Kit Musgrave's Luck

n Erminio held the tiller; Kit sat on the gunwale and smoked and looked about. Between sea and mountains ran an empty plain, crossed by lava ridges and covered by sand that had blown, for sixty mi

nd he had taken Kit along the coast to look at a new tomato farm, in which he had bought shares. They found a rude wall, enclosing a belt of sand in which Kit imagined nothing coul

t people," he remarked in English. "You hav

nd sympathised

est much mon

en they start the finca there is a feast, mucho talk and drinky. Me I say, 'Viva la ind

to smile, for the captain's speculations

is good, I buy more cart and get rich quick. Vaya! The cart is on the mole, two good mule in front. Comes the locomotura, pus

as Palmas is narrow and the concrete blocks, carried on r

," he went on. "Now I have seen the

er. He hoped the breeze would not freshen much before they arrived. Then he heard blocks rattle and looked astern. A schooner had gone about behind them and was overtaking the boat. Her forefoot swung out o

id Don Erminio. "N

minio got on board. She was a beautifully-modelled vessel, belonging to the fruit-carrying fleet, but Kit understood an

boat," he said and addressed Don Erminio in good

said the other. "I have

t took a copita of sweet, white muscatel and studied his host. Wolf was dark-skinned and wore white clothes, Canary r

steamer when we anchor off

e not going

to make in the dark. If the wind holds l

Don Erminio. "I know the re

osite and Kit thought the captain's offer embarrassed the merchant. He, however, smiled and said they would wait. They could n

nd if he goes with you, the doctor will look after him to-morrow. I'd like you to send on a note I'll give you as soon as you arrive and keep the man on board until a boat com

als. Me, I know them!"

agreed. "However, I'll pay the s

e?or! A friend of yours is a friend of mine. There i

. "I expect the sobrecargo is

me money. Kit counted the coin

given me

did not know if he got it, for the schooner lurched and the floor slanted. One heard the water rush along her side and a noise on deck. Loose ca

had partly lowered the big mainsail. The indistinct figures hanging on to the long boom were trying down a reef. Presently they rehoisted the sail and when the schooner started, foa

-topped combers ran in the dark, the schooner rolled, lifting her wet side out of the foam. Sometimes the boat bumped her planks and sometimes swung away on the backwash. At length Kit jumped, and held her off while Don E

ottom and did not move. By and by Campeador's lights tossed in the dark ahead, for there was no moon and the gloom was thickened by spray and blowing sand. The steamer rolled sava

own the helm. The boat ran on towards the illuminated square of the gangway under the saloon-deck, and a rope came down. Then Kit, pulling out the mast, held her off with the hook an

platform at the bottom of the ladder with the water about his knees, helping the others, who pulled their load through the gangway. The officers' mess-room was opposite, and carrying in the man

? Where did

brought him from Wolf'

aid Macallister, who studied the man

rather indignant, bu

ye, and I o

ro savvy much. Me, I savvy something

to work. At midnight he returned to the mess-room and found Scot sitting up with his back against the bulkhead. His eyes were dull

f good for hi

e stuff is?" Maca

times doctored the captain from the ship's medicine-chest. When

added, "I only

hough he canna talk,

when you got h

oulder and Kit thought he meant

d you g

piece of lead dropped it on the table. Kit s

," Macallis

he bullet out? Wolf has

ll ken a sailor's talents. For a' that, ye'll no trust the captain

ngines and roar of broken seas. The mess-table slanted and Kit picked up the bullet, which roll

ir fellow. Away and

nner from a big hotel came alongside and they put Scot on board. In the evening Kit went to ask for him, but the clerk declared Scot had not arrived, and he doubted if their runne