The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-21

sailed for Cocos, with Mrs. Brennan,
Captain Fred Hackett. and a crew OF
eight men aboard. Storms blew them
about, and even after they sighted the
Island it was days before they could land
At last the Aurora was anchored, and a
small boat with Mrs. Brennan in the
bow put in 70 the shore.
She was the first to set foot upon the
| beach, but hardly had the prov graf &.
when ther ran out from the woods a
great ape-like creatre that threw itself
| down upon the ground, and cried out
piteously with a human voice. Guns were
raised and pointed, but Captain Hackett
| ordered Lis men not to shoot, and hailed
the aparition.
who are you and how came you
| here?"
Charles Hartford" sad the creature
! IN strained voice. half lifting its head.
'For Gods sake take me away"
How did you get here?" shouted half
a dozen Of the men at once, but the man
| did not answer. Coming forward tim
idly he felt the hands and clothes Of the
men, then threw himself prone again,
| and was taken by spasm of sobbing
| Slowly speech returned to him, as long
| forgotten habit, and he told them brok-
| emily terrible story.
The Costa Rican gunboat Turalba had
| landed HIM there in September last to
hunt for the treasure, with understand
| ing it was 70 return in three months af-
ter him. II he found the treasure the
government was to take certain per-
centage and he was TO have the rest.
They had given him tools and provisions,
but they had not come back. and after
three months, which he cut day by day
in tree that served as his calendar, he
gave way to despair and lost his count
Of time. He was all but naked and his
skin was brown and callousedl from ex-
posure.
I've found tine treasure" ne sad at
ia all mine; I found it,
The expedition people thought him mad
but when he had been fed and had slept
he talked nationally enough, always
sticking to his story Of finding the treas
ure, however.
"My chart was the right one" hesaid,
L,
and bars of it. enough to make a hun
dred men rich. But nobody else could
And it. Then came the waiting for the
boat to come back. It never came. I
lived on shellfish and Wild berries and
birds that killed with stones; years and
years and years. What is the date?"
Somebody told him the month and day.
WHAT year," he asked, and they told
him 1897.
That's a lie" he cried. Its more
than 81; / came here in 'a6, and I've
been here how many years don't know
Never human being came. But I
found the gold.
FOR weeks and months the expedition
sought the cache. following the chart
that Mrs. Brennan had, but without re-
suit. Charles Hartford went along. Of
fering no suggestions, but Laughing quiet
iy to himself. After this mad been going
on until hope had about died out he
spoke up one evening as the party sat
about the fire.
You folks have treated me right. The
treasures mine. found 1t, and the Tu-
ralba never came back for me. There's !
enough treasure for all Of US, but you'll |
never find il, because your chart is |
wrong, and you can't find my marks that |
I've marked il by. I'll make a bargain |
with you. VIII you stand by it?"
Speak ii out" said Captain Hackett, |
"and We'll decide"
''This way then. You sign a paper, all |
Of you. saying that If show you it 1 |
take hat and you divide the other half. |
SO help You God"
Voices were raised in discussion, and |
while the argument was in progress
Hartford. who had forgotten how TO han
die a pencil, dictated the agreement 10
one Of the men.
To this seven Of the crew Willingly
signed their names. One held out with
Mrs. Brennan and Captain Hackett. The
others tried TO pursuade the Captain, but
in vain.
''No, by God" ne said. the treasure
is on the island. We know that much |
and that's enough. Who wants half Of
Il? You can go back Hartford, bu, you
can't make any split with me-"
There was a party OF Germans came
here before 1 came" said Hartford CUT
stiy. They dug for gold Some went
1ld1. they say, ana jumped lllte l.le sea
Some starved. l can show you their
skeletons. but they didn't find the treas
IRE. I found It. and nobody Else ever
81, because the only true chart is de
stroyed''
We'll try, anyway" said Captain
Racket.
SO Two OF the expedition staid AMI the !
-es: came home. Hartford, VINO lives n
Rockford. IL. telegraphed Immediately !
ipon MS arrival 10 HE friends IN san |
Francisco. who, he says. viii star; an ex-
petition Immediately. He is not worried
ibou, the Two men VINO have been IF
ipon the island. for he says the treasure !
: so hidden tina: no man without the
ne chart could ever find IL
ENDEAyOREKS A LITTLE AHEAD