The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1893-12-21
for a few days with Uncle Sol Max.

laying plans for his future actions,
Jack, dressed according to his work,
accompanied Uncle Sol down to the
harbor in his trips to procure the
fresh fish with which Uncle Sol sup
piled the hotels, just then full of
visitors.
Bradford, or Brad, Relchers had at
ono, taken possession of the Spray,
and it was the sight of the young
man in a flannel b%oating-suit steer
ing the swiftly approaching boat, in
which was a gay party. that called
the quick frOwn to Jacks face.
"He's trying to show off his boat
sailing" said the skipper, contempt
uously, as, at the sight of the small
boat, Brad hauled his wind and
headed directly for them.
"Say, you two fellows, got any fish
to sell?" shouted Brad, in his most
patronizing tone and as soon
as the Spray came with n hail Of
them.
Jack bit his lip without replying.
Suddenly old Maxwell sprang to his
feet.
"Luff-luff, you laundering fool
do you want to run us dOwn?" he
roar d.
But thu warning came too late.
The catboat's sharp stem crashed
through the side of the smaller skiff,
whose occupants managed to scram-
BILE aboard the Spray, amid a chorus
Of screams from the young ladies OF
the party.
"lll be ever with you yet for sink
ing my boat, young fellow" wrath
fully exclaimed Uncle Sol, turning to
Brad, who looked rather ashamed for
a moment.
why didn't you keep your old
boat out Of the way" growled Brad.
Jacks eyes flashed with ind gna-
ton, but nothing more was said or
done t II the Spray arrived at the
wharf.
The loss of his boat was a serious
matter for Uncle Sol. And it was in
vain that he applied to Brad's father
for redress. MI. Belchers would not
even listen to him.
"Now's the time some of Cap'n
X DDS buried gold would come in
handy, eh, Jack?" remarked the old
man, ruefullN, on the following
evening, as the two sat IN the
little porch in front of the house,
looking out over the harbor and the
sea. which were bathed in the sheen
OF moonlight.
"Some of the old S uire's would.
too" remarked Jack, who was feel
ing very heavy hearted.
1t was not alone the loss of the
fortune which should have been his.
He had felt a deep affection for eccen-
trio Squire Belchers, and t hurt Jack
more than he cared to W that his
adopted father had left no word or
message even to show that he re-
turned his regard.
Uncle Sol made no answer. Like
many of his kind he was inclined to
superstition. 1t was the full of the
moon, and according to an old legend
l. was at such a time that the marks
on Kidd's Ledge, locating the place
where a pot Of gold was buried. was
visible.
The skipper was thinking of this
as, making some careless excuse, he
rose, and strolling down to the shore
took his way among the shadows Of
the beetling lodges leaving Jack
plunged in gloomy meditations.
Just before reaching Kidd'S Ledge.
which was said TO be marked by three
crosses cut in the stone a murmur of
voices reached his ear. Stopping and
crouching low in the shadow OF a
great bowlder, Uncle Sol peered eau
tiously out. Two persons, whose
backs were toward him. were bend
ing over the sand at the foot Of
Kidd's Ledge apparently digging
with all their might at the base Of
the lock.
by the big horn spoon. some
body's found the place where the
treasures buried aud is digging for
it," muttered the old skipper, ex-
citedlY.
The evening was calm and still,
with only the gentle swaSh of the
sea waves on the beach to break the
silence. HeSitating a moment,
CuClc oOl oUOlC dlV1S w uHO iuiOhOi
side Of Kiid's LeIge and softly
climbed upward till ne reached the
top. Then worming himself along to
the edge he peeped over.
What possessed you to run such a
tremendous risk, Bradtord?" were
the first ineligible words that
reached the shippers ear.
mo great risk about it," coolly re-
turned the other. NO one knew
that Uncle Josh had made a will, and
as l happened to find it in the tin
trunk with some other papers. l
slipped it away and buried it here"
"Why here?:" asked Mr.. Belchers,
who did not seem S 10 much shocked as
might have been expected.
Il knew the house would be ram