The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-11-05
CHAPTER III-Continued.

pOrhOoG OF the captains quafterss IL
was this very point that attracted the
crafty fsherman's attention.
Shovels were secured and the boys
were ordered to delve their way into
the captains room. It was easy to find
the door since the sand only extended
about half way to the ceiling of the
cabin.
While the boys were shoveling back
the dripping sand, old seadog was al
ternately on the lookout inside and out.
He let nothing ON the stranded vessel
escape his observation and kept con-
slant vigilance out over the bay to see
that no one was approaching.
If can make sure that they were
aboard my future ia no longer an I'M
cel tainty," said the old man as ne
mused to himself. "It was impossible
for any one to SURVIVE" he continued.
''The whole crew and all aboard went
to the bottom of the sea and the crabs
will have disfgured their bodies be-
yond recognition before they rise to the
surface. And even should they escape
these busy scavengers they may drift
back to the ocean where they will furn-
ish food for the larger fish,"
The fishermen were already suspici-
Gus of old Seadog and when driven from
the wreck at the muzzle OF his gun they
Immediately returned to the village
and spread the news.
"The officers ought to take the mat
ter in hand" said one.
''Yes, he is up to stealing the ship
and cargo" said another.
The justice of the peace was appealed
to as we'll as the village constable, but
these two functionaries declared that
they had only jurisdiction on the land
and not on the sea.
'But the pillaging should be stop
ped" insisted the honest fishermen.
When the justice of the peace saw
that his neighbors were bent on some
Kind of legal action, he informed them
that the higher courts had jurisdiction
on the waters; that the government
itself would act if it were informed:
that the vessel was foreign one and
that the consul of the country from
which the vessel came would protect it
from the hands Of the land pirates.
Astoria then had her customs Off
cials and she had United States COM
missioner. Cape disappointment had
her lighthouse, but 1t was before the
days OF telephone and telegraph service
at that point and there was no way to
communicate with the government
authorities at Astoria. sixteen miles
away on the south bank of the river,
except by crossing the stream in a
small boat.
But those men Of the river we've not
slow in arranging for the trip. A small
sail boat was launched and three of the
most intelligent went aboard and were
aoon cutting their way across north Of
Sand Island as fast as the wind could
carry them.
Old seadog's watchful eye did moi
let them escape unnoticed, and he
knew that ordinary matters did moi
prompt his neIghbcrs on such jour
ney.
''Dig for your lives, boys; lift out
that sandI We may have trouble be
fore our job Is done. Some of those
halfbreeds have gone to Astoria b
raise trouble and we must get we'll ant
through before the storm blows back. ,
Old seadog did not mean to disturb
the property left on the vessel. HI
had personal motive in view. Hi
mission was not in quest OF gold
neither would he have carried away
the smallest thing of intrinsic value
but would have risked his life and tina
Of his boys for that which he sought.
While delving their way into thu
cabin they came upon many valuables
These were cast aside as 80. much rub
hish. Gold and silver trinkets wer'
thrown upon the heaps of sand as j
they were of no value.
II was several hours after they hac
begun work and old seadog was alread.
casting uneasy glances toward thu
south side of the river when the boy
struck the sea captains iron chest.
While battling with the storm tn
rocking, tossing vessel had shaken thi
heavy receptacle from its usual plac
and had hurled it about the room lik
q ping pong ball. But like wedge i
had been driven into a heap of fur
uASuEO @nO OaSRaSV Jahui0A NOSCShcA IL
one corner of the room and backed b,
these and the heavy bank Of sand piles
upon the top of the whole, it seemed
thing as solid and immovable as tn
hull Of the vessel itself.
It was at this crisis that old Seado
discovered a revenue cutter approach
ing from the south, at whose helm
foated the stars and stripes.
exert yourselves, boys, exert your
selves for your lives, or all is TO
naughtl those fools have informed tn
officers and they will soon be upon US,
said the old man.
Then they all put to and CAV
their energy to securing the iron chest
The old man abandoned his lookou
and Joined the boys in the work. TIL
timbers were interlocked about it an
at the same time deeply imbedded i
the sand. 5 a.....
SECT the capstan lever, boys; g
the capstan. We must have her no.
or it will be too latel'' exclaimed th
~ II