The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-12-19

us L TeCORu1ZeU Jn0 Ie6UufeS Oh my
former partner in the gold fields.
"Doc Mulfordl Can 1t be possible?"
I cried.
He sank down upon the deck, weak
and exhausted.
"Yes, it's I, Jim; what is left of me-"
he said.
"What does this mean? Where did
you come from?" 1 asked, kneeling by
his side and taking his hand in mine.
"Down in that miserable hole" he
answered, pointing to the main hatch
way. "For three weeks 1 have lain in
there sick, almost senseless, chokedby
the foul odors of the bilge water. But
where are the others-the crew."
He half raised himself, then sank
back and became unconscious.
carried him into my cabin, and fore
ing some brandy between his lips I sat
down by his side to await for his recov-
cry.
He soon revived, and after drinking
some broth which I prepared for him,
he fell asleep. The next morning he
was able to sit up and tell me the story
of his adventures since we last met.
"When found that our fortune, for
which we had struggled so hard IN the
gold fields, was gone, with no chance of
recovery, felt as if could never have
the heart to make another effort. I
cared little what became of me, and for
week l hung about the drinking
houses, stupefying myself with rum.
But 1 soon saw that this would not do,
fool as was, and l began to look about
for new berth. But as luck would
have it, could find no vessel in need of
seamen. I grew desperate; and one
day as was knocking about the docks,
1 went aboard the Sea Bird, which was
taking on her cargo, determined to
work my passage to some other port, if
I could do so. The Sea Bird, learned,
was bound to the West Indies, and 1
would make any sacrifice to go in her.
"a Spaniard who had been superin-
tending the loading of the cargo
novel me aside as l mentioned taking
passage in the vessel; and when asked
for the captain he swore bitter oath,
and told me could not see him.
II left the ship, but two hours later I
returned. There was no one visible on
the deck. The loading was completed,
but the main hatchway was still open;
and having made up my mind to stow
myself aboard the ship, 1 boldly crossed
the plank. A moment later caught
the rope that was still dangling over
the hatchway, and let myself into the
hold. I soon found a place of conceal
lnent behind the pile of boxes, and into
my retreat I carried a cask of water
and some provisions which I found
among the cargo.
Meantime, the hatchway had been
closed, but late at night it vas opened,
and some sailors descended carrying a
number of heavy bags, which they con-
cealed under the cargo.
swell, you may well believe that I
was greatly surprised to find, when the
sailors had gone, that the bags they had
brought her nothing less than the bags
of gold we had lost at the Sailors Inn.'
"Upon making this startling discov-
cry would have gone ashore and had
the vessel detained till the treasure
could be recovered, but before could
do SO I felt the rocking of the Sea Bird,
which told me that she was already un-
der way.
II had formed no plan of action, nor
did have time to do so :ill a deathly
sickness seized me--a taking hold upon
my system of that dreadful malarial
fever so common in parts of Austrclia.
"For days and days was only con-
scious at intervals, and what took pla ce
is all confused tumble in my brain.
have a dim remembrance of a terrible
storm, a dreadful tossing of the ship,
and the awful crushing of tirlbers over
head as the mast went down.
"While the storm was still raging
three sailors-villainous looking Span
iards-entered the hold with lantern
and came to the spot where the bags of
gold had been concealed. I believed
from what overheard-for know a
little Spanish-that they were about to
abandon the disabled vessel and had
come to take the treasure along.
II made no effort to conceal myself
as they came upon me, but leaned back
against the wall of boxes, weak and
hardly abYe to move.
"When the foremost Spaniard's eyes
fell upon me he stopped shortly and his
countenance became a sickly ashy hue.
am quite sure he recognized me, for
J. recognized him as one of the sailors
who had robbed us at the inn. Hemust
have taken me for the ghost of his vic
tim, for he uttered a cry of mortal ter
ror and fed. his frightened companions
following close upon his heels. Wheth-
er 1t was from terror or from the be-
lief that the ship would soon founder,
I know not, but they must have aban-
doned the vessel soon after.
81 know little of what followed, for
there was long period in which was
only half conscious. When at last
came to myself / found the ship an
chored in port and the crew gone.
II came on deck tonight hoping to be
able to make my escape, but when saw
you approaching mistook you for one
of the Spaniards and resolved to sell
my life as dearly as possible. But thank
Heaven we recognized each other, old
fo1loxx, haf % al ar,e