Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-04-22
CHAPTER XVII.
THE TREASURE.

When his pipe was out he rose and made
several strides about the cook room, then
took the lantern, and, entering the cabin,
stood q while surveying the place.
$50 this would have been my coffin but
for you, Mr.. KodneyP" said he. 81 was
in good company, though" pointing over
his shoulder at the crucifix with his thumb.
'Lord, how the rcgues prayed and cursed
in this same cabin! In fine westher and
when all was well, the sharks in our wake
had more religion than they; but the in
slant they were in danger, down they tum-
bled upon their quiyering knees; and if
heaven was twice as big as It is, it could
not have held saints enough for those var
lets to petition"
"You were nearly al Spsnirds?"
"Ay-the worst class of men a ship
could enter these seas with. But for our
calling they are the fittest of all the ma
tons in the world; better even than the
Portuguese, and with trusr trade insticts
than the trained mulatto-Bimbler artists
in roguery than ever a one of them. ! de-
spise their superstition, but they are the
better pirates for it. They carry it as q
man might feather bed; it enables them
10 fall soft. "D'ye take me?" He gave
one Of his short, loud laughs, and said, 81
hope this slope won't increase. The angles
stiff enough as il is. Twill be like living
on the roof of house. i have q mind to
see how she les. What dye say, Mr..
Rodney? Shall venture into the opsn?"
''why notp" said 1. "You can move
briskly. You have as much life IS ever
you had"
Lets 60, tbenp he exclaimed, and
climbing the ladder he pushed open the
companionwsy door and stepped on to the
deck. 1 followed with but little solicit
tude, as you may suppose, as to what
might attend his exposure. The blast of
the gale, though it was broken into down.
ward, eddying dartings by the rocks, inside
him bawl out with the sting of il, and for
some moments he could think of nothing
but the cold, stamping the deck in his
boots and beating his hands.
"Haw cried be, grinnipg to the smart
of bis cheeks, "this is not the cook room,
eh? Great thunder! Jon will not have it
that this ice has been drifting north?
Why, man, tits icier by 20 degrees than
when we were first locked up"
II hope not" said I, ''and think not.
Your blood doesn't course strong yet. and
you are fresh from the furnace. Besides it
is blowing q bitter cold gale. Look at that
sky, and listen to the thunder Of the seal"
The commotion was indeed terribly MP
roarious. The rendipg noises of the ice in
all directions were distinct and fearful
The Frenchman looked about him with
CONSERVATION, and to my surprise crossed
himself.
May the blessed Virgin preserve rs p
he said. do you say We have drifted
north? If this is not the very heat of the
South Pole, you shall pursusde me we are
on the equator"
st cannot storm too terribly for rs, as
you Just now said" he replied. 81 want
this island 10 60 to pieces"
As said this solid pillar of ice Just
beyond the brow of the hill on the star
board side was dislodged or blown down;
Il fell with mighty crash, and filed the
air with crystal spliuters. Tssssrd started
back with q faint cry Of "Ben Dieu!"
"Judge for yourself how the ship lies"
said /: this Is freezing work"
he went aft and looked over the stern.
then walked to the larboard rail and
peered over the side.
HIs there ice beyond that openine?" ne
ssked, pointing over the tafrail.
s'No." answered; shat goes to the sea.
There is low cliff beyond. Mark that
cloud of white; IL is the spray hurled
sthwart the mouth of this hollow"
''Good," he mumblsd, with his teeth