Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-01-24

, lis that tORi play or accident, Captain
BdrclGG'
ripline had struck him down with q
Ratchet or some other heavy weapon. II
seemed more probable than any other
explanation. and yet IL did not entirely
satisfy me either But the ocean IL full
Of mysteries and we were content to
leave the fate Of the dead seaman Of the
Brazilian brig 10 be added to that long
list which every sanor can recall.
The heavy box was slung up by
ropes ON To- the deck Of the Mary Sin
clair and WAS carried by four seamen
into the cabin. where between the table
and the after lockers there was just
space for IL TO stand. There il remain
cd during supper. and after that meal
the mates remained with me and dis
cussed over a glass OF grog the event OF
the day. Mr. Armstrong was long,
thin. vulturelike man, an excellent sea-
man, but famous for his nearness and
cupidity. Our treasure truve had ex-
cited him greatly. and already he had
begun. with glistening eyes, 10 reckon
up how much it might be worth to each
Of us when the shares Of the salvage
came 90 be divided.
"If the paper said that they were
unique, Captain Barclay, then they
may be worth anything that you may
like t.o name. You wouldn't believe the
sums that the rich collectors give. A
thousand pounds is nothing to them.
Well have something to show for our
voyage or am mistaken.
"I don't think that" said ]. "As
far as can see they are not very differ
ent from any other South American
curios.
"well, sir, I've traded there for IA
voyages, and have never seen any
thing like that chest before. That's
worth pile Of money just as it stands,
but it's SO heavy thar surely there must
be something valuable inside IL. Don
you think that we ought to open 1t and
| see:''
"If yea break 1t open. you will spoil
| il as likely as not" said the second
mate.
Armstrong squatted down in front OF
it, with his head ON one side and his
long thin nose within few inches OF
the lock.
'The wood is oak" said he, land il
has shrunk little with age. II had
chisel or q strong bladed knife, ! could
force the lock back without doing any
damage at all.
The mention of o strong bladed knife
made me think Of the dead seaman upon
the brig.
81 wonder if he could have been on
the job when some one came to interfere
with him." said l.
81 don't know about that, sir, but
am perfectly certain that l could open
the box. There's screwdriver here IN
the locker. Just hold the lamp. Altar.
dyce, and I'll have il done ia q brace
| of shakes.
"Wait q Bit" said ], for already,
with eyes which cleaned with curiosity
and with avarice, he was STOPPING over
the lid. ~ don't see that there is any
hurry over this matter. You've read
| that card which warns us not to open
Ii. 1t may mean anything or 1t may
mean nothing, but somehow feel in-
clined to obey II. After all, whatever
is in it will keep, and II it is valuable
it will be worth MS much II it is opened
in the owners offices az in the cabin OF
the Mary Sinclair"
The first officer seemed bitterly die.
appointed at my decision.
"Surely, sir, you are not supersti-
tious about it," said he, with a slight
sneer upon bis thin lips. If it gets out
of our own hands and we don't zee fol
ourselves what is inside it, we may be
done out Of our rights; besides"-
"That's enough, Mr.. Armstrong,
said I abruptly. "You may have every
confidence that you will get your rights,
but will not have that box opened 70
night"
"Why, the label itself shows that tho
box has been examined by Europeans,
AlIardyce added. Because box is q
treasure box is no reason that It hal
treasures inside 1t now. A good many
folk have had peep into II since the
days Of the old governor Of Terra
Firma." 3 H
Armstrong threw the screwdriveI
down upon the table and shrugged hi
shoulders.
"Just rs you like" said he. but fol
the rest Of the evening, although w
spoke upon many subjects. noticed
that bis eyes ware Continually cominf