Evening star., 1898-05-07

Mr.. Todd. who could probably drink more
whisky with less results than any man in
the pirate crew. declined the poison with 4
shiver of abhorrence. Then Mr.. Duncan,
who had listened thoughtfully said: You
speak of treasure; did they take it with
them?' -
Mr.. Todd opened wide his eyes, looked
toward the dark shades of the forest, then
at the three masts OF the bark sticking out
OF the water, and answered, impressively:
Gentlemen, they did not. They were in
tcxicated-mad with liquor. They took
arms and knapsack of food to each man
they spoke Of an inland retreat to which
they were gcing-but the treasure from the
passenger ship-the bars of gold and the
bags of diamonds-they forgot. They trans
ferred 1t from their sinking vessel when
sober. but when intoxicated they remem-
bered food and left it behind. Gentlemen,
there is untold wealth in the hull out there
which your fire has sunk. 1t is, verify, the
root OF all evil; let us hope that it re-
mains at the bottom of the sea-
Bars of gold-bags of diamonds" said
Mr. Duncan. Come on board, Mr.. Todd;
we'll see what the captain thinks"
At dinner in the briggs cabin that even
tng-as prelude to which MIR. Todd said
grace-his account of the wealth spread
out on Captain Swarth's cabin table after
the taking of the passenger ship was some
thing to arouse interest in a less worldly
man than Captain Bunce. Virgin go1d-in
bars. fngots, bricks and dust-from the
piled up on the table until the legs gave
way and launched the glittering mass to
the floor. Diamonds. uncut, uncounted, of
untold value-a three years product of the
whole Chapada district-some as large as
walnuts-had been spread out and tossed
about like marbles by those lawless men,
then boxed up with the gold and slowed
among the cargo under the main hatch.
Again Mr.. Todd expressed the hope that
Providence would see fit to let this treas
ure remain where the pirates had left it,
to no longer tempt man to kill and steal
But Captain Bunce and his officers thought
differently. Chances, then tentative COM
ments were exchanged. and in five min
utes they were of one mind, even including
Mr.. Todd, for 1t may not be needless to
state that the treasure and the passenger
ship existed only in his Imagination.
Pending the return of the boats the brig s
anchor had been dropped about 200 yards
from the bark: now canvas was furled. and
at eight bells all hands were mustered aft
to hear what was in store. Captain Bunce
stated the case succinctly: they were home
ward bound and under general orders until
they reported to the admiral at Plymouth
Treasure was within their reach, appor-
tionable. when obtained. as prize money.
1t was useless to pursue the pirates into
the Brazilian Jungle; but they would need
to be watchful and ready for surprise at
any moment, either while at work raising
the bark or at night: for. though they had
brought out the two boats in which the
pirates had escaped. they could find other
means of attack should they dare or care
to. The English sailors cheered. Mr.. Todd
begged to say few words, and enjoined
them not to allow the love of lucre to tempt
their minds from the duty they owed to
their God, their country and their captain,
which was also applauded and forgotten in
a moment. Then, leaving a double anchor
watch, provided with blue fire and strict
instructions, on deck. the crew turned in
to dream of an aff1uent future, and Mr..
Todd was shown to a comfortable state
room He removed his coat and vest.
closed the door and headlight, filed and
lighted his black pipe and rolled into the
berth with q seaman's sigh Of content
ment.
THAT was good dinner" he murmured,
after he had filled the room with smoke,
"a good dinner. Nothing on earth Is too
good for q sky pilot. I'll go back to- the
business when I've made my pile; II 1t
wasn't SO all-ffred hard on the throat-and
then the trustees and the sisters, with
their eternal kicking on economy. and the
donation parties-vah. the dickens with
'em. Wonder II this brig ever carried q
chaplain? Wonder how Bill and the BOYS
are making out? Fine brig, this: 'leyen
knots on a bowline, I'll bet-fine state
rcom-good grub--nothin' to do but save
souls and preach the word on Sunday.
I'll strike the fat-duffer-for the-job-in-
the-morn-" The rest of the sentence
merged into q snore, and Mr. Todd sIeut
through tho night In the fumes of to-
bacco. which SO permeated his very being
that Captain Bunce remarked II at break
fast. Smoke, Captain Buncof I smoke