The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-01-26

Joined him the night before tried to
dissuade them from putting the plan
into execution; but they persisted, and
sailed away the next day.
In about two weeks the sail-boat
hove in sight, and when she was
beached, an emaciated, wounded
wretch crawled out, the sole survivor
of the crew that had sailed away So
confidently two weeks before.
Before he died he told how the ras-
Gals had succeeded in reaching the
coast safely, and with little difficulty
had found a small vessel suited to
their purpose.
They tried to get away with 1t in
the night, but the owner discovered
them and attempted to interfere, with
the result that he paid for his vigilance
with a knife slash which settled him
In minute. But the pirates did not
get far away before they were over
hauled. taken back to port, and every
one of them was hanged except the
teller of the tale, who had escaped, but
had been MORALLY wounded in doing
so.
The carpenter and the sailor prospect
ed daily about the ravine and the
beach; but having nothing except their
knives with which to work they made
little progress. Still they picked out
of the crevices considerable amount
of gold.
One day they borrowed Ratchet
from the old German and penetrated
a ravine which scanned one of the
mountains. Some distance up the
slope they cleared away the under
bush, and found the ledge to be COM
posed Of soft stone impregnated with
gold In large quantities. In fact, the
entire mountain seemed to be streaked
with the precious metal.
AS they worked. however, their lives
were in constant danger, for the noun.
tain side seemed to be alive with pol
sonous reptiles. scorpions. tarantulas-
in fact, owing to these pests they were
fain to give up all attempts to pene-
trate further. and contented them
selves with working about the foot Of
the mountain. They remained on this
island nearly two months before they
were taken off by passing vessel
which stopped to fill her watercasks.
Shortly after their return to the 18TH
mus the sailor was taken down with
yellow fever and died. The carpenter
then took the gold and, keeping his
secret, set sail for his home, where he
bought hotel. He intended some time
to return to the island, but one win
ter day he fell on the Ice, receiving
an injury that resulted in paralysis.
and a year later he also died. But
before he died he told to a friend
who had nursed him all the details OF
his strange adventures in the South
ern Pacific, drew plan of the island,
described its location and topography.
and gave such accurate description
that any one familiar with the coast
could have no difficulty in verifying the
statement.
The carpenters friend did not sur
vive him long. but before he died he
likewise related the carpenters story
to captain who was familiar with the
waters of the Southern Pacific. Some
months later another expedition was
fitted out for the mysterious isle Of
gold.
But wiseacres shook their heads, and
belief has grown among the timid,
and, indeed. more than the timid, that
a curse is associated with the isle and
treasure, that death and doom newt
ably follow the pursuit Of the secret
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