Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-05-13

gulf, and were Immediately surround
ed by shore boats full of negroes, and
Mexican Indians, and half-bloods, sell.
ing fruit and vegetables, and Offering
to dive for bits of money. The sight of
so many good-humored faces especial
ly the blacks), the taste of the tropical
fruits, and above all, the lights that be-
gan to shine in the town, made a most
charming contrast to our dark and
bloody sojourn on the island; and the
doctor and the squire, taking me along
with them, went ashore to pass the
early part of the night. Here they met
the captain of an English man-of-war,
fell in talk with him, went on board
his ship, and, in short, had so agreeable
time that day was breaking when we
came alongside the "Hispaniola."
Ben Gum was on deck alone, and, as
soon as we came on board, he began,
with wonderful contortions, to make US
o confession. Silver was gone. The
maroon and connived at his escape in
shore boat some hours ago, and he now
assured us he had only done SO to pre-
serve our lives, which would certainly
have been forfeited if that man with
the one leg had stayed aboard" But this
was not all. The sea cook had not gone
empty handed. He had cut through o
bulkhead unobserved, and had removed
one of the sacks of coin, worth, per-
haps, three or four hundred guineas,
to help him on his further wanderings.
1 think we were all pleased to be SO
cheaply quit of him.
! Well, to make long story short, we
got few hands on board, made a good
cruise home, and the "Hispaniola"
reached Bristol just as Mr.. Blandly was
beginning to think of fitting out her
consort. Five men only of those who
had sailed returned with her. Drink
and the devil had done for the rest
with vengeance; although, to be sure,
we were not quite in so bad case as
that other ship they sung about:
with one man of the crew alive,
What put to sea with seventy-fve."
All Of US had an ample share of the
treasure, and used 1t wisely OF foolish
ly, according to our natures. Capt.
1 Smollet is now retired from the sea.
Gray not only saved his money, but,
being suddenly smit with the desire
to rise, also studied his profession; and
he is now mate and part owner of fine
full-rigged ship; married besides, and
the father of family. AS for Ben Gum,
he got 1000, which he spent or lost
In three weeks, or, to be more exact,
in 10 days, for he was back begging on
the twentieth. Then he was given a
lodge to keep, exactly as he had Jared
upon the island; and he still lives, a
great favorite, though something of a
butt, with the country boys. and nota-
BILE singer in church on Sundays and
saints days.
OF Silver we have heard no more
That formidable seafaring man with
one leg has at last gone clean out of my
life; but dare say he met his old
negress, and perhaps still lives in com
fort with her and Capt. Flint. It is
to be hoped so, 1 suppose, for his
chances of comfort in another world
are very small.
The bar. silver and the arms still lie
for all that know, where Flint buried
them; and certainly they shall lie there
for me. Oxen and wain-ropes would
not bring me back again to that &c
cursed island; and the worst dream:
that ever l have are when hear TIL,
surf booming about its coasts, or star
upright in bed, with the sharp voice O
Capt. Flint still ringing in my ears
pieces of eight! pieces of eight"
THE END.