The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-04-11

| he was one of the crew of a : wrecked
vessel. who had escaped in the boat
Black found his way to the scene OF
the wreck. and made no secret of the
fact that he, had come Co see whethe,
ANYTHING had been seen of his sea chest
on which he appeared to set great val
ue. None knew anything Of it. A,
the suggestion az lsone one. BLACK
visited the Nov. where he found Ralph
at work building pipstv. NJ -
The boy was struck with the hand.
ONE Young sailor, and entered freely
into conversation with him. When he
learned that he was one of the suryi.
vors Of the wreck, his interest was in.
creased, and, taking him into the big
kitchen, he introduced him to Barbara,
who was busy at the churn. ..1uI-
Room would fail to give all the de.
tails, and so it must sutfice to sav tha,
the Young sailor was heartily welcomed
and stayed there that night, occupying
a bed with Ralph, whom he fasci.
mated with tales of the sea and distan,
clmes. ,r ui r,t .. MI
Next day Black disclosed to Ralph
that the object of his visit was to dis.
cover. hif possible. some traces of his
missing chest. The blood rushed to
the boys face, for he had no doub,
that the trunk which he had helped
his brother TO carry to the house
from the beach belonged to the young
sailor.
Despite his early training, Ralph
was naturally truthful and honorable
boy. and be hesitated but moment in
disclosing the fact that such a chest al
the sailor described was then in the
house. s'' '.. ''
my brother" he said, "was engaged
in smuggling, and had secret places
where he slowed goods. The trunk is
there, but I'm afraid it is empty Wha,
is worse fear my brother has the
keys .''' 'A''"''.,
Ralph, however, had happy thought
aud he added, quickly
"It's Just possible he didn't take the
keys. III search where he used to hide
them, and be back in a minute" -"
With that be ran off and shortly re-
turned with the keys. Going into the
Dyer, or cow-honse, in the rear OF the
dwelling, the sailor accompanying him
talph lighted lantern. Then, lifting
the lid OF a corn bin, he said:
"The bottom OF this bin lifts up, and
below. are stairs leading to the cellar o
the old castle. Lay hold OF the nail il
the tar corner and pull. - a.a.....
The sailor did so, and the bottom
came away, revealing flight of steps
Ralph climbed into the bin, followed
by Black, and they descended the
steps into vault, Selecting a key
Ralph applied it to the lock of a dool
in one corner. and in moment they
were inside spacious cellar. On thu
floor lay scores OF empty barrels, pack
ages, boxes and lumber OF all kinds
and among them the chest. The sailo
was III high spirits, though he found i
empty. g.,
"Never mind the duds,' ne said
there is something more important
than all. .|.'
With this he turned the chest oil
end, took out his knife and applied i
to screw in the bottom. Then h,
removed another screw at the othe
end, and the next moment the falls
bottom of the chest was removed, dis
closing space in which lay severa
papers and small case. These h,
eagerly drew forth, and the two re
turned by the way they had come.
"Say nothing, said the sailor" Thes
are invaluable to Inc, and some da,
you may be none the worse off fo
having helped me to recover them"
So much remains to be told that tn
story must hasten. After a stay O
over week at the Now, Black depart
ed. In ten days he landed from
smack at Wrapping Old Stairs, London
and al the invitation of big, ioll,
man, whom he thought he had seel
before, he went to sailors hotel nea
oy, and TINS was the place Just Dough
out by Ranscom and Cuthbert Hen
don, the latter OF whom had assumed
the name OF Phillips. AS Black ap
peared to be well supplied with money
Ranscom, who was an unmitigate'
scoundrel, began to plot to bleed him
Cuthbert was now the husband OF Sal
lie, and she was ssed to inveigle Black
Like most sailors, he was only too sus
ceptible to female Establishments. Th
tact OF Sallie,s being Cuthberts wit
was concealed, and all that Black knew
was that she was Ranscom's daughter
lie soon discovered that Ranscom an
Sallie had been passengers on the yes
sci OF which ne was boatswain, and \
TACT recognized them, though he ha
not seen much OF them aboard BlacI
was Induced 10 marry SAME anu 'h
n nes' Pas. @ ~ nls 'hEmey Ty was seoureu y y
sne @ oolslll'a r 'a.ors' hel le was accuse use
oy an accohP''ce oi hahscoin 0, nav ti
Ins 'voien ~ nis "a'o9' anu anu eurne' III; ~
QUE QUE ! morning e. out oi the % mousse In
was ''u'a'' 'n'"s io' nun
Purchasing wherry with none
which he had lett ON deposit with tn
owner OF the wrecked vessel, ne Pile
his trade pm the Thames One day l
summer he was emplOVed To take