Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-02-09

HIS was our OHlb4 AA4AA 81 ~ -
quickly off in the opposite direction.
| calculated that by making 40 miles
due east we should have the wind
about right for 4 straight reach into
Tarofofo, and could probably get there
by six o'clock. II was actually little
before that when concealed the gold
and other articles in the fissure, so
that, catching enough sea bass on the
way to account for our long sail, we
arrived at Agana by eight. In all my
experience with sailing craft, extend
ing over many yeurs and gathered up
on every sea Of the globe, never found
anything to equal the island proas of
the western Pacific in either speed or
safety. On account of their strength
and lightness they are practically in
destructible, and their enormous sail
area makes them the fastest things
upon salt water. That my statement
of having made 20 statute miles an
hour with one, before the wind, is no
cxaggeration, anyone who has ever
sailed in one will admit.
Sebastiano returned about nine
o'clock. having left the big proa at
Apra, and, while satisfying his vora-
cious appetite, told US quite frankly
that he had spent the day looking for
the Santa Rosa shoal. Recalling, for
Col. de Garma's benefit, the conNersa-
tions which had induced Capt. Hal
stead TO sound for the shoal, the padre
asked if | could remember the posi-
tion given upon the Imray chart.
ha said thuf "a
elder Spanish chart which he had seen
In Manila located the reef at least 20
miles farther west; that he had sup
posed al the time, and, in fact, until
Halstead explained its nature, it was
really a small islet which showed
above water, and the most southerly
one of the archipelago. This state
ment didn't exactly tally with the
questions he had asked on the steamer
when looking at Ifalstead's chart, but
could hardly repress n grin of salts
faction. nevertheless. If my fat friend
pinned his fai-a Jpon this last theory
il would keep him at least 30 miles
away from ne whenever he pursued
his iuVcsiiga; ;iCrs.
~. f:c: l,y,.rcr. lat he intended
49,. ..-.. =. arch for the
shoal complicated matters good deal
He was likely to overhaul me sooner
or later and find that was actually re-
moving the treasure. He might have
spies all over the island, for all
knew, and some day my visits TO Port
Tarofofo might be reported to him.
Then, again, if | succeeded In getting
all the money as far as my rocky tis-
sure, it was sure to be spirited away
by Sebastiano or the natives IL they
were successful in tracking me; and,
cudgel my wits as ! might, there
seemed no way in which could secrete
it until the steamer returned without
exciting uspicion-suspicion which
might cause it to disappear at any mo-
meht. 1t seemed imperative that l
should consult Halstead before get
ting any more of the stuff above wa
ter; yet in case there were no passen-
gers for Guajan, as we had talked,
! there wasn't a chance of seeing him
for nearly four months, and there was
some doubt of his returning even then.
| There was possibility of my reach
ing Yap In the proa before he left that
island, but it was pretty formidable
undertaking. After spending consid-
| cradle thought over the situation,
however, 1t seemed unsafe TO attempt
any other move. and I determined to
| risk 1t.
There was practically little danger
| that Sebastiano would succeed In ac-
| complishing anything; not being nav
| igator, his Investigations were pure
puesswork and dead reckoning from
| Guajan. Even IL he did locate the reef,
| I was positive that he had no diving
| apparatus, and he couldn't do much
! without-that l knew from my own
experience. The principal thing that
worried me was the chance of his run
ming across my equipment in the fis-
sure, and taking 1t with me was out Of
the question. While thinking the mat
ter over wondered If the padre had
investigated Fray Ignacio's box. a
scrap of conversation with Bartolo-
meo which I had overheard implied
| that he had; 1t indicated considerable
| displeasure with the resident padre
| for some reason or other. II such were
really the case II might be months
before anyone connected with the
church would have occasion to visit
| either the crypt or the room contain
ing the votive offerings again, and this
gave me an idea.
The islanders are intensely supersti'
tlous, and it has always been policy
Of the church to foster this character.
istic. So that. il could add to the al
ready bad reputation of Tarofofo bay
neither threats, bribes nor persuasion
would avail to get native within
miles Of the place. In view OF this fact
my friend with the diseased wishbont
seemed particularly fitted for the pur'
pose, If 1 could only spirit him away
Sebastiano had partaken heartily Of
his late supper that evening, and, be-
tween them, the padres had punished
vast quantity OF wine. Aside from
this, they were thoroughly tired opt
by their day upon the water, and in
all probability would sleep like logs
So, an hour or so after they had re
tired, cautiously slipped into the
church through the little postern, a
I had done before.
Not a soul appeared to be stirring
The fact Of the door being unlocked
was suspicious-I had expected to pick
1t with piece of wire-but, as there
was no time for investigation, l stole
into the cloisters and through the pas
sage which led to the chamber contain
ing the horrible images. The figure
was after had been well put together
and was heavier than II should have
been, besides; but, though the ghastly
thing gave me cold shivers, / pulled II
from the fastenings with little cere
mony.
| Holding the dummy upright before
me, l quietly returned, and was about
to open the postern, when the door
suddenly swung wide, revealing burly
form in the moonlight outside. 1t was
SebastiGno; but, fortunately for me
his head was not as clear as usual. Be
ing an inveterate smoker, his nerves
often went back upon him; and nc
mortal digestion could stand the abuse
he had given bis that evening without
protesting. Altogether, he was IN 9
bad way. Nothing but an object ot
vital Importance could have forced him
to venture upon n nocturnal prowl In
such a condition. The moonlight must
have given that wax figure an aspect OF
blood-curdling horror, for, with gasI
| of surprise and mortal terror, the