The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-06
THE TREASURE SHIP.

schooner, the Jane, which lay anchored
that fine moonlight night as Port Bodega,
Cal. The Jane was but SINAI! vessel, but
it had on board treasure in the shape OF
gold dust worth over e12, 900, and the
next morning had been fixed for its sailing
to London.
That night the captain had given his crew
leave to go ashore to spend a few hours in
jollity before commencing their honiewsrd
voyage They had not yet returned, and
the captain was on board alone, with
couple of sailors and the mate, to whom
he was speaking.
Saying that he would turn in, the cap
tnin went below, while the mate walked
the deck on the watch.
1t was about in the morning that two
boats set off from the shore, having in one
Of them and in the other IL men, and
IN tho darkncss-for the moon had now
set--wcre rowed off to the place where the
light of the Jane glimmered over the dark
water.
BOAT ahoyl Who are you?''
1t was the mate Of the Jane who sang
out as no leaned over the side of the vessel
and Eaw boat approach.
In answer there came what seemed some
words spoken as If by drunken man, and
thinking the men were the sailors returned
from their jaunt the mate saw tho boat
pulled to the side of the ship. He did not
notice that another boat had softly made
lentIy, and tho dull sough, of the waves
drowning the splash of their oars.
sis that Jenkinson?"
The mate was forward watching the
men in the boat. Hardly had he called out
before he heard a noise behind him, his
arms were grippcd, a hand was placed over
his mouth, while the butt end of pistol
came down with crash upon his hesd-
There was dull splash in the water 4 mo-
ment later. 1t was the body of the Inate
cast into its watery grave.
The Jane bad been boarded by robbers.
Stealing along like shadows-for tho men
had their feet bare-the thieves rushed
across the deck to the ladder leading below.
The lender, q tall man, with ! heavy.
black beard, whose face was almost lid
by piece of black cloth tied across tho
upper part, with two holes cut for him to
see through, grasped his pistol in his hand
as he prepared TO go below, while his fol-
lowers held long, cleaning knives in their
hands
-''If you struggle, you are dead man"
Captain Blake had been asleep and
started up light flashed upon his face,
and looking about him he saw man
standing beside him, one of his hands up
on his throat, while in the other he held a
pistol.
Two won't hurt you if you don't strug-
GLE said the robber. But we want the
gold you have on board. Give US the keys
of the chest, and I'll swear you shall be
safe. -
Resistance would be useless, and the
captain was lying ON the floor Of his
cabin bound hand and foot with strong
cord.
While these things were going on
board the Jane the creg of the vessel had
gathered together on the shore and had
put of in their boats to return to the ship.
They were astounded as they turned tho
quaysido to see the .Jano in the growing
daylight far of at sea, all sails set, and
making way before 4 good breeze at 4 rate
which forbade all hope of their ovortak-
ing her.
The sailors were some hours later than
they should have been IN seeking the YES
sci, and now they imagined Captain Blake
must somehow have got others to man her
and set off without them. They therefore
rowed blck to shore.
While some of the men who had boarded
the ship, many of whom had been sailors,
set tho sails and took her out to sea the
others were busy searching for the treasure.
No threats could mako the captain speak
a wcrd 30 where it lay, and leaFing
him the robbers began to look about for it.
"Hurrahr'
With axes in their hands, three or four
men were with fierce shouts breaking open
tho stout boarding at the head of the cap
tain's ca bin.
Behind II, as they peeped through gap
they had burst open, they found n dark
recess 1t was the place where the treas
ure lay.
They piled their axes furiously, the
board gave way, and the eyes OF the thieves
CLEANED with delight they saw before
them the pile of bags and small wooden
boxes in which was the gold for which
they had undertaken the desperate ven
ture, and the cabin rang with their wild
shout of joy.
''What is here will make US rich for life,
boys!" cried the leader. Its in our grasp
now. Let US drink to our good fortune''
And he ordered sc1Ee of the men to search
the ship for what liquor there was on
board.
4 cask of rum was soon found, md
knocking out the head of it the ruffians
drank to one another in glasses of the Gerry
spirit.
"And now to the boatsP'
Staggering under the weight of their
burdens, the men carried the boxes and
bags OF the precious gold to the side of the
ship and lowered them into the boats
alongside.
In short time all the treasure had been
laid in them, and the place where it had
been slowed in tho Jane stood empty
''Get ready to push of there" said the
black bearded man, looking over the YES
sells side, to his companions in the boats,
and as they gripped their oars and waited
for him he disappeared below.
He looked in at the cabin door and threw
glance at the captain lying there, still
bound hand and foot. Then no disappear
ed and made his way to the hold.
! s'.Now row for your livcsr'
The man took his place in one Of the
boats, and it Jew from the side OF thu
doomed vessel. 1t had not got far before
/ terrible sound rose over the noise of the
waves, and as il caught their ears the men
laid down their oars and locked toward
the vessel they had left.
A huge cloud of smoke hung over It, and
ferco flames shot from the rapidly burning
| schooner.