The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-22
THE SNAKES MARK.
"eins an Account of the Finding OF
the Lost Treasure of the Halloween
Family.
by. p. Y. BLACK.
Copyright 1898, by the 5. S. Mcclure Co.
CHAPTER VII
The hattie o9 The schooner.

The Battle Of the SchoOners.
Cziel had his way, but not until after
much debate on the matter with ola
Gabriel, who would it was apparent
have preferred to do without his COM
pany. Oziers simplicity, somewhat les
sened by 50 rough a contact with men
like Dixey Lynch, was not now so great
but what he deyined that Justin's for
tune, if not his person (for he could not
believe Old Gabriel to be so bloody
mnded as Lynch ana DonnereaW was
in danger if ever it came into The
greedy hands of the grasp.ng trader.
Therefore, he thought be understood
Gabriefs hesitation TO take him along
in his schooner His mind was Seuled
however, TO keep his faith to that sad
lonely girl in Boston, and stick 10 mis-
friends side, aud If he were not per
mitted TO sail in MurTins schooner he
would 10 as he said. That threat OBJ
viously alarmed old Gabriel. Such ex-
petitions as he' was about to embark
on were mems daily talk in the new col
onies in these times, when Thomas Crom-
wen ard William Phips of Boston were
massing wealth by treasures trove. and
governors of provinces were almost openly
interested in more or less dubious ven
lures. word in Leislers ear. or in the
ears OF any bold adventurer in New York
town, and half a dozen rival seekers would
nave headed for Sir Rogers place of cap
uVlty. indeed, Oziel had got the better
IN their exchange Of news Old Gabriel
@ la 10 Of (
ure ship, and had learned htue in return
save perhaps to him sorry news that his
nephew lived, and Lynch was on the Wav
TO the Indies Master MuUrin chafed. bur
was the worse OF the bargain and with
as good grace as he could muster. al last
babe Ozel since he would be so obstinate
come along. Yet the little man began now
TO pay more Difference to the young fellow.
as having showed a determination in
bringing him TO terms which the trader
had not expected in one whom he had al
ways thought Of, when he bore him 10
mind at all as a big, dumb, stupid farm
er's lad, not long from the school benches.
His great strength. too, appealed some
what TO the shriveled merchant
And you had Dixey Lynch down." he
said admiringly. My lad, not many can
say that. Mayhap when we meet him
again, yon big fist of yours will not let
him up so easily"
Indeed. when Gabriel remembered that
there might be lighting in shore. he con
soed himself with the thought that a hand
and heart like Oziel's would be better
ranged on his side than many another
paid sailorman's. So they babe farewell
10 the mistress of the ship chambers shop
and took their way TO the shore and thence
IN a boat to the schooner where GabrieTs
baggage was already bestowed, on fairly
good terms.
With relief Oziel noticed as the vessel
got under way, that MurTins crew were
no such villainous cutthroats as those he
had seen gathered together on the south
bay. Murrip, who spoke to him with free
dom, told him he knew them all-they
were men who. had manned his ships on
regular mercantile ventures, not averse,
il might be, to bit of Illicit traffic snug
Cling and so forth, but with no suggestion
about them of such black records as Ozlel
had gathered from Lynchs private talk
with Donnereau were behind these desper-
ate men. He freely told Gabriel what he
knew Of DiXeys strength and was pleased
70 note that the Susannah Murrin's
schooner, was equal to, if not stronger
than Dixeys craft in guns and men. AS
for the sloop, Gabriel considered that that
had likely been sent for a regular cargo
to some Connecticut seaport. Gabriel
chuckled a the VS., but it was his plan
to get the treasure If possible, without
running foul Of DiXey. The old fellow We s
sure Of his boats sailing abilities, said
rome on the coast could beat her and sure
Of his mems loyalty. He clapped on sail
10 beat Lynch and proved himself well
used TO the sea, even in command though
big stold Salem man was master in his
employ
South they sailed. the words of Justin's
song. ringing the while in Oziel's cars.
There grows the gold where the dead men
lie.
Where all brave lads are sailing!
As he hung daily over the side and
watched ~le waves slip by, the song did
NOT stir his blood as il had young Hahow-
els. He cared naught for the gold
nauebt for the southern moon, but his
mind was over in Boston. She would go
back to ENGLAND" he thought with jus
tins wealth and Jus,In 60 lords and fine
ladies'" ana he-Would be alone forever
more on the little farm. At least he could
be faithful and ala the orphans against
Lynch and against Murrin, whom he mis-
trusted still in spite OF the Oily mer-
chants now elusive love for his wards
"At least he could be faithful" To an
honest sou! there is true encouragement
in the thought lndu IN promise % uSdu
mems gold.
They sailed by coasts vaguely known
through tales OF superstitious Spaniards
cauous of soul as greedy for god. South
and ever south, unul the stars began TO
crow strange TO Oziel IN lonely midnight
watches. and Master Murrin waXed more
restless and excited every day He had
studied his course, he had exact informa-
ton TO the spot he sought, and the helms
man was never at fault for want Of clear
directions. Gabriel grew sleepless in his
greed TO handle the lost wealth, and Yves
on The lookout day and night, telling Ozei
they were near al hand.
At last one still eve, there came a black
md starless night, with but breath OF
wind so that they drfted making Muir
rim mad with impatient desire. All night
tbcv could not see a hands breadth from
the how. where bristled a long brass gun.
And when morning came at last they look
ed EAGERLY, and there she lay, but half
mile away. Dlxey Lynchs craft. Oziel rec
ognized il with shout, but Gabriel on the
deck with a spyglass, saw more and shook
hls FIST Impotenty at Lynch pacing his
hanks with long-iegged strides