The Blue Clipper — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

> : ji aioe by means of a ee ladderto the distance of-ten rie lower end of the rope touched a rugged floor of rock, as was shown by the sound of the man’s feet upon it, All wus darkness here, Out of this darkness a rough voice said: “Ts that-you, Wilkins ?” S-Ay, ay. Instantly a lantern flashed, revealing the face and garb of the speaker, He wore a Guernsey shirt, a glazed hat and duck pants, the latter confined round the waist by a belt, in which were a long horn-handled knifeand a pistol. Theface was severe and stern, the eyes black and sunken, the forebead low, cliecks bearded. His first movement was to haul down the rope, his next to pass through a narrow passage on the right, leading so nearly perpendicularly downward, that both he and his follower were obliged to Walk carefully, to keep from stumbling, Threading» this passage, fully sixteen yards long, they reached a rock-ribbed apartment, in every respect resembling a jurgé cavern, except that the floor was boarded, and neat = shelves, holding miscellaneous articles, ranged along the walls. It was about thirty by forty feet in size, and lighted by several iron lamps, secured to the wall. Around the base ot these walls were benches, upon which sat, reclined and slept about sixty rough fellows, their reckless, dare devil looks — — matching with those of him who had just arrived. While the garb of ail—consisting mostly of dark flannel shirts, and canvas pants—was nearly alike, their faces were of varied types—-Spanish, Ameri¢an, English and Mexican. 2 = Meanwhile he who had been termed Wilkins, following bis ~ ecouductor to a deserted angle of the apartment, where there S was a smal table, sat down thereby, where 4 conversation in a low voice took place between the two, Wilking wore a mask, which he did not once remote. “His se face, tlierefore, was invisible, bnt the broad, muScular figure = and weli turned limbs told of youth and strength. —= “So Government is filling out more cruisers after us, you = say—eh, Wilkins?” — “ Ay, ay, Captain Malo ;eand my advice to you is to look out for yourself.” Man's