The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-08
CHAPTER VII

CdAPIEh VII
Between three and four In tho morning the
clouds broke over the Pontiac. and the m DON.
riding high. picked out in black and silver the
long hulk that lay Graded between tho iron
shells Of Warehouse and the wooden frames OF
tenements on either eide. The galley and COW
cred gangway presented mass OF underlined
shadow. against which the white deck shone
brightly. stretching 10 the forecastle aud bows.
where the tiny glass roof OF the photogra-
piers Riistened like q gem in the Pontiac's
crest. So peaceful and motionless she lay that
she might have been some petrifaction Of q
past age now frat exhumed and laid bare to
thu cold light Of tho stars
Nevertheless this calm security was present.
ly invaded by a sense OF stealthy life and mo-
ton. What had seemed a fixed shadow sud.
denly detached itself from tho deck. and began
to slip stanchion by stanchion along tho bull.
warks toward the companion way. At the
cabin door it halted and crouched motionless.
Then rising. 1t Glided forward with tho same
staccato movement until opposite the Sigh.
elevation Of the forehatch. Suddenly 1t darted
to tho hatch. unfastsned and lifted 1t with .
swift. familiar dex.erity. and disappeared In
tho opening. But as the moon shone upon It's
vanishing face, 1t revealed the whitening eyes
and teeth OF the Lascar seaman.
Dropping to the lower deck lightly. he felt his
way through tho dark passage between the par.
titions. evidently less familiar to him. hating
before each door to liston. Returning forward.
he reached the second hatchway that had at
tracted Rosey's attention. and noiselessly I'M
closed its fastenings. A penetrating smell Of
bilge arose from the opening. Drawing . small
bulrs-eye lantern from his breast. he lit 1t, and
unhesitatingly let himself down to the further
depth. The moving flash OF his light revealed
the recesses OF the upper hold. the abyss OF the
well amidships and glanced from the shining
backs OF moving zi1zags OF rats that seemed to
outline the shadowy beams and transoms.
Designating these curious spectators Of his
movements. he turned his attention eagerly
to the inner castings OF the hold. that seer med
in one spot to have been strengthened by
fresh timDers. Attacking this steathily.
with the aid Of some tools hidden In his Oil.
skin clothing. In the light OF the lantern he
bore a fanciful resemblance to the predatory
animals around him. The low continuous
sound OF rasping and gnaving OF timber which
followed heightened tho resemblance. At the
end Of a few minutes he had succeeded In re-
moving enough OF the outer planking TO show
that the entire filing OF tho casing between the
stanchions was com posed OF small boxes Drag
ging out one Of them with feversh enRerness
to the Light tho Lascar forced it open. In the
rays OF the bull's-eye. a wedged mass OF discol-
ored coins shone with lurid glow The story
OF the Pontiac was trus-the treasure WINS there
But Mr.. S!eight had overlooked the logical
effect OF this discovery on the natural viliainy
OF his tool. In the very moment Of his tri-
umphant execution OF his patrons sugges-
tions the idea OF keeping the treasure to him
self flashed upon his mind. lie had discovered
it-why should he give it up to anybody? lie
had run all tho risks; IL he were detected a.
that moment. who would believe that his pur-
pose there at midnight was only to satisfy
some one else that the treasure was still intact.
No. The circumstances were propitious: be
would get the treasure out OF the ship at
once. drop 1t over her side hastily conceal it
in the nearest lot adjacent. and take 1t away
a. his convenience. Who would be the wiser
for it?
But 1t was necessary to reconnoitre 1rst. He
knew that the loft overhead was empty. He
knew that it communicated with the alley. for
he had tried the door that morning. He would
convey the treasure there. and drop 1t into the
alley The boxes were heavy Each one would
require separate Journey to tho ship's side.
but he would at least secure something il he
were interrupted He stripped the casing and
gathered the boxes together in a pile.
All. yes. it was funny too that hottie Lascar
hound-the ID ngger-should get what
bigger and butler men than he had died for.
salt water had not washed 1t out. Il was hell
Of a fight when they dragged the CAPTAIN
Oh what was that Was 1t tho splash Of a rat
in the bge. or what?
A supers,itious terror had begun to sez.
him at the thought OF blood. The sitting holl
seemed again Allied with struggling figures he
had known; the air thick with cries and bias
phe los that he had forgotten. He rose to his
feet. and. running quickly to the ha,chway.
lesped to the deck above. Al, was quiet. The
door leading to the empty loft yielded to his
touch. He entered. and. gliding through. un.
barred and opened the door that gave upon
the alley. The cold air and moonlight flowed
in silently: the way OF escape was clear. Bah!
He would 20 back for tn. treasu
He had reached the passage when the door
he had Just opsned was suddenly darkened.
Turning rapidly. he was con scious OF a gaunt
figure. groteslue. silent, and erect looming on
the threshold between him and tho sky. Hill.
don In the shadow. he made stealthy step to-