Happy Days: Tom Taylor, The Boy Who Worried Blanco — page 5: what you’re looking at

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St oa oT a a 4," . 4 ‘ ou J ’ « . : “ a, “nl ‘ = : wed :¥ = , F) J a. \ ¢ 7 4 P *\ a Se - for if it is he must be a spy.” the lieutenant. “I f 1 _ 5 Sh TA =~ b ry ; Jit ere , "=, , ae * c ~~ > ‘‘ What are you after now?” the lieuten- ant asked, ‘ST came ashore to look at one of the na- tives you have employed around the arsenal here.” “What's the matter with him?” the lieutenant asked. ‘‘T don’t know, sir; that’s what I want to find out. Long Tom told me last night that one of the fellows here was in the arty that captured me the other day, and Po anted to see for myself if it was true; ‘‘ Why, yes, I should think so. Wait awhile and I'll go out with you.” After conferring with the surgeons for awhile, the lieutenant said he was ready to go, and together they repaired to the arsenal, where, under charge of the ser- geant, nearly a dozen natives were en- gaged in cleaning out the old building, - removing from ita lot of old debris that entered the ser- had accumulated there. As the the arsenal the lieutenant aske _geant if all the hands were at work. ‘Yes, sir,” he replied, whereupon Jack and the lieutenant proceeded to stroll over to where a party of natives were engaged at work. Just as they reached the corner where four of them were filling some baskets, one of the’natives was seen to take to his heels and run at full speed to the rear exit, The others stopped work and gazed after him as though very much surprised at his actions, He was gone in a flash, ere Jack or the lieutenant got a.view of his face. ‘‘T’ll bet that’s the fellow,” said Jack. ‘T haven't a doubt of it,” returned the officer,; ‘‘ and I’m sorry that I didn’t fire at him, but I’ll tell the sergeant to arrest him if he returns here ag ‘n and hold him for identification.” The lieutenant called up the sergeant, and told him how one of the men had run out as he and Jack approached, ‘‘Tf he returns,” he said, ‘“‘ have him ar- rested and report to me,” ‘* All right, sir,” said the sergeant, sa- luting his officer, who at once retired with the cabin boy. ‘You had better remain quietly inside the fort to-day, Jack,” said he, ‘‘for I think that fellow will come back,” Jack returned to the fort with the lieu- tenant, where he spent an hour or so an- swering | Sheen and telling his experi- ences while out with the insurgent chief, Then he went through the hospital to see the wounded natives who had come in with him the day before, They were all glad to see him, and were apparently very grateful for what had been done for them. The young native officer had gone away the night before to rejoin Aguinaldo, after having instructed the wounded ones to follow as soon as they were able to do so, While he was in the hospital talking to one of the surgeons a marine came hastily towards him, saying: ‘‘The lieutenant wishes to see you in the fort, sir.” Jack excused himself to the surgeon, and hurried away with the marine to re- port to the lieutenant. CHAPTER XXIV, CONCLUSION, On entering the officer’s quarters Jack saw the sergeant and two marines guard- ing a native prisoner. He looked at the pris- oner with a scrutinizing glance, and saw a face which he didn’t recognize atall, His left eye had a squint, and the right side of his mouth was nearly an inch higher than the left side. ‘Jack, do you know that fellow?” the lieutenant asked. The cabin boy gazed at him again for the space of a minute or two, after which he said ; ‘*T can’t say that I do, lieutenant.” The lieutenant noticed a broad grin on the face of the sergeant, and asked him: ‘‘ What's the matter, sergeant? * He's got his face twisted out of shape, ‘‘The ‘deuce he has!” exclaimed the offi- cer, gazing intently at the face of the black. ‘Do you mean to say that he has twisted his mouth in that shape and squinted his eye?” ‘‘ Yes, sir,” answered the sergeant. The officer burst into a regular horse laugh, in which Jack joined him; but the Philippino stood there looking solemn as an owl, with his mouth stretched across his face at an angle of about forty-five de- grees, Jack laughed until the tears coursed ‘down his cheeks, u ‘‘ Just keep him there, sergeant, ordered want to see just how long he can keep that face on him,” and the officer took a seat in front of the man and watched him for hearly half an hour, ‘ He’s a good one,” he chuckled, “and if he can keep up that face all day I'll ship him to a dime museum in New York, Another half hour passed, and the stoic- al old fellow remained just the same, “Say, Jack,” he said, ‘go over to the ~ ~. 7 ” = i = » * i tt a € a <* i lenge x Te) @ tg f= mh a . 7 } ~ ~ { - A NEST a Se gr 8 s « . 7 * res ~ : ’ : « i) " © ¥5 » ’ - 1 er } ow ete Lane + Ld “SN HAPEFY DATS © hospital and ask oneof the surgeons to come over.” Jack hurried away, but returned in about ten minutes, accompanied by one of the surgeons, ‘* Doctor,’ said the officer, ‘‘ what do you think of that face ?, The doctor looked at the prisoner stead- ily for a couple of minutes, and asked ; ‘‘ What’s the matter with him ?” ‘‘That’s what I want to find out,” an- swered the officer, ‘‘ I’ve had him arrested on suspicion, and sent for Jack to identif him as one of his reeent captors, whic he is unable todo, The sergeant, though, says that the fellow is squinting, and has elevated one corner of his mouth and low- ered the other to avoid indentification.” The doctor looked at the fellow again and began to laugh, ‘*T guess the sergeant is right,” said he, ‘“Is there no way to get his mouth back in its natural shape?” ‘* None that I know of, except to keep a watch on him, for it takes a wonderful endurance fora man to keep. his mouth twisted in that condition any length of time, though a squint ofthe eye is an easy matter. How long have you had him here ?” ‘* A bout an hour.” ‘‘ Well, that’s pretty good,” chuckled the doctor. ‘‘ What's the fellow been doing ?” ‘* He was one of Jack’s captors the other day, but he has been working with a num- ber of others cleaning out the arsenal,” ‘‘Keep a watch on him,” said the doc- tor, ‘‘or else tickle him and make him laugh,” ‘* Where’s the best place to tickle him?’ ‘““Well, you mighf try him all over his anatomy ; some people are more easy to tickle than others, easily tickled by a straw or feather on the soles of their feet, though it would have no effect on one who has been going bare- footed all his life, as he has,” The doctor then returned to the hospital, where he reported the case to his brother surgeons, each of whom came in to look at him, They sent for wine and cigars and passed a jolly hour, laughing at the fellow, who all the time remained solemn as an owl, Finally one of the doctors asked the lieutenant : ‘What are you going to do with him?” ‘Keep him for identification, or else start a museum with him,” Then turning to Jack, he asked: ‘‘Can you see no resemblance at all to one of your captors ?” ‘Very little, lieutenant, except his size and build. If you have aninterpreter, you might get something out of the others to establish his identity.” ‘‘ Nobody can identify him but you,” said the officer, ‘fas one of yourcaptors, Iam satisfied from what the sergeant says that he is making that face,” ‘‘T’d swear that he is, sir,” said the ser- geant, Finally one of the doctors undertook to use a small sharp-pointed stick in an effort to tickle the fellow, who was naked to his waist, wearing a breech clout; but the prisoner stood likea stump—never moved or changed a muscle of his face, ‘* You'll have to identify him when he is asleep,” laughed the doctor, ‘‘for then his face will resume its natural shape,” ‘‘ Sergeant,” said the officer, ‘‘ place him in the guard-room, with two sentinels to watch him all the time ;” and the prisoner was led away to one of the compartments that was used as a guard-room, and a cou- pie of marines were placed in charge of im with instructions what to do, In the afternoon Jack returned on board the flag-ship, and reported to the commo- dore and the officers about the arrest of the native. They were very much amused, ‘*T doubt, though,” said the commodore, ‘that he is a spy, for while the natives make splendid guides, it takes a very in- telligent one to be a spy.” The next morning Jack went ashore again and found that the lieutenant had drugged some liquor which had been given the prisoner, who was then sound asleep. ‘‘That’s the fellow,” said Jack, as he took alook athim, “I’d know him inany part of the world,” ‘ You're sure of that?” the officer asked. ‘* Yes, sir,” he replied. ‘*Then I will report the case to the com- modore, and ask for instructions,” He did so, and the commodore instruct- ed him to turn the prisoner over to Aguin- aldo to be dealt with as he saw proper. ‘* Let me deliver him to the general, lieu- tenant?” asked Jack. “[’m afraid to risk any of the marines out there in those woods, for they might run into a body of Spaniards. I will send one of thoseslightly wounded men through with a note to the general, asking him to send a force after the prisoner.” The next day twoof the wounded natives in the hospital were sufficiently recovered from their injuries to return to their du- ties, gab an interpreter he told them what he wished to hate them do, asking if they would perform the service, ae Se a Most people can be They said they would be glad to serve the Americanos, He then gave them a note to the insur- gent chief, with a atatement that the prisoner was one of the captors of the commodore’s cabin boy the week before. They waited until night, and then slipped away through the bushes, after having been passed through the line by the of- ficer of the guard, Two days later, the young officer who had come through with Jack when he left the headquarters of the insurgent chief, was halted by the pickets with a body of one hundred armed natives at his back, He had come for the prisoner, who went away with him, carrying his wry face and squinting eye. A day or two later a vessel from Hong Kong reached the fleet with a heavy mail for the officers and men, Jack received letters from his mother and friends, to- gether with the home paper, which con- tained an extract from the commodore’s letter to her, in which he stated that Jack was well, and was considered by officers and men, as one of the real heroes of the fleet, by reason of splendid services ren- dered at critical moments, and that, too, in positions to which he had not been as- signed, but became involved by unexpected development of circumstances, He still remains with the fleet, serving the commodore as cabin boy, who has de- clared to him that his promotion as admiral will also pave the way for a higher position for himself in the service of his country. [THE END. | + @—=> <- THIS NUMBER CONTAINS THE LAST COUPON OF THE 4th FOUR WEEKS’ Bi- CYCLE CONTEST. SEE DATE ON 8th PACE WHEN ALL COUPONS MUST REACH US. SS et ae [This story commenced in No, 194.) Young Bob Sampson Afloat With the Fighting Admiral. By C. LITTLE, Author of **The Gold Queen,” “ The Boy Diplomat,” “The Senator’s Secretary,” *“* Young Thomas T7.,’” “ The Prince of the Prairie,” etc. CHAPTER-XXII BOB SEES GENERAL GOMEZ, ‘Dick, we are lost unless we can take to the water! ‘That alone can save us! Quick! Decide! What do you say?” ‘It’s got to be, Bob. Ican’t swim like you, but I'll do my best,” was Dick Dan- vers’ reply. ‘Then run for it! Make for the shore and jump in off the bluff! Never mind the shots ! tf we are hit that ends it all!” Leading the way, Young Bob Sampson ran for his life through the underbrush, reached the edge of the low bluff, and bold- ly dove into the sea, Dick followed him, Shots came whirling after them by the dozen, The Spaniards be iets for them to stop, but they paid no heed. It was life or death, and doubtless it would have been the latterif the Spaniards had been a little more observant, Following their usual ship shod methods, the enemy, as soon as they saw the boys leap from the bluff, assumed that they would te drowned or that the sharks would get them, and retreated up the hill, disappearing. among the palm groves be- ond, : But Bob and Dick were very far from dead. Bob was doing his usual wonderful swimming under water. He kept hold of Dick and helped him all he could, and the result was that after coming up twice for breath, they were able to tand further along the shore, With their rifles gone, and their strength, too, they crawled up upon the shore, — ‘By gracious, this is a bad job!" sighed Dick. ‘* What are we todo now?" Bob thought it a question mighty hard to decide, and said so. General Gomez’s messenger was dead perhaps, and at all events entirely bevond their reach; they were cut off from the fiag-ship and matters looked serious enough, ‘‘There’s nothing for it but to get back to the ship if we can,” said Dick, ‘* Not until the dispatches are delivered,” said Bob, firmly, ‘I’ve comeout todo this job and I mean to put it through if it takes a leg.” «A very well to say, Bob, but how is it to be dene? There’s no sense in being fool- hardy over it.” 7 Vait,” said Bob. ‘I don’t know why Isay it, but something seems to tell me that the way will open up if we—ha! What's that?’ 5 A man had suddenly appeared on the shore at some little distance from them. He was an elderly man with white hair and beard, and wore the uniform of an officer in the Cuban service, He turned toward the boys and surveyed them intently, then turning on his heels, disappeared among the bushes. ‘‘ Heavens and earth, Dick ! do you know that man?” gasped Bob. ‘Know him? No! Howshould I know him ?”’ said Dick, ‘*He’s a high Cuban of- ficer, though—any one can see that,” ‘It’s General Gomez himself !” SW hat—whatt Do you really believe eae cr ‘‘Believeit! I knowit! I've seen his picture too many times to be deceived.” And right or wrong, Bob was given im- mediate opportunity to prove his assertion, for immediately the Cuban officer reap- peared, mounted ona fine horse, and ac- companied by some twenty mounted men, They rede rapidly along the beach, and had surrounded the boys in a moment, Bob and Dick saluted, ‘Ts this Admiral Sampson’s dispatch bearer?” demanded the Cuban officer, with marked accent, ‘Tam from Admiral Sampson,” replied Bob, half trembling for the result. ‘“‘ May I ask : ‘*T am General Gomez,” interrupted the great Cuban leader, for the officer was no one else. “I saw the attack on my mes- senger from the top of yonder hill and our brave retreat also. We rode down ere to meet you. Give methe dispatches, OY. Bob handed them over and they were hurriedly perused by General Gomez, who then dismounted and hastily wrote a few lines, enclosed the message in an envelope and handed it to Bob, ‘“Tn ten minutes a boat will be here to take you back to the New York,” he said. ‘You will convey my best respects to Admiral Sampson and hand him my dis- patch. Young man, what is your name?” ‘‘Bob Sampson, sir, and this is Dick Danvers, one of the midshipmen of the New York,” ‘‘T am pleased to meet you both,” replied General Gomez, extending his hand, “and I trust I may meet you again in Santiago at no distant day. Adlon: gentlemen, Look out for the boat.” Having said this the Cuban leader sprang upon his horse and rode away accompan- ied by his staff. In due time the boat came, pulled by two stout Cubans, and the boys were rowed out to the flag-ship. Thus the mission which opened so dis- astrously turned out happily, and Young Bob Sau:pson’s mission was accomplished to the complete satisfaction of his chief, Day followed day, each bringing its work and its minor triumphs for the United States fleet, until at last the day came when the vast company of transports con- veying the invading army arrived, Young Bob Sampson saw them come up, of course, With Nettie Browning he stood on the deck of the New York, and saw the great naval procession slowly wending its way to shoreward, Then followed the landing and the battles—exciting days there, whose events we should like nothing better than to de- tailif space would permit, but we mus6 pass on to other and more important mat- ters, for Bob had another secret service mission on hand, ‘Once more, Bob,” said the admiral, meeting our hero on deck one evening. ‘* Are you ready for the most dangerous mission you have had yet?” ‘*Always ready, sir,” replied Bob, promptly. ‘* Perhaps you are not fully aware of the nature of the work,” replied -Admiral Sampson, ro at the boy’s enthusiasm, “It makes no difference how dangerous it is,” said Bob. ‘‘I’m ready just the same,” ‘* Well, then, here’s your work. I want you and Danvers to run up to Santiago and see what you can learn about Admiral Cervera’s plans,” ‘* To Santiago |!" gasped Bob. Naturally, he,was rather taken aback by the coolness of the request. As well might the admiral have asked him to put his head in a lion’s mouth. But this made no difference in the boy's reply. ‘All right, sir, I'm ready to go any time,” said Bob. CHAPTER XXIII, INTO THE LION’S MOUTH, LATE that night a small boat put off from the New York in which three persons sat. One was Young Bob Sampson, the other Dick Danvers, but they were not dressed at all in their usual wey . Instead, they wore the uniforms of Span- ish ponror officers, and Dick, who was very dark, looked enough like a Spaniard to pass muster any where, As for the third occupant of the boat ~~ Comic » ‘3 ~~ asin Dh yi, * Pe ? rs « ai *e oy he ic ¥ ‘ 1 ' y / C a & te < é jai _ (lh ~ hat! i \ J ante bs ~ tN — > i. & whe th * et: to @ © e ike 2 eee Ay ¢ . » > ¢ P * * ms s x +. x be Ve Bf