic, as If what he said admitted of no argument. "It is not a Question of vour wllL mv Lady Juanlta. but of your necessity," ho said; "not of may; but. of must. I speak, remember, to a man. and a woman wno are both at this moment not only sinners, but convict murderers." "And who planted the thought In our hearts? Who hounded us to that which was done?" It was her mother's voice, raised almost to a shriek, that Anna heard as she stood trembling among- the heavy crimson-petaled creepers. "Hush, Janet, it Is useless," Joined in the deep, quiet voice of Captain Stans fleld. This man. Is our taskmaster. Let him say the thing he will." Saul Mark laughed a tittle scornfully. "How wise Is Sir Philip," he said. "How clearly he grasps tho situation! It Is a pity tn!s prescience had not come somewhat earlier. It. would have pre vented many things the blue room at New Mllns for one thing, the limekiln of Provo- Gregory Partan for another, a hundred .all ships scuttled and burned upon the high seas, plunglngs from slippery plank ends, poor Jim Pembury and the lads of the Corramantee, some thousand boys, dropping one by one In plantation cane brakes these and much more. And now Sir Philip chooses to be nice about a puling woman and a pair of youths as little distinguished from the others as the acorns of one tree!" "Eaul," said Janet Mark, as if trying to touch him, "one of them is his son and loves our daughter!" If she spoke the word with the Intent of excitliur pity It was Ill-judged. He' only shook his silver earrings and laughed a short, crackling laugh. "Ah. love Janet lover It Is a great word. And who knows Its meaning- If not rou? You loved me. You told me so. jrou remember, once on a day. Sir Philip there once loved his father. He loved his wife, and swore It at the altar. His brother John loved him. Then by a twist of the sandglass all is changed. You, my lady, loved Philip. You hated me. Philip hated his father, his wife, his child. Only I, poor Saul, do not change. I love you as much now as ever. And I will help you aU to obtain that which your heart desires." "Villain!" cried Janet, "You. not he. killed Philip Stansfleld'sfather. You egged him to speak the words which condemned him In the blue room of New Mllns it was your hand struck the blow!" Looking past the lintel of the arbor door, Anna could see Captain Stansfleld lift his arm and lay his palm upon the woman's wrist, restrainlngly. He would have spo ken, but Saul went on. "Hear me out at least for old sake'i sake. We were speaking of love, were we not? I give the sandglass another turn (ho had been fingering one which stood on the table), and what do I see? . Still this love. Philip loves his wife. You, my dear wife, love Don Nicholas and your red-and-gold coach. My daughter loves Philip Stansfleld the second.. Again I am the only faithful one. I alone love you all, and make my dispositions without consid ering the turning of hour-glasses and the chameleon called Love Eternal!" Then Philip Stansfleld spoke: "Say that which you have to say. Saul Mark. What do you wish us to do? By the sin I have .sinned, by the blood I have shed (there Is enough on my hands, wheth er that of a father or no), I am bound to this man as men bind their souls to the devlL" Saul Mark bowed a smiling acknowledg ment of the comparison. "You do me too great honor. Sir PhUlp we made a bargain, you and L For so much you gave so much. Did not you re ceive that which you bargained for? Am I a devil then because my side of the bar gain holder' "Say plainly that which you desire, Saul Mark," cried. Captain Stansfleld. wearily. "I am In no mood to bandy words. As to your main contention, God knows I deny you not." " 'My desire." say you," answered Saul with a curl of his lip, "well, to be" plain, I am tired of all this. I will no longer be o. pirate, privateer, conquistador. I would go home to that which Is mine. I would settle down at New Mllns. live de cently and cleanly, huzza for the King on Coronation day, hobnob with the par son on Sundays, squeeze Umphray Spur way and In a word. Sir Philip, do all the things which the little matter of the blue room and several others prevent you from going home to do." "There are obstacles." said Captain Stansfleld, quietly, "the law my brother John, who will yield nothing- easily my son" "Stop." said Saul; "we will only consider the lost. If j ou please. As for the lawyer, Jock (the name Is your own), I hold him In the hollow of my hand, even as I hold his elder brother. His practice and char acter In Edinburgh are such that he dares not quarrel with me. But 'your son." eay you? Now I will not Insult a man of sense by supposing that as a father you can have any affection for such a son. You were no stickler. Philip, when your own father, who gave you all, stood In your path. This boy Is altogether too puny a gnat to strain on now. He Is in my way, I tell you. He threatens to be more In my way. He has a faculty, common to cats and other sleek animals, of landing en his feet. And when I am settled at New Mllns r.nd Lieutenant of the Shire. 1 want no lon-lost "heirs coming knocking upon my front door. We must put that beyond doubt. Plainly, Philip Stansfleld the elder, you cannot go back to claim your heritage. Philip the younger shall not!" "What would you murder the Innocent lad?" cried Janet Mark., "Murder, murder!" cried Saul scorn fully, "we three are far beyond calling any necessary rearrangement of dead and living by that name. The thing Is at best but a convention. There are many "ways by wh'Ich killing Is no murder the holy Inquisition, for one. There is to be an auto-da-fe In a fortnight. If you. Sir Philip, have any suggestions on heresy for the reverend fathers of St. John, they will. I doubt not, be pleased to consider them. There Is much done in these Isl ands which Is Impossible, even In the capi tal of the his most Christian and Catholic majesty of Spain. But I know of some thing better for him and for all of us. The lad Is brave enough and shall die a brave man's death. You have heard of Morgan's treasure? Well, I have found It! I have promised It to the convent and Don Nicholas as the jirlce of my liberty. The good fathers are even now fitting out an expedition to recapture the Is'e of the Winds, to recover the treasure, and bring the whole back.whlther!" "But Morgan's treasure cannot be reached alive." said Sir Philip. "How will you perform your romlse?" "I shall not perform It. I Intend that Masters PhUlp Stansfleld "the younger and Will Bowman shall reach It. They shall descend to the pitch lake! Whether they be permitted to return Is another matter!" "You shall not you shall not!" cried Janet fiercely. "Of this your wickedness CRUSHED r--g ' 1 Tramp Would you be kind enough, good 1 ady. to give me asms old pair ot trousers dis carded by your husband, the doctor? . , Mrs. Dr. Newwoman I am sorry to say I can't I am the doctor! Mesrendorfer BJaetter. my husband Don Nicholas shall be In formed!" "Silence." cried Saul Mark. " "your hus band," says you I am your husband. 1 and none otheV. You shall do as I bid you, Janet, or I will go to Don Nicholas and tell him the Lady Juanlta Js e. sen tenced murderess, the paramour of a parricide, the gamester's lure, the lime on the fowler's twig!" "Saul Saul," the woman cried, "have pltyl Have some pity. Who made me these? Was I not Innocent before I knew you?" "Innocent Innocent," sneered Saul Mark, "how Innocent we all are! Go tell Don Nicholas of your Innocence after I have done with him! Where were your carriages then, your snowy mules, your petticoat governments all gone up In the fiery reek of the next heretic burning." Janet Mark was silent. She knew her new husband's Spanish nature and was afraid. "And Anna?" she said weakly, as If she had abandoned her former'contentlon. "Anna "shall bide here with you she need know nothing. By and by we shall marry her to a don. And that poor sage bird, your lawful spouse, by good Philip, will make an excellent nun. Wo win keep her safe out of the Yorkshire man's reach. I am an easy man, but sho could do little harm even If she were free and had a swallow's wings." He looked first at one and then at the other. They were both silent before him, "Now, you see," he said, rising from his seat, "how moderate I am. The lad and tils friend are all I demand, who might have asked It. It Is, Indeed, how runs your Scripture (you were piously brought up, Philip), a work of necessity and mercy to remove two such youths from an evil world. And the boy Is a. great seeker of treasure. Well, he sholl-flnd it now!" When Saul Mark came out and looked about him. Anna, his daughter, was lean ing over the brimming basin of the cen tral fountain, laughing and trying to catch goldfish with an angle. CHAPTER XLVIL The Jfevr Povrder Monkey, It may be understood that Anna's news, which she carried that very night to Will and me In the weaving shed, touched us very nearly. For me I did not feel near ly so much terror as. In such melancholy circumstances. I might have anticipated. And as for Will. I think he did not be lieve In the reality of the danger. He had that kind of English conceit that makes a man consider himself the mas ter, not the slave, of circumstances. "Courage. Philip." he said. "You and I are far from being dead yet. We are forewarned which is to saw forearmed. If they take us back to the Isle of the Winds, "as they must If this be so why. we shall escape and maintain ourselves in the High Woods till we get a passage home. Then Umphray Spurway will sure ly chartor a ship and with our fighting weavers as well as the crew, faith. It will go hard with us if we do not drive those Spaniards Into te sea." But somehow this seemed too remoto a consummation to afford us any real comfort. But-It was Will's way and I did not contradict him. Then we sent for Eborra privately, to .eeK his counsel, who when he heard that Saul Mark knew (or said he knew), of the hiding place of Morgan's treasure, was very grave and silent for n while. "I will go and consult my mother." he said, an,d so left u quickly. It wai well nlgh an hour before he returned, looking much downca-it and disconcerted. "It Is true." he said; "he knows. Some strong Obeah has spoken to him. But not so strong as my mother's. We shall con quer yet. but It will be hard. And we must wait. If you ro to seek the treasure. Eborra will pro alto!" "Perhaps hey will not permit you." I said. "Yes. yes. they will allow." -ld Ebor ra. "I alone ran keep the black men aulct. I alone know the wood. Perhao-i Saul may kill me after, but first he will let me -to." I need not recount the anxious day, the hot and steeples nights we spent. Will and I. while tho San Eiteban was being fitted up and the expedition for the Isle of the Winds prepared. We soon found that Don Nicholas also had been drawn Into the venture. It had been sug gested to him that the annexation of a new Island to his master's dominions, and the destruction of a nest of pirates and buccaneers which had long been give n to capturing Spanish treasure-ships, would bring him vast credit In old Spain. And, besides, was there not great treasure to be gained, not only from the hoards of Sir .Henry Morgan, which Saul Mark had promised to disclose, but also from those more Immediate and accessible ones amassed by Captain Key and his men. .For long we could not understand whnt It was the expedition was kept watting fcr. Everything seemed ready. The arms and powder were on board. All the bacon and dried food were on board. Cattle were In readiness to be slaughtered upon the eve of embarkation. Yet still we waited. It was Anna, as usual, who brought us the word that we were delaying In order to allow tho new levies to be landed out of the great galleon now on her way from Carthaj-ena to Port of Spa'.n. Ono morning, however, as we looked out of the weaving shed, we could see her roasts and precipitous sides looming sol emnly up the hay. like some huge sea monster, and the same evening the sol diers were ashore, a goodly band of stout fellows enough, with the country bloom yet red on their cheeks. For they came mostly from the northern provinces, which have from the first reared the best fight ing stock of Spain. I know not what suspicion had suddenly taken possession of our captors, but on the same day that the ship for Port of Spain landed her first boatload of soldiers, a detail of men came to the weaving shed and put us both !n Irons again, or. rather tethered us up like dogs at a kennel's mouth. For they fastened the same Iron belts as at first about our waists; and to the ring- they welded a awiveled chain behind by means of Pompey Smith and h's traveling forge. But. Instead of sending us HIS HOPES. to the gang, they bored a hole in the stout wood of the shed about the middle of the northern side, then thrust the chain through and made It fast to. a great stake of wood driven Into the ground on the outsMe. It was (In other circumstances) a most laughable predicament that we were m. For we were thus able to do our work, and even to meet and converse privately, having freedom of motion to the extent of our chains, though unable to reach the fastenings by which we were tethered. The negro and half-breed women and lads who formed our working party laughed broadly at first, but since we had already been kind to them they grew sorry In their hearts to see us treated thus. Besides, we told them that If they did hot obey us when we spoke, they would surely have black men set over them overseers who would whip them as they whipped the chain gang. For such people of color as are placed In authority over their own kind are much more severe than any white taskmasters. It Is curious to hear them cracking their whips and crying: "Youd n nigger," "You black son of perdition," when In point of color there is not a shade to choose between slave and taskmaster. In the evening arrived Saul Mark-with great profession of sympathy to assure us that this was wholly the commandante's doing, but that it would not be for long. All was being done that could be done, and the good will of the abbot and the Grand Inquisitor were being used on our behalf. "But what can such young sparks ex pect?" he said, with a cunning leer. "I am advised that your favor has been al together too high with the Lady Juanlta. Ah. sly dogs sly dogs I" But we held our peace, save to say that we had done nothing to deserve chains, and that we hoped that they would soon bo removed. As of course we could not sleep In our hammocks In the Inner room, some of the kinder of our workfolk brought us woven mats of plam fiber on which we slept not so 111, having pulled our waist rings round, as they showed us. till the chain and Its attachments was In front. So we made shift to get some sleep, lying whol ly on our backs, which, on any hard bed is the only position of comfort. In this dolorous manner we lived at the weaving-house of Puerto Rico till tho sailing of the Port of Spain galleon, that Is the better part of a week. The new soldiers, not yet accustomed to the rou tine ot small colonies, came and Jeered at us to pass the time. After a year or two In these climates they would be con tent enough to do nothing when they came off duty. At last.. the day of the embarkation ar rived. The San Esteban was loaded deep with stores and men. Not much provision was taken, for with a favorable wind, the distance was no great matter. Yet there was ever a thought In my heart. I wondered how with this one ship, loaded down with soldiers as she was. Saul and his Spaniards could .hope to force the per ilous passage of the reefs to the anchor age of the Isle of the Winds. But I might have been advised that Saul Mark would certainly have a plan clear In his head before setting out. Not till we were being taken on aboard were our chains taken off. As soon aa I got out of the weaving shed, I looked every way for Anna, but saw no sign of her. I felt somewhat sorehearted thus to part, without a word of farewell from her. But aa best we could behind the bulwarks on tho main deck. The anchor came up with a rattlo and a cheer, tho sails filled, and we were off. I sat watching the long bat tlements of the Castle of Puerto Rico, but saw no sign of my sweetheart. Not a kerchief waved along the whole dull front of masonry, which made my heart yet sicker and sadder than ever before. But r had not time to think heavy thoughts long. For the drums beat to quarters and Don Nicholas and Saul Mark, with the Grand Inquisitor standing near them, appointed all of us our stations In case of any attack. The guns were stripped, run out. and cleaned. Then came a bout of practice at the Isolated sea rocks as we sailed past them. There was a cry for the powder monkeys. The hatches were lifted and the first on deck with a bucket on her head -little Anna. Mark, looking more like a winsome boy than ever In her high-kilted Indian dress, the leathern fringes blowing back ut the light winds, and a flush of defiance- on her lips as she gravely turned to salute her father and Don Nicholas. CHAPTER- XLVHI. Tor Her Sake." As usual, Anna Mark (little no longer) had her own willful way. Indeed, by appearing so late sBe hati practically In sured that. For the ship was too far on her course and the wind too favorable to return for such a cause. Furthermore, she alone could bring a smile, swift and grim. Indeed, but still a smile, to the close-set lips of Saul Mark. She alone touched something that was yet human about him. "We must clip your wings, my lady." he said, nodding his head at her, with appreciation. "We must no"t let you spoil this cruise as you spoilt some others. And If you are to be a powder monkey I shall ee that you do your work on board." Anna pulled a forelock and scraped a foot with all the gravity of the most ancient follower ot the sea. "You'll find me do my duty, sar," she said, hitching at her waist belt with a certain Impish daring- that went well with her erect carriage and boyish cos tume. Captain Stansfleld stood apart, as usual, taking no part In the arrangements for the short voyage of the San Esteban, but mostly watching Anna as she moved here and there, with what dark thoughts who can guess revolving- behind his sunk en and desperate eyes. The Spanish ship was strongly manned. or rather, considering all the soldiers on board, overmanned. It was but a short ex pedition, and. with the wind favoring us as It. did. we might have made the Is land any time during the second day. But Saul Mark evidently did not relish an attempt to force the passage of the reefs In the teeth of a hostile force, com posed of such fierce outlaws as now held the Island. So all day the San Esteban hung about on this tack and on that maneuvering for the best position from which to run In upon the south ot the Island and attack the settlement from the back. During this period, Saul delivered his directions to the crew through their of ficers, and proved himself so excellent a seaman that these, for a time, at least, laid aside their natural Jealousy ot a foreigner and aided him with a will to make his dispositions. But what puzzled me most ot all and turned my thoughts away from the ship was a tall column of smoke, or rather cream-colored steam, very light and graceful, which arose high Into the air from the place where the Island showed plainly, lying pale blue and as If It were water-logged In the warm water of the Carlo Sea. Will and I talked this appearance over. It did not seem like the smoke of a great conflagration, or I should have supposed that the pirates were burning the vil lage. It was lighter, daintier, more ethe real. Sometimes It came In curious spurts and puffs, as If the Isle of the Winds were smoking a peaceful pipe before re tiring to rest. Anon. It was only a soft, gradual exhalation, like steam wreathing up from a caldron of boiling water. By and by Eborra came to us. but not even his mother's magic enabled him to put a name on the cause of the mysterious ap pearance. "Maybe the High Woods are on Are." he said, "yet It is the wrong season ot the year for that; or maybe pirates burn their prizes. Tomorrow we see!" This was all the assistance Eborra. could give us. It seems strange to me now that, know ins; what we did of the Intent of Saul Mark, we should yet be able to regard our return to the Isle of the Winds without any great apprehension. Yet so It was. Perhaps It was necause we had been In so many terrible places, and In spite ot all had won our way out. Or more Ukely because In a wild tropic place like the pirate Isle we thought that there were many more chances of escape than In one rottled and cultivated like Puerto Rico. We knew that If once we had five min utes' start, with Eborra to help us. we might remain hidden forever In the dense woods. And I for one had visions of an Ideal existence In Eborra's tiny bay, with Anna and Will and the half-breed. I had already planned how- we were to carry off my mother from the nunnery, and I think, also, the abbot to marry us. If necessary with a pistol at his head. So that when Will spoke of what we should do If we were compelled to de scend Into the loathsome crater In which Morgan's treasure was forever broken oa a wheel tot pitch. I answered him Indeed, but somehow not as though I believed that It would ever come to the pinch with us. Toward evening, as the ran sank to the sea. the creamy smoke-cloud over the highest part of the Isle of the Winds grew rosy, and we could see that It extended a very long way upward. Anally becom ing combed out toward the top and blow ing seaward over the high woods In a long dragoon's plume of trailing- lilac mist. As the twilight deepened and the wind freshened, the San Esteban drew inward toward the side of the Island farthest from the pirates' village. Here Saul Mark knew of an anhorage. safe from every wind exept a furious tempest from the Gulf, and of that at this time of year there was little probability. We looked Into the loom of the lofty and savage cliffs as we drew nearer with mingled awe and admiration which were rendered greater by the strange pulsing glow, now red as blood, now yellow as wheat straw, that beat Irregu larly behind them. The appearance was as if some vast conflagration had been dying out beyond the hills, and the beat ing light was accompanied at Intervals by a low,' roaring sound like heavy surf on a windless night. Anon a recurring rumble would shake In our ears, causing a throbbing whirl of the brain, like that which accompanies fever. At this the glow reddened momentarily, and then died down, till again through the still ness only that long, continuous surf would boom on unseen beaches. We soon found that Saul Mark did not mean to take any risks of our escaping. Even when, the boats were being got out. and while, the first soldiers were embarking, our Irons were reaffixed and our wrists put In heavy fetters. Anna went to her father and besought him to trust us not to escape, but he only shook his head, "I cannot afford that." he said, speaking- without heat. "These young men are over-clever to take any chances with." Then Will and I resolved that If the irons were kept on us we would not march at all through the woods. They might carry us If they chose, that was alL Presently Eborra came and crouched with us behind the bulwarks. We spoke In low tones of the hiding place of Morgan's treasure and Its dead ly guardians. Ebcrra tried hard to teach us the low. hissing whisper which, as we had seen, charmed, the snakes. We made various attempts at It, but without enough success to give us any real con fidence. I Judged that most likely the charm lay In the person using It more than In the actual sound. Nevertheless we did our best. and. as Eborra said, succeeded not HI. Thus we four Will, Eborra. Anna and I were waiting our turn to disembark and listening to the dipping of the oars, when suddenly a shadow fell between us and a bank of stars on the side ot the ship farthest from the Isle of the Winds. I saw even In the darkness of the night and the unlllumlnated. ship's deck that It was Captain Stansfleld who stood there. He waited silently, leaning on the bul warks and watching- the phosphorescence of the sea deep's wave like a banner under our keel. But as soon as the deck was quiet about us, and all possible listen ers removed, he spoke to us In low, firm tones. s. "Go forward do not fear." he said. "No harm shall come to any of you oa this Island. I promise it." Then he -was silent a moment, as If waiting- to take advantage of & favosa able moment In another's feeling. "PhUlp." he said. "I speak to you. Yob are my son. It Is true. I have been no worthy father. Yet now. before I go into the presence of the Judge. I would shake your hand. Mine Is stained deep ly enough, Ood knows, but. though guilty, the blood of a father, for which men hold me' in- loathing, is not upon it. Take my hand and teU me that you forgive!" "I forgive you freely for aU the 111 yott have done me." I answered; "the evil you have brought on my mother I cannot forgive." He sighed a little, and then said. "PhUrp. you ought to have been named James. You are your grandfather's son, not mine. But yet tell your mother that If she had loved me at first It might have been otherwise. Yet at the last my heart dwelt upon her. Yes, In the blackness of despair and death I loved her. At least, tell her that the thing which I shall do I do for her sake!" I reached out my hand to Captain Stans fleld. I always thought of him as that not as my father. His grasp came to me through the darkness. He held my hand In his for a long moment, and then moved silently away. I could see him, by the light of the red. reflected glow above the trees, stand by the foremast watching the men going over tho side into the boats. We made our way slowly through the forest. Saul Mark leading with chart and compass. The lantern carried beside "hha The rest of us came stumbling after aa Yiat ur on-ili". T7niii" Tnn nuiilA tft a i i.. n.i Ynnlf 1, .. n l..., ,fl litter. Will and I were each chained to a veteran of the island wars. It was Indeed well that we had landed lax- qqwd luo uneti giuo ui uio isle, for the large company, most ot them -Uliq UUIHVUi(VUlVU W H1W tUQU IT UVUO, made a nolao which might hare -waked T?i, 1 1 ii nil 1m in mIa--I fn Anw IVIs tnthtM ftA -urn pntfvr -! what nrmpnrpt j-l very cave of darkness. Men stumbled aneau ol us, iuiuus uvcr jru-Juru.o iimi8 with tho rattle of accoutrements, and re A-fa4fio S A-m csAltrst r-rltri itHnfi AitK Tall trees moaned overhead. Liana creaked like cordago between us and the Mn Iaawiui Tnwo"rilsi ihlnrra tH - s themselves from strand to swlnglngstrand. and htes of disturbed .snakes, and as often a Kmi-rVt , ri t nh ml wif farA T rm1ll have cried out. for I felt In every thorn prickle tne oreaarui lasaiag siroito ol ina And ever In front of us pulsed, clearer ana Droaaer, mat su-anse rauoy ugui, against which the leadra of our advance t-ru-w nut Vi1ai1r 5nmftt!rr'A rliirlntr a hftlt 1 I could see Saul Mark, his chart epread Via as, j. a us n."-. ,fc,. . bow, the lantern In hte hand, and the iron nooK pointing out romeuuns; ou mo map. T-..- In a mAfisrft fJ-fn tV-nif In rVh ftIlVl khaI nevitn "it'tc-tl T Wll! Tint nMf the whispered order, but each of our guards simultaneously gave a lug at ice knln i-rr -rirnIrT tnoV nfMfl IM 111 lPHATL. kA nnjw. na XTIll rttfl not iTlttVfl fftfit enough, the brute prompuy set ine poms is-nti- in Vi( TKanV otiA rrlfrtA Ti!ttt Ui, Cts VUU "- -- " ...,! ik i t w.nM -ma Will turn wTHt'A. v-rrftVi annO Tn O. TTWTYinr TLr "DBOUld nUiO -Tft -LUQ-. . - - -- have been at tne ieuows luroai, out . caugnt nun dj me arm. Walt." T nld. "if we oar at alL let is tiev a.- s-inrit.-a At on tt lament- The fellow with the kniie nounsnea it Ann. VI.. I,mi anri frtl- Tllir- f-fAvtltrV OmuId have pricked WU1 with it again, but at that moment tne rea glow Baoue om uw sheet-lightning and against It I saw mo w.&n.nr4iv nfnnthfnp flitrt- black and straight as an arrow. The next moment Wills guard uttered a terrioie scream ana. ifmnnlni. l'n fllTnQ fof nrCAled hlS DOlmS to his face with shriek after shriek of pain and terror. Saul Mark looked back quickly. now mini!" h commanded. H8 will bring every pirate In the Isle upon usr- carried the lantern. I saw him stoop to tne man on tne grounu aim iuiu mo u with his iron hook. Will and I were stand ing quite clcoe. Will Indeed ertlll chained to the soldier. By the light of Eborra'a lantern we coum see two uny puncmrra behind the ear where the great vein of the neck Is. T-via mtn ft i"rti said Eborra, stand lng up, "Fer-de-lanco has stricken him." And so It proved, for, while flourishing the knife over his head to threaten W1U he must have touched tho branch oa which the snake lay. Then a great fear fell on all the com pany. It began to be whispered what th man waa doing when the serpent struck him. "Why do you not sing. Eborra,"" I whis pered to the half caste, "he may strike, again." hw VamM In o rfmllnr tn-A "this IS no living snake. Philip. Fer-de-lance does not strike at night, 'mis as a jomoi uwi enters the body of a snake to strike down his enemy. Po not be afraid my mother k working great Obeah for you now. The Jombls are all about us. They will protect your And Indeed lt Is true that we did feel all about us the sense of Invisible pres ences. Yet the sensation was not a pleas urable one. but rather as If somo ons unseen were about to put his hand oa your shoulder In the dark. At this moment Saul Mark ordered Will to be chained to another armed guard. They cast tne oeaa man loose, vne iucij uti. , mtnnA innktncr. strmse1v contorV ed and of a visage that blackened under our very eyes.) "Forward!" commanded Saul, "lead on. Yellow Jack, If you know the way. There Is not a moment to waste. It will soom be morning." Then Eborra summoned to the front all the blacks and Indian laborers and serfs to bring their machetes and cut a way through tho tangle. He himself held aloft the lantern and directed them. It was a strange sight, the red. throbbins glow going and coming like a furnace that dies out and Is continually refreshed. Th dense blackness of the canopy of leaves overhead enveloped us. The waste ot hanging vegetable cordage seemed trylns ., ,.(. ,.o n.nMi nm ll.illnps Ilka huge hawsers and cables, others agiln thin as trout lines. As the light of the lan tern flashed across these other pianist were seen clinging to them as the mistle toe does to an apple tree In the orchard at New Mllns rosettes of gorgeous bloom, flaring red and white and orange even In that somber light, some tied like favor on the lianas, others drooping unexpect edly from above like a spider letting him self down out of the midst of his web. In this place the machetes made fierce play. Hack and slash and cut they went. Green fruits, strange and leathern ap ples, horny plums like muiket balls. In sects like walkinf- twigs, vat -spiders with less that burnt as they touched the bare skin, hairy caterplllara as big as bean pods, rained down upon our heads. But still Eborra hastened the work, and we made our way toward the source of tho llRht We rose gradually ai we proceeded, pass ing tho great -rwamp by a firmer path than that which wo had formerly crossed from the direction of the- pirate- villnse. A soft, steamy m'-flt. imprerrnated with a sulphurous smell, swelled nnd billowed about us. Suddenly out of tho derw shndows and creeping vapors of the hlt-h woods we emerged upon a wonderful "scene. Before us rose a great, black hill In nhape most like the Lair of North Berwick een from the shoulder of Moorfoot: but It wai not the hollow tower we had seen. The den" undergrowth, the matted carpet of moss nnd wild hemp., the quakinr- hill all had vanished. There waa a hot nnd deadly ,!.., I. ,1... .'. .,!.n 1rort ., ficnfnf- Our mouth"- became dry as the dead bone of the devrt with the thin indv frrlt that showered upon us and seemed to per vad everythlnir. crunching between out" teeth as we walked. (To Be Continued.) "Two Jewels time and -rood advice." Two boon comnnlons. Hood's Sarsapa rilla and pure blood, -i-BU -Sfcl-, r-J&iib.s if.. .v-