The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

888 THE man, a quick and handy seaman; and after giving instructions as to what should be done in my absence, we got the boat, hoisted the little sail, and headed down for the town. There was not a sign of life in the outskirts, and I motioned to Alston to head for the muella that jutted out from the end of the main street; but when we were within a few rods of it T heard distinctly in the stillness the hoarse challenge of a sentry on the pier-head as he halted a party of peo- ple on the quay, so I quietly hauled over the sail and set the head of the boat about, making for the beach astern of us. We made our landing at an isolated spot, and, cautioning. Alston to remain with the boat, I picked my way up the beach to the town. ° My dress was in no way different from that of the Spanish residents, and I knew that my Spanish was quite good enough to pass me without de- tection. I knew where Angelo Cabre- ra lived, for I had seen the house dur- ing our occupancy of the place, and I made my way along the deserted street as rapidly as I could with quietness. The night was pitchy dark, so that several times | had to feel my way along the wall till at last I came to the building which stood upon a corner with two windows, guarded by. por- tales of wrought iron, opening upon each of the two streets. A great door studded with large iron nails opened on the main street, the Calle Real, and in the center of the large door, which was of a size suffi- cient to admit two horses abreast, was a smaller door, which was used by pedestrians. It was typical of all Span- ish houses in warm lands. I rapped gently upon the door and, getting no answer, knocked again, this time with my sword-hilt. After a few moments I heard some one moving about inside the house, and presently a small grating about a foot square opened in the middle of the door. “ Oue hay?” a hoarse voice asked. ARGOSY. “Omen es?” Who is it?) “I wish Cabrera.” “Poco a poco.’ (Wait a bit.) The shutter of the grating slammed into place and I stepped close in the shadow of the doorway. In a few minutes the shutter was again opened, and the voice of Cabrera asked : ‘““ Who is it that wishes to speak with me?” “Is this Senor Angelo Cabrera?” [ asked, to make sure. “Yes, yes. Who but Angelo Cabre- ra would be fool enough to answer a call after dark?” ‘Do. you remember a talk that you had with two Englishmen in the road- way away out by the edge of the jungle? ”’ “Yes, yes,” he said quickly. this, then, Senor Upholme? ” “Yes, it is [. I have to come to see you, and [ must have a moment of talk.” “Show your face by the grating.” I did so and he flashed a candle in my face. The bolt of the small door withdrew noisily and it opened on its rusty hinges. I stepped inside and it clanged shut. f “ What is it, sewtor? Has there been a fight, and have the Brethren of the Coast been defeated? ”’ “Not that last,” I said. I had no mind to trust even Cabrera wholly. “I have come to say farewell to Sefiora de Montijo. May I see her?” eS. Wat here.” He pushed me into a small room that opened into the entresol and placed his candle-lantern upon the table. “Wait here,” he said, “and I will return. ~You can see her but for a few moments only.” I waited anxiously, and, indeed, once or twice [ almost regretted that I had come. (What do you want? to see Sefior Angelo se Is that Cabreba should have qualms of Suppose, now that I was in the, house with door closed and _ barred,’ conscience about what was demanded - by his loyalty to his king! In such a VOOKS (C@) AMG (C@)