Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-10
"Yox are uoax,. old self.n

Well, need not detain you by reciting all the civilities and congratulations which he and l exchanged. He and Wilkinson had arrived at Deal at o'clock that afternoon, and after a hurried meal had hired a lugger and started at once for Beachy Head. Itwas now o'clock in the morning; and what l may consider a truly extraordinary circum- stance is, that they had sailed as true course for the schooner as if she had lain plain to the gaze at the very start; that since the night had drawn down they had met no vessel of any kind or description until they came up to us; that in all probability they would have run stem on into us if they had not seen our lights, and that their seeing our lights had caused them to hail us, their ''Ship ahoy!" being instantly answered by Crom- we'll.
 "Well," said I, ''there are stranger things to tell of than this, even. Now, Wilkinson, and you, Billy and Cromwell, get us good supper and mix a proper bowl. How many more of you are in the lugger?'
 'Four, sir" said one of the boatmen.
 ''Then fetch as many as may safely leave the boat," said I. Billy, get candles and make a good light here. Throw on coal, boys; there's enough to carry us home.'
 saw Mason gazing curiously about him.
 ''Tis like tale out of the Arabian Nights Paul." he exclaimed.
 "Ay," said I, sbut written in bitter prose, and no hint of enchantment anywhere. But, thank God, you are come! have passed dismal time of expectation, promise you" I added, softly, "I have something secret; we will sup first; man, shall amaze you! We must talk apart presently"
 He bowed his head.
 Three more boatmen arrived, giving us the company of five of them. Soon there was hearty sound of frying and smell of good things upon the air. Pitt put plates and glasses upon the cabin table, two great bowls of punch were brewed, and in little time we had all fallen to. Whispered Wilkinson, who sat next me: "These boatmen know nothing of our business; shall have to take MT. Mason apart and arrange with him. These fellows may not be fit for our service. Let no hint escape you"
 "Right, sir," said he.
 This I said to disarm his suspicious should he see me talking alone with MT. 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, I gave them the story of my shipwreck, and told how had met with the schooner and how had man. aged to escape with her.
 'And now, Mason," said I, "while our friends here empty these bowls, come you with me to the cook room" And with that we quilted the cabin.
 Dye mean to tell me, Paul." was the first question my relative asked, ''that this vessel was on the ice eight-and-fo years?'
 "Yes," replied.
 sSurely you dream?' ''I think not"
 "What we have been eating and drinking, is that forty eight years old, toos'
 "Ay, and older"
 "Well, such thing shall make me credu- lous enough to duck old women for witches. But what brandy-what brandy Never had l spirit such bouquet. Every pint is worth it's weight in guineas to ricn man. To think | of Deal boatmen and niggers 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 G9O, ,000 to G1OO, O,O0O."
 His jaw fell. He stared as if he knew not l whether it was he or that was mad. ''Here is evidence that speak the truth, ' said I. "A little sample only-but look at itr' And I 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 faintly: "You found some of the pirates alive?' 1 'No."
 "Who told you that the people of the yes sel valued their plunder at that amount?"
 answered by giving him the story of the recovery of the Frenchman. He listened with a gaze of consternation I saw how it was; he believed my sufferings had affected my reason. There was only one way to settle his mind; took lantern, an6 asked him to follow me. As we passed through the cabin whispered to Wilkinson that meant to show my relative the laline below, and bade him keep the Deal men about
 TO BE CONTINUED.