Army and Navy Weekly — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ARMY AND NAVY to avoid the blow, a pair of little arms were thrown about the would-be assassin’s body!”? —_— —- -——__——_ CHAPTER. It. ‘“T WANT TO SEE THE BRAVE AMERICAN BOY WHO SAVED MY LIFE.”’’ The excitement that ensued was in- tense. There was a rush for the spot by visitors, officers and crew. A chorus of screains from the feminine visitors, a quick word of command, and an excited jumble of English and Portuguese. The crowd suddenly swayed, and a man in civilian clothing—a suit with a loud check pattern—was seen to savage- ly force his waysto the ladder leading to the after deck. A score of bands clutched at him, but he eluded them and gained the top. As he paused for a second, bare-headed, dis- heveled, breathing heavily, a cry came from the frantic mob below. ‘It’s the Englishman!’ ‘Yes, the Englishman !’’ he flung back fiercely. ‘‘I defy you slaves of a royal master. I have tried to strike a blow for your liberty, hounds, a blow for the world’s liberty and have failed. J—-—”’ A bullet whistled past his head but he never flinched. As the crowd below surged up the ladder eager to tear him limb from limb, he retreated slowly and with magnificent courage to the railing. As the foremost of his pursuers reached the deck, he sent a curse at them, then turned and sprang over the side into the swiftly flowing waters of the Tagus. ‘After him! Quick! Five thousand milreis to the man who captures him alive!”? These words in broken English came from one of the royal suite. A rush. was made for the side, and eager glances were cast down toward the river. A dozen excited sailors and cadets recklessly leaped into the water and began a search, but nothing was seen of the desperate fugitive. The Tagus in the immediate vicinity of the practice ship was thronged with vessels of all classes, attracted to the spot by the royal visit, and it was ob- served at once that the assassin’s chances for escape, if he was an expert swimmer, were good. ? 1063 There was commotion on board the neighboring craft, and many false alarnis, but no certain sign of the Englishman’s presence. When the excited crowd on the Monon- gahela turned inboard again, they found a group of officers and cadets surround- ing Clif, who was calmly standing in the centre while the surgeon fastened a tem- porary bandage round a bleeding cut in his right art. ~ The king had been hurried to the cabin by his suite and Captain Brooks. A moment later he emerged and joined the group surrounding Clif. ‘‘T want to see the brave American boy who saved my life,’’ he insisted. ‘‘It was he who foiled that assassin and he shall have my heartfelt thanks.’ | ‘‘But, your majesty,’’ implored one of his military staff, in Portuguese, ‘‘there may be other wretches on board. ‘They imay make another attempt on you.”? ‘“Then keep every one at a distance,”? was the retort. «‘‘Act rather than talk. It is strange you and your comrades did not prevent that man from making his at- tempt. What has been done to capture hima?! ‘“'Word was sent ashote at once, sire. A launch is even now on the way with instructions to the chief of police and the general in charge of the district. The assassin will be in prison before dark,” ‘‘See that he is,’’? exclaimed the king, imperiously. Turning to Clif he extended both his hands and added in excellent English: ‘“My brave lad, I thank you. I deplore the wound you have received in my service.”? “ATE -is simply. ‘‘A king’s life nothing?’’? smiled his majesty. ‘‘Ah, that is a democratic prin- ciple. It is American. I admire your cleverness and bravery. You will hear from me,”’ He turned away, after learning from the surgeon that Clif’s wound was a mere scratch, and, surrounded by his suite, left the ship. A wild cheer greeted him as he entered the barge, and there was every sign of joy at his escape. aa nothing, sir, replied Clif, oO Ehoo So CO) Conn in