San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-04-10

glasses upon the CABIN table, Two great DOWls
of punch were brewed, and in a little time
we had all fallen to. Whispered Wilkinson,
who sat next me: "These boatmen know
nothing of our business; shall have to take
Mr.. Mason apart and arrange with him.
These fellows may not be fit for our service
Let no hint escape you"
Fright, sir" said he.
This | said to disarm his suspicious should
he see me talking alone with Mr.. Mason. He
entertained us with an account of his excur-
sion to London, and then, partly to appease
the profound curiosity of the boatmen and
partly to save time when should come to
confer with my relative, | gave them the
story of my shipwreck, and told how | had
met with the schooner and how l had man.
aged to escape with her.
"And now, Mason" said 1, ''while our
friends here empty these bowls, come you
with me to the cook room" And with that
we quilted the cabin.
"D'ye mean to tell me, Paul." was the first
question my relative asked, 'that this vessel
was on the ice eight-and-forty years"
eyes," replied.
"Surely you dreamw
81 think not"
''What we have been eating and drinking,
is that forty-eight years old, too."
Gay, and older"
"Well, such a thing shall make me credu-
lous enough to duck old women for witches.
But what brandy-what brandy! Never had
spirit such bouquet. Every pint is worth
its weight in guineas to ricn man. To think
of Deal boatmen and niggeS swilling such
nectar!"
"Mason," said I, speaking low, "give me
now your attention. In the run of this
schooner are ten chests loaded with money,
bars of silver and gold, and jewelry. This
vessel was pirate, and her people valued
their booty at 900 to 100000"
His jaw fell. He stared as if he knew not
whether it was he or that was mad.
''Here is evidence that speak the TRUTH"
said l. "a little sample only-but look at
it," And l put the pirate captains watch
into his hand.
He eyed it as though he discredited the in
telligence of his sight, turned it about and
returned it to me with faint Heaven pre-
serve me-" Then said he, still family: "You
found some Of the pirates alive!"
"No.n
"Who told you that the people of the YES
sci valued their plumber at that amounts"
answered by giving him the story of the
recovery of the Frenchman.
He listened with a gaze of CONSERVATION.
| saw how it was; he believed my sufferings
had affected my reason. There was only one
way to settle his mind; took a lantern, and
asked him to follow me. As we passed
through the cabin l whispered to Wilkinson
that | meant to show my relative the lading
below, and babe him keep the Deal men about
him. l had the keys of the chests in my
pocket; lifting the after hatch, we entered
the laZarette, and Mason gazed about him
with establishment But was in too great
hurry to return to suffer him to idly stand
and stare. l opened the second hatch and
descended into the run, and crawling to the
jewel chest opened it, removed a few of the
small arms, and babe him look for himself
"Incredible! incredible!" he cried lis it
possiblel is it possible! Well, to be sure!"
And for some moments he could find no more
to say, so amazed and COMPOUNDED was he
Iquickly showed him the gold and silver
ingots, and then returned the fire arms and
locked the chests.
"These," said 1, emphatically, pointing to
the cases, "have been my difficulty; not the
lading, though there is value there too. Ny
crew knew nothing of these chests-of their
value, l mean they believe them cases of
small arms. How am I to get them ashore?
If I tell the truth, they will be seized as
piratical plumber. If Isequivocate, may
tumble into pit of difficulties. l burst not
carry them to the Thames-the river swarms
with thieves and custom house people, I
am terrified to linger here, lest be boarded
and the booty discovered. There is but one
plan, think; we must hire some Deal SNUG
glers to run these chests and the cargo for
us. The boat now alongside might serve,
and l don't doubt the men are to be had at
their own price"
| Ny relative had regained his wits which
the sight of the treasure had temporarily
scattered, and surveyed me thoughtfully
while | spoke, and then said, "Let us return
to the fire; think l have a better scheme
than yours"
The men still sat around the table talking
Some liquor yet lay in one of the bowls, and
the fellows were happy enough. smiled at
Wilkinson as | passed, that he might suppose
| our inspection below very satisfactory, and l
saw him look meaningly and pleasantly at
Washington Cromwell, who sat with laced
hat ON his head
paul" said Mason, sitting down and fold
| ing his arms, ''your smuggling plan will not
| do. 1t would be the height of madness to
| trust those chests to the risks of running and
to the honesty Of the rogues engaged inlthat
| business