The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-12-27
A LOST TREASURE.
BY WILL LIsENREE.


NV life had been one of disaster and
misfortune. Disaster had overtaken
every enterprise in which l had en-
gagged, and when at last the Golden
i:eam went down in the Gulf of Haul
rahi, off the coast of New Zealand, l
barely missed a watery grave, for a
storm was raging, and only a few of
the crew were able to escape in the
boats.
A few days later found myself in
Auckland, penniless. Such condition
is deplorable enough in any case, but
when in a foreign country, with thou
sands of miles of sea lying between you
and your friends or relatives, it is
doubly so.
By doing odd jobs about the docks'I
managed to earn enough to pay for my
board and lodging in a miserable hovel,
hoping every day that | might obtain
a berth in one of the many vessels that
came to the port.
In America ill-luck had come upon
me, and my star of misfortune fol
lowed me to the antipodes, though
there was time when fortune seemed
smiling upon me. This time was SO
brief, however, as to seem like dream
as looked back upon it.
Doc milford and had left the Petrol
al Melbourne, and had fled to the gold
fields. Three months later we returned
with fortune of $4,000 in gold mug
gets and cash.
What dreams were oursl What rosy
anticipations filled our brains as we
laid plans for a speedy return to Amer
ical
The misfortune came. 1t was all
Docs fault. think he would own that
it was were you to ask him to-day. An
honest, generous fellow was he, but too
fond of rum, of gambling and of low
company. That was how we came to
stop at the Sailors inn in the place of
some more respectable place, and that
is how we came to be robbed of our
treasure by band of strange sailors
pals of the landlord-who entered the
inn late at night.
We could gain no trace of the thieves,
and after knocking about the city for
a week l lost sight of Doc. Soon after
| secured a berth on the Golden Beam
the Inflated vessel that went down in
the Haurahi gulf and stranded me
without farthing in Auckland.
had little hope of coming upon
anything that would help me up in the
world again, and l am quite sure
would have hailed as godsend even
the poor opportunity of working my
passage back to America.
But ill-luck seemed to follow me,
ind l was seriously contemplating
throwing myself into the bay when
ran onto Capt. Wilkins, the owner of a
small schooner. rough but generous
soul, whom l had met in Melbourne
some time before.
II cannot give you berth just now,'
he said, when had told him of my I'M
happy situation, but. I'll see that you
don't want till something better turns
up. l can give you job for a few
may not be desirable, but it will be
easy and the pay not so small. You
see, as was coming into port with my
schooner yesterday, picked up an old
wreck of ship called the Sea Bird,
q few leagues out. She was badly dam
aged and had been abandoned by her
crew. Nota soul was found aboard her,
and seeing that her cargo was worth
something, brought her into port. She
will be unloaded in few days-as soon
as the authorities can give the matter
attention-and shall receive my share
Of the salvage. Meantime, want some
trusty person to stay aboard her, and
II you'll take the job Ill take you
aboard as soon as we can have supper.
It's bit lonesome out there all by your
self on the old hulk, but I'll drop around
and see you every day."
1t is hardly necessary to say that l
gladly accepted the situation, and aft
&c partaking Of hearty meal at the
captains hotel was rowed out and
placed aboard the Sea Bird.
She was most awkward and lubber-
Unlocking craft, of not more than 60
tons, unlike any had ever seen; sort
OF mixture of Japanese and English
In her build, and painted of dull,
leaden color. Her cabins were small
and dingy, but furnished with more
expense than taste.
After selecting my berth, l spent a
pleasant half hour with the captain on
deck. Then bringing o supply of pro-
visions, tobacco and some brandy from
the boat, he took his leave, promising
to call on the following day.
The sun had gone down by this time,
and darkness soon fell over the bay.
sat in the deck smoking for an hour,
then went to my cabin and threw N.Y.
self into my bunk.
fell asleep soon after. It was far
into the after part of the night when |
awoke suddenly. Something had
awakened me, though could not tell
just what it was.
Thoughts of thieves flashed through
my mind. and, getting up i threw on
my clothes hurriedly. Then taking the
pistol which the captain had given me,
lopened the door cautiously and peered
out. Icould see nothing. Passing out,
went onto the deck. The moon was
shining brightly, but no sign Of the
cause of my disturbance was visible.
AS ] stood listening intently, slight