Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-10
CHAPTER III.
Il GIVE MY SHARE TO YOU

Noou LUCK ana 1alr WINDS followed
cur adventurers until they reached thu
stormy Gulf of California, where an ac-
cident occurred which greatly affected
Toms future plans.
1t was an hour before sunset and the
Swo passengers were leaning over the
stern watching the water fly swiftly
under the counter, when a loud shout
from aloft attracted their attention.
Looking quickly up they had barely
time to spring aside when heavy block
struck the deck beside them with ter
rife force. 4 rope attached to Il hit
Toms companion across the chest,
sending him backwards. His heels met
the wheel ropes and the next instant he
struck the water astern and 6isap-
peared from Toms sight.
1t had all happened so quickly that he
hardly realized what had occurred until
the sailo- aloft shouted:
Man overheard, Man overboard!-
With the promptitude of sailor the
man AT the wheel sprang TO the rail and
sut adrift the life preserver, which was
always ready for use, and at the same
time the captain rushed on deck and
ordered the ship hove to.
Then Tom tore off his coat and shoes
and leaped over the rail before the cap
tain could detan him.
Like most Cape Cod boys, he had
learn d to swim at an early age and
pond in Merrivale had enabled him 10
indulge in the exercise in late years, so
that when he came TO the surface he
felt no anxiety for himself, although
She vessel was some distance away.
He struck out with all his might in
the direction OF the vessels wake, and
soon caugh, glimpse of white face
taead rising AID falling OH the waves.
Keep up till reach you'll" he shout
ed TO encourage Avery, who was fully
90 yards away
There was TO reply. and when Tom
was within n dozen strokes of his friend
the latter suddenly threw up his arms
and began to sink.
Tom reached the spot jus, in time TO
grasp his hair aud drag him to the sur
face, where he lay utterly unconscious
and unable TO assist himself. Tom sup
ported him as best he could, but his
clothes soon began 10 drag him down,
nearly spent when something white
swept before his eyes on the top of q
sea, and he saw that il was the life
buoy. With a last effort he struck out
and succeeded in grasping it.
In the meantime the Seabird had been
brought TO the wind and n boatlowered
with all possible speed. hut it is slow
operation at best, and the craft was a
half mile distant before the boat struck
the water with Capt. Coffin in her stern.
Although the buoy supported Tom
easily, he found it no easy task TO keep
the unconscious mans head above the
them he was pulled from the water in
state of utter exhaustion.
Avery showed no signs of life, and
when the vessel was reached he was
taken 10 his berth, where the old cap
tain gradually resuscitated him, Tom
having changed his clothes in the mean
time and regained the use of his limb
When he reached the stateroom he
was shocked at his friends face. There
was look there which comes but once
10 humanity, and which froze the words
on his tongue.
"Scott, sit down, "esaid the old miner.
Il can see by your face what you read
in mine. / have no time 10 waste. I'm
& dying man, Scott. Something has
given out inside and my time is up.
Don't interrupt me, please. must tell
you something while l have time"
He paused an instant to press his
hand to his side, saying:
when that hit me something snapped
in here. 1 think rib is sticking into
my lungs. Take off my belt, Scott.
Hurry upi Don't stop 10 ask questions
nowl"
Tom obeyed, and with trembling
fingers the dying man drew forth a
folded bit of paper, whispering:
Its yours, and II means fortune
TO you'll Get me pen and paper and
then write what / tell you'll"
His request was soon complied with,
and with a faint voice he dictated:
Il, John Avery, being about to die,
give my share in the gold mine discov-
ered by my partner, Dick Reed, to the
bearer, Thomas Scott, who has risked
bis life for mine twice"
When this unique will was on paper
he added:
"Give me the pen. There needn't be
any witnesses. Dick Reed knows my fist,
and he's as square as die. This paper is
map to tell me how to reach the mine
It's a secret trail leads to it, and only
three men know of it. You will be rich
II you live to reach it. Trust no one,
but go by yourself. Take the money in
my belt. too, and use it as you please.
You may find my brother Bill at the
mine. He was sent for, too. You'll get
my share"
A violent fit of coughing interrupted
him, and before it ended the handker-