The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-06-06
Tna RadI9na

Inc speaker was q heaYliY-Dullls
sinister-loolxingS man of thirty or
Whereabouts.
He leaned his elbow on the pine
table, and snutfed the candle, while
an ominous silence followed his re-
mark.
1t was an oddly grouped compa-
ny in an old retreat. Savage-look-
ing men of all nationalities, in un-
comfortable grotesque apartment
constructed under pier in New
York harbor.
Above could be heard the tramp,
tramp of those who swarmed around
the docks, and below the restless
tapping of the dark waters.
The aPirates' retreat" as they
had romantically named their mis-
cradle shelter, was made of old
planks and driftwood, and furnished
simply with boxes and kegs for seats
beside the pine table and tallow
candle before mentioned.
Three of the men had been en-
gagged in game of cards around
this table, at the conclusion of which
one of them made the opening re-
mark.
"What do you propose to DOR
asked the youngest of the three.
not over twenty.
"Its land game we're after to-
night. In fact, we want to crack a
crib-we three"
"Pm no burglar" asserted the
young man, raising haughtiIy. 1
joined you for little adventure
cruising around vessels and landing
smuggled supplies. You call your
selves pirates. The pirates 1 have
read of were at least brave, and at
tackled vessels in open warfare,
taking their chances like honest sol
diers, didn't hide like wharf rats,
never willing to face foe, but al
ways ready to stab in the back"
The countenance of the frstspeak-
er underwent a curious change dur
ing this speech, and at its close he
clapped his hands three times.
Instantly the hum of voices ceas-
ed, and twenty pairs of eyes regard
ed him expectantly.
"Men listen? Our young bantam
cock is trying to cackle, but we'll
have no chicken heart here. Har-
kee, youngster! you go with me
and Jim Hany tonight. Follow
my lead and do as l tell you, OF
we'll chuck you in the harbor with
this ere round your purity neck!"
He lifted, as he spoke, a heavy
iron chain, with a fifty pound
weight attached.
"You jined us to do as yer was
bid. Now, which will ye have?''
The young man looked at the evil
faces around him and knew he
dared not disobey.
"You leave me chance" he said
quietly reseating himself 81 will
obey orders"
"That sounds sensible-like," said
the first speaker, who was called
captain" replacing the weight in
the box on which he was sitting and
taking out lanturn. ats about
time to start, and I'll give you a
few pointers. It's an old chap as
counts his money by the thousands
counts it in a stone closet in the
celler, where he keeps it. He's
a miser of the first water, old an
bent, an sca'cely wuth knocken' in
the head. We're are all ready to
take the swag. We know whar it
is, an if the old chap stays sensibIy
in bed, thar'lI be little trouble. II
he don't, it's his lookout, not
ourn. Bein' asit's yer first venture,
Bill an NELL give you the soft snap
jest to stand out outside, keep an
eye for the cops and other interfer-
ers. Come on now it's time to
start"
Not another word was spoken
during the stealthy midnight march,
until they paused in front of an old
tenement house fronting the har-
Dor. "Here's the crib. All serenel
Stand there, youl Come on, Bill'
And the two disappeared, leav-
ing John Newcomb standing stifiy
against an old shed, that shielded
him from observation.
He saw one flash of the lantern
in the cellar, and then a white fig
ure leaped through the open win
dow, and would have disappeared,
but he sprang forward and caught
it in his arms.
There was weak sort of struggle,