Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-04-27
CHAPTER MN.

's->-%-
clerical suit. with beaver hat on his
head and cane in his hand, was prom
enading along the docks of the Potomac
at Washington.
1t was fully four o'clock in the after
noon.
Its time the Fisher Boy was in"
he muttered. eff everything has gone
we'll she should be in tonight That
two-master below there looks like her.
well, I've got the information all
worked up; even got a job in the treas
ury. Blest if it wouldn't be wise
scheme in me to turn honest. I'm going
to do it, sure, for I see the end ahead,
and it's hemp rope. But I'll see this
haul out first, and the captain says he
proposes to divide the spoils and scat
ter. That suits me; it won't be small
sum there'll be to divide, especially if
we make this haul-no, sir! I'll slope
and hunt up the old woman again, join
the church and live honest. Humph!
I wonder if can, now? Can you do
it, Sandy, old boy?
"Now, remember phrenologer told
me one time that had great head for
forecasting. If can just forecast far
enough to quit this pirate business be-
fore it's day too late shall believe he
knew what he was talking about
Hanged if that amt the old craft
No other that l was ever aboard could
pillow through the water with the ease
that she does. She rides like feather.
Yes, there's pock-marked Bill ut the
tiller, and there's the captain. I'm
bound his black beard is slowed away
safe enough now. Why, he looks like
he was born on fishing smack. Most
of the crew are below deck.
Thunder! but it's big chances to
come in here, and congress this week
appropriated money to put two sloops
on the coast searching for him. Great
Caesar! look at the fish; whole deck
load, and there's the seines piled up
astern there. Bought the whole bust
ness of some fishing smack. Black
Boards keen one, he is. All, here she
comes, right in here"
The schooner swung into the dock
and three sailors jumped ashore. The
lines We're heaved and made fast,
number of fish peddlers' carts were
soon alongside and the mate was soon
selling fish by the cart load to supply
the good citizens of Washington.
'Is this the Fisher Boy?" asked our
clerical-loolsing friend, as he stepped
to the side of the schooner.
Certain! certain!" answered the cap
tain. Cant you see her name on the
stern? But what do you want,
dominy?"
81 desire to see the captain, am col
lecting money for the seamen's fund"
Come aboard, the Fisher Boy will
hardly send you away empty handed,
even if you have to carry fish. Go to
my cabin, and I'll soon be with you."
Sandy went aft, and descended to the
cabin, where lie was soon joined by the
captain.
well, Sandy, what luck?"
'N1r. Albert Bivens, if you please,
captain" said Sandy, with a bow. 81
am clerk in the treasury department
ut $40 month; my father, Rev. Peter
b. Bivens, was for many years mis-
sionary among the Indians, and they
killed the man who was trying to save
their souls. My father left n large
family, and died poor, so must support
and educate the younger ones"
"Wcll done, Sandy! well done! Did
the Indians eat the old man?"
''He was too poor for that, captain"
There's the grog. Sandy, take a swig
and tell me, is the plan laid!"
Laid to hair, captain! laid to a
hair!"
"Put your hand there, Sandy, my boy,
you never fall"
''Iou see, captain, once got the job,
I had everything easy; for was in tue
treasury all the time. The night watch
man at the treasury building carries a
key to the building; Third Assistant
Paynor carries the keys to the vaults,
know exactly where he lives, and
know exactly how to reach the vaults;
there is more gold there than we can
carry, with all our men,"
TOO bad, that, Sandy, but we'll do
our best to lessen the quantity, and this
is the last trip on this coast. We return
to the island-onc little job want the
crew to help me in, and every man shall
draw his share, and We'll sail for parts
unknown--are there sentinels in the
building?"
"There is the Waterman at the door,
who has the outer keys, and there's one
sentinel; they change guard every four
hours. The change is made at one
o'clock"
"Then after one o'clock we must do
our work."
When the clock struck one, the streets
of Washington We're deserted. especially
SO along the docks, where not soul
was stirring. Then it was that "a men,
every man aboard the Fisher Boy, but
Bow Legs. assembled to the deck, and
every man clad in the uniform of a
United States soldier.
Black Beard, minus his beard, in
the uniform of captain of the line.
and the mate in that of first lieutenant:
swords We're hanging at their sides.
and each soldier bore the regulation
musket of the army.
The night was pitchy dark, butSandy
had been over the route he was to lead
them every night for the past two
weeks, and knew to step where each
turn must be made.
Silently they descended to the wharf,
and in body marched with shouldered
muskets and q tolerably well regulated
step to the north end of the Treasury
building.
"Now, lieutenant" said the captain.
II will take four men and go for the
secretary and the vault keys. Manage
as have told you, and you will have no