Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-09-30

and the spit itself had almost melted
out of sight in the glowing distance.
That was, at least, the end of that; and
before noon. to my inexpressible joy
the highest rock of Treasure Island had
sunk into the blue round of sea.
We We're so short of men that every
one on board had to bear hand-only
the captain lying on mattress in the
stern and giving his orders; for, though
greatly recovered, he was still in want
of quiet. We laid her head for the
nearest port in Spanish America, for
we could not risk the voyage home
without fresh hands; and, as it was
what with battling winds and couple
of fresh gales, we were all worn out
before we reached it.
It was just at shutdown when we cast
anchor in a most beautiful land-locked
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 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
a 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
confession. Silver was gone. The
maroon and connived at his escape in
a 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 d
bulllhead 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.
I think we were all pleased to be so
cheaply quit of him.
Well, to make a 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 it wisely or foolish
ly, according to our natures. Capt.
Snollet 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 a family. AS for Ben Gum,
he got $1,000, 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
lodge to keep, exactly as he had Jared
upon the island; and he still lives, a
great favorite, though something of
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 I dare say he met his old
negress, and perhaps still lives in com.
fort with her and Capt. Flint. 1t is
to be hoped so, I 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 wain7ropes would
not bring me back again to that ac-
cursed island; and the worst dreams
that ever have are when I hear the
surf booming about it's coasts, or start
upright in bed, with the sharp voice OF
Capt. Flint still ringing in my ears:
pieces of eight! pieces of eight"
r- THE END ~