Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-10-07

my cnaracter as inning HlanageF, ana
with it's covers encused in gray calico.
I had joined the ship at the decks to
avoid the crash at Waterloo, and to see
the mouth of the Thames. There were
two other men in my cabin, for the
ship was full, every berth being taken,
but they had not yet come on board,
SO I arranged my belongings at leis-
ure, and then went on deck as we left
the dock to smoke and view the river
and the miles of wharves and shipping
rs we slowly and majcstically steamed
out to sea. The ship was nearly empty,
and passed quiet "a hours anticipat-
ing the coming duel which was to take
place, and wondering if the simple
scheme would be successful.
The mailbags and passengers came
on board at Plymouth, and scene Of
animation and confusion followed; but
a rough sea and hcadwind claimed the
exuberance of many Of the company,
and the dinner tables in the saloon that
evening showed an abundance Of empty
seats. Both my cabin mates sue
cumbed, and I left them white and
grooming. Fortunately, 1 was good
sailor; and, having enjoyed my dinner,
later in the evening found myself in
the smoking-room smoking one of Glib
sons cigars, and engaged in chat with
that worthy, who was most friendly
and evinced some curiosity about my
self.
I told my tale. which he accepted
with perhaps suspicious readiness.
Employed by firing, are you? Pep
perry fellow; 1 know hila well. We
used to be friends; now he hates me like
poison"
He introduced me to his friends,
Spellman, Dunbarton and Vandermit,
who severally expressed themselves de-
lighted to make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my ad-
versaries only siiirmished, trying to
pump me, and dropped broad hints as
to the advantages which would follow
if 1 joined them-hints which ignored.
AS, however, they felt pretty sure that
I was the bearer of the coveted map, my
portmanteaus and my spare clothes
were searched more than once when |
was absent from my cabin. twas Spell
man who was toled off for this portion
of the quest; finding was not very
cordial towards him, he struck up
friendship with one Of my cabin mates,
which gave him an excuse fer entering
at all hours. I did not think it advisa-
bic to enlighten the latter, as my atti-
tude was to blandly ignore my adver-
saries' behavior.
Spellman's researches proving of no
avail, the great endeavor to discover if
l had the paper took place about week
after Madeira was passed. was play
ing a whist tournament, and noticed
that Dunbarton and Vandernit were
playing nap with the two men who
shared my cabin. l guessed that SPELL
man was making thorough search, and
as soon as l was through l hurried
there.
1t had indeed been thorough. Every
article had been taken out OF the port
manteaus and examined, and the port
manteaus themselves cut and hacked
in search of a secret hiding place.
Everything had been scrutinized; even
the gray calico cover pulled off Lock"
10 make sure that nothing was between
L and the binding. Nor was this all,
for while 1 surveyed the wreck, l be-
came conscious Of an oyerpowerlng feel
ing of drowsiness, and knowledge came
10 me that l had been drugged. Too
late remembered having just accepted
q drink from Gibson; but had only
sense enough left to tumble into my
bunk before falling into heavy sleep.
They no doubt searched me to. the
skin that night, for slept as the dead;
out though [ woke next morning with
| bad headache, felt wei! pleased, for
no result had awarded their toll. OF
course I made fuss as to the conduct
of some mysterious thieves, who had
not even spared the lining Of my boots,
and certain inquiries were instituted
which came to nothing. ! innocenuy
complained TO Gibson as to the bad
quality of his whisky, and there APP
parently the matter ended, for was
10 more.
l felt that had won, as saw by my
enemies manner that they had decided
they were mistaken in imagining had
the map; but great cautiousness was
still necessary till the journeys end.
Never crow before you are out of the
wood is an excellent piece of advice.
Still, feeling that the worst was over, a
sense of calm possessed me as lounged
in my Medeira chair. under the shade
If the awning, for the tropical sun was
,ery sultry, and made iced drinks a
necessity instead of luxury.
Gibson continued good friends with
ne, and often came and chatted as I
studied Lock on Gold" in my
lcck chair. AS a practical mineralo-
,ist, he pointed out the best parts to
tudy, and I imbued much information
enough had I designed to turn
miner. He was an amusing man, and
lis creed simple enough-"Get money,
if you can; but get money"
\ more efficient auctioneer for selling
he numbers of the ships run in the
laily sweeps it would be impossible to
ind, and enjoyed the privilege of act
ng auctioneer's clerk with Lock" for
desk on my knee.
twas four o'clock on a Tuesday after
loon when we reached Capetown, and
Gibson managed to get away by that
vening's train, leaving two of his fol-
overs to bring his luggage on the next
ay.
The third morning after landing
ound me in Fox street, johannesburg,
eeking Towards Office. 1 had just
cen the name on the window, and had
scended the steps to the door of the
uiiding when passer-by pulled up
n recognizing me. 1t was Gibson.
"Hullo!" he said; where are you
fl to now?"