Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

“ How long will that boat stay in port? ” “ Three or four days at least.” ‘ Where is the port? ” “On the southern coast of the tsland; in other words, directly across from the place where you were driven ashore.” “That part of the island I suppose is more strongly guarded than the northern coast? ” “ Indeed it is, but once overcome the Don and Josefo, and it will not be so difficult a thing to get at the guards. The crew of the vessel may be another matter ” “We can take care of the crew, if once we get at the Don. Strike at the head of the institution here, and the limbs will fall easily.” Crenshawe spoke with great confidence, and Edwardes, too, for the first time since they had met, appeared to have hope in the success of the Ameri- can’s plans. Their conversation had been conducted in whispers thus far, not from any necessity of it, but because both felt the tense strain that comes from discussing a matter of vital importance. They discussed it further, taking into account the probable attitude of most of the slaves as well as methods for conducting their campaign. For once Edwardes had no wet blanket to throw upon the enterprise. If he frowned upon a suggestion of his comrade, it was merely to improve it with another. To both of them it seemed that nothing could be gained by delaying operations. It might take a little time to agitate the matter among the slaves, but certainly all must be accomplished before the departure of the ice laden ship, for there was no telling how soon another of the Don’s vessels would come to port. The matter of agitation presented a bit of difficulty, for Crenshawe was unfamiliar with either Spanish or the language of the blacks. Edwardes was at home sufficiently in both, but it would have been much better if the two men could have gone to different blacks and suggested the plan independently. Edwardes suggested that it would be well to bring Tony into the scheme early, in order to make use of his linguistic attainments, for the lad certainly knew as much Spanish as he did English, and was, of course, familiar with th: black dialect. There was another slave on the island who had picked up a bit of English, and this man, a powerful negro, seemed to have certain capacities for leadership. His quarters were at a distance, and Edwardes de- cidcd that he would go and bring him to Crenshawe’s hut, while Crenshawe went to get Tony. Accordingly they separated. It was then quite dark, although the evening was not far advanced. Crenshawe found Tony in conversation with two or three slaves, who evidently had been doing what they could to ease him from the sufferings induced by his experience on the rack. It was some time before the other blacks departed, and until they had gone Crenshawe did not venture to state his errand to the boy. When he did so, Tony’s eyes lighted with joy. ‘“ Good—good,” he said over and over again. “ The black men all hate Don Ignacio. All hate Josefo to kill.” ECOMiElooolkKks CO