Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10


ed plundering and that the captain in an
attempt to preserve discipline had struck
him down with q Ratchet some other
heavy weapon. 1t seemed more probable
than any other explanation, and yet it
did not entirely satisfy me either. But
| the ocean is full Of mysteries, and We were
content to leave the fate of the dead sea-
man of the Brazilian brig to be added to
that long list which every sailor can re-
call
The heavy box was slung up by ropes
| on to the deck of the Mary Sinclair, and
was carried by four seamen into the cabin,
where. between the table and the after
lockers, there was just space for it to
} stand. There 1t remained during supper,
and after that meal the mates remained
with me and discussed over glass of grog
the event of the day. Mr.. Armstrong was
long, thin, vulture-like man. an excellent
seaman, but famous for his nearness and
eupidity. Our treasure trove had excited
him greatly. end already he had begun,
with glistening eyes, to reckon up how
much it might be " orth to each of us when
the shares Of the salvage came to be di-
vided.
If the paper said that they were unique.
Capt. Barclay, then they may be worth
anything that you may like to name. You
wouldn't believe the sums that the rich
ing to them. Well have something to show
for our voyage. or I am mistaken"
Il don't think that" said l. LAS far as
1 can see they are not very different from
well, sir I've traded there for fourteen
voyages, and I have never seen anything
like that chest before. That's worth
pile Of money just as it stands. But it's
thing valuable inside it, Don't you think
that we ought to open it and see?'
II you break it open you will spoil 1t,
as likely as not" said the second mate.
q. Armstrong sQuatted down in front of 1t,
with his head on one side and his long,
thin nose within a few inches Of the lock-
THE wood is oak" said he, land it has
shrunk little with age If had chisel
a strong-bladed knife I could force the
ALL
The mention of the long-bladed knife
made me think Of the dead seaman upon
the brig.
Il wonder if he could have been on the
JOB when some one came to interfere with
him. l said.
Il don't know about that, sir, but I am
perfectly certain that could open the box
There's screwdriver here in the locker.
Just hold the lamp, Allardyce, and I'll have
1t done in brace of shakes"
Wait a Bit" said 1. for already, with
eyes which cleaned with curiosity and
with avarice, he was STOPPING over the lid
II don't see that there is any hurry over
warns Us not to open it. 1t may mean
anything or 1t may mean nothing, but
somehow I feel inclined to obey it, After
all; whatever is in it will keep, and If it is
/
opened in the owners offices as in the cabin
of the Mary Sinclair
The first officer seemed bitterly disap-
pointed at my decision.
Surely, sir, you are not s,1perstitious
about 1t, said he with a slight sheer upon
his thin lips. eff it gets out of our own
hands and we don't see for ourselves what
ii li,siue IL we may be done out of our
That's enough. Mr.. Armstrong" said l.
abruptly. You may have every conf
dence that you will get your rights, but 1
Will NOT have that box opened tonight"
why, the label itself shows that the box
mas been examined by Europeans" Altar
oyce ADDED. Because a box is a treasure
ooS is no reason that it has treasures in
a peep into 1t Stree the days of the old
governor of Terra Firma"
Armstrong threw the screwdriyer down
upon the table and shrugged his shoulders
Just as you like" said he, but for the
rest OF the evening. although we spoke up
en- many subjects, 1 noticed that his ewes
were continually coming round with the
same expression of curiosity and greed to
the Old striped box.
And now I come to that portion NJ NV
story which fills me even now with a shud.
dering horror when l think of it. The main
capln mad the rooms Of the officers round
w. w. pqt mime was the furthest away from
10 the companion. No regular watch was
Kept by me, except In cases of emergency.
ana the tt rec mates divided them among
mem mem armstrong had the middle watch,
Wh1ch ends at In the morning, and he
was relieved by Allardyce. For my part /
have always been one Of the soundest OF
sieepers and 1t IL rare for anything less
than a hand upon my shoulder to arouse
me.
And yet I was aroused that night. or
rather In the early gray of the morning.
1t was just 4:8O by my thermometer when
something caused me to sit up in my berth
Al
1t was sc und of some sort, crash with
human cry at the end of 1t, which still
Jared upon my ears. I sat listening but
all was now silent And yet II could NOT
have been Imagination, that hideous cry.
for the echo Of 1t still rang in my head,
and 1t seemed to have come from some
place quite close to me. I sprang from my
bunk. and pulling on some clothes, I made
my way into the cabin.
AT first l saw nothing unusual there. In
the cold gray light l made out the red
clothed clothed table table the six rotating chairs. the
walnut lockers, the swinging barometer
and there at the end the big striped chest
was turning away with the intention OF
going upor deck and asking the second
eyes fell suddenly upon something which
projected from under the table. 1t was the
leg OF man, leg with a long sea boot
upon it. I stopped. and there was a figure
sprawling upon his face, his arms thrown
forward and his body twisted. One glance
told me that 1t was Armstrong, the first
off1cer, and g. second that he was a dead
man. For few n cments I stood gasping.
Then r, shed on to the deck, called Al
lardyce to my assistance, and came back
with him into the cabin.
Together we pulled the unfortunate fell
low from under the table, and as we look
ed at his dripping head we exchanged
glances, and 1 do not know which was
the paler of the two.
The same as the Spanish sailor" said 1.
THE Very same. God preserve US! It's
that internal chest! Look at Armstrong;
handp
He held up the mates right hand, ana
there was the screwdriver which he had
wished to use the night before.
Hes been at the chest, sir He knew
that Yves on deck and you asleep. He
knelt down in front Of 1t and he pushed
the lock beck with that tool. Then some
thing happened to him and he cried out
SO that you heard him.
"Allardyce." I whispered. what could
have happened to him?'
The second mate put his hand upon my
sleeve and drew me into his cabin.
1--WE can talk here, sir, and we don't
know who may be listening to us in there
What do you suppose Is in that box, Capt.
Barclay?'
Il give you my word. Allardyce, that I
have no idea"
We'll. 1 can only find one theory which
Will ft all the facts. Look at the size of
i, No.