Brandon of the Engineers

As soon as they entered port, Dick and Jake went to the office of a

Spanish shipbroker, who offered them his polite sympathy.

"We had very little cargo here, and when he heard there was some dyewood

at San Ignacio the captain steamed off again," he explained.

"What sort of a port is San Ignacio, and how far is it?" Dick asked.

"It is an aldea on the shore of a lagoon, with a wharf that small boats

can reach, about forty miles from here."

"Then they take the dyewood off in boats? If there is much of the stuff,

it would be a long job."

"That is so, señor. The boats can only reach the wharf when the tide is

high. At other times, the cargo must be carried down through the mud."

"Have you a large chart of this coast?"

The broker brought a chart and Dick studied it for some minutes, making

notes in his pocket-book. Then he looked up.

"Where can I get fresh water?"

The broker asked how much he wanted and after taking some paper money

gave him a ticket.

"There is a pipe on the wharf and when the peon sees the receipt he will

fill your tanks."

Dick thanked him and going out with Jake found their fireman asleep in a

wine-shop. They had some trouble in wakening the man and after sending

him off to get the water, ordered some wine. The room was dirty and

filled with flies, but the lattice shutters kept out the heat and they

found the shadow pleasant after the glare outside. Jake dropped into a

cane chair with a sigh of content. He felt cramped and stiff after the

long journey in the narrow cockpit of the plunging launch, and was

sensible of an enjoyable lassitude. It would be delightful to lounge

about in the shade after refreshing himself with two or three cool

drinks, but he had misgivings that this was not what Dick meant to do.

When he had drained a large glass of light, sweet wine, he felt

peacefully at ease, and resting his head on the chair-back closed his

eyes. After this he was conscious of nothing until Dick said: "It's not

worth while to go to sleep."

"Not worth while?" Jake grumbled drowsily. "I was awake all last night.

It's quiet and cool here and I can't stand for being broiled outside."

"I'm afraid you'll have to. We start as soon as Maccario has filled the

tank."

Jake roused himself with a jerk. Dick leaned forward wearily with his

elbow on the table, but he looked resolute.

"Then you haven't let up yet? You're going on to the lagoon?"

"Certainly," said Dick. "The Danish boat has an hour's start, but she

only steams eight or nine knots and it will take some time to load her

cargo."