The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-19
Select Storg.
HIDDEN TREASURE.
TALE OF rnr LAND AND rnr SEA.

At fort in Florida, during the Semi
mole war, a man named Richard Blount
lay wounded and dying. A keen observer
might have discerned in the emaciated
features, well covered by an iron-gray
untrimmed beard, traces of refinement
almost efaced, il is true, by the unmis-
taxable marks of turbulent, and perhaps
criminal career.
The surgeon in charge of the stockade
seemed man Of warm heart and tender
sympathies, which had not been blunted
by familiarity with suffering He carefully
tended the dying soldier, doing all in his
power, by words and actions, to soothe his
last hours. This kindness was not without
results. Impressed by attentions to which
he had long been unaccustomed, Richard
Blount-taciturn and reserved by habit,
il not by nature--grew more communica-
tive, and, at last made certain revelations
Of which no other living man had any
knowledge.
One afternoon, as the sun was setting
red and broad in burning haze behind
the motionless palmettoes, aud the mocking
bird was pouring forth his wealth of music
by the still bayous where the alligator
basked unmolested, Richard, who was feel
ing stronger than usual, after period Of
silence and mental struggle with himself
said.
doctor, you've been mighty good to
mc. You are the first person who has
spoken kind word to me for many years.
I've led hard life Of il, and very likely
don't deserve any better than I've receiv-
ed, yet l can't forget that / was once
better man and used to kind wc.ds from
those who loved me- And now, although
l am both poor and forsaken, yet believe
me when say that it is in my power to
make you as wealthy as your widest fan
cies could desire"
"I was born in England; have not a
single relation now living, and to you it
can be Of no consequence what were the
early circumstances Of my life. II is
enough to say that l was the youngest son
of good family, and was destined TO the
church, for which was totally untitled.
was sent TO Oxford, but an Unsuitable
thirst for adventure caused me to run away.
After various fortunes in many parts of
the world, in which the cards were gener-
ally against me, it was at last my luck tofnd
myself shipped with crew of privateer
schooner, and a motley set we were
Spaniards, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Ital-
ians, Yankees, Grecks--men of all races.
Two or three years ! sailed in her, board
ing and burning vessels in the Spanish
main, At length rumor reached the
nest Of pirates to which ! belonged that
the English government was about to take
vigorous measures to capture our vessels
and destroy our rendezvous As we had
Tor long time been very successful, with |
out any serious molestation, there was all
che moro reason to believe the report A
council Of war was called, in which words
ran high. But it was decided that, MS our
rendezvous was well known and would
most likely be attacked first, and we should
be anable to defend ourselves successfully |
against such forces as could be sent against
us, We ought at once to remove our posses
sions and conceal them for awhile in some
unknown hiding place. With us to decide
was to act, and without further delay the
treasure, which was enormous, being accu-
mulated spoil of many hard fights and
scuttled ships, was slowed in the holds of |
our vessels. CA little water, surgeon, If
you'll be SO good
Soimmense," continued Richard, after
moment, "was the stock Of dollars and
sdoubloons and jewelry that no other bal
last was needed for the schooners. When
everything was on board we set fire to the
cabins on shore, and by the glare Of the
burning houses dropped down the lagoon
and made an ofing. We headed for tho
coast Of Florida, and the moon being at
full showed the schooners into an inlet
whose whereabouts was known to ope Of
our captains, native Of Florida, born At
Key West, son Of wrecker, tbfak. II
was a very quiet part Of the country,
without so many people as there are about
Il now and they aren't over thick even
now, We had sent some men ashore IN a |