The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-17

was supposed to have been some hid
den treasure, which tradition had
stated lay upon the island. I also
reminded him Of the fact that Dutch
Island is full of what are known as
treasure holes" which have been
made by persons seeking the buried
booty of the pirates of the olden
times. He knew all about these; and
he had also heard that some of the
enterprising explorers into the mys-
teries of that island had been success
full. But he was still i~ncredulous.
So, I urned the conversation to my
fowls, and JameSby was very ready
then to admit hat 1 had told the
genuine thing in describing to him
some of my prize birds. There was
no doubt h a I could exhibit several
specimens of unexceEed qualities.
Jamesby remained to tea, so that we
could go to the Lodge together. We
bad hardly entered the hall before
the historian Of the town, who is also
a leading Mason, made an onset upon
me and my Money Island revelations.
why, sir" he said, Il regarded it
throughout as most reasonable. I
have made a study Of the pirates who
INFESTED coast in the early colonial
days, and 1 know tina this section.
particularly the lower portion of the
cape Fear, was a great rendezvous for
lnenl. 1t is known, upon most reli-
able information, that there immense
quantities of captured treasure secret
ed along the coast" Another gentle
man said, Yes, and they also buried
treasure further down south; for at
my old home (and I speak the honest
trutn) have actually stood in the
mole from which my friend Mr.
Coachman unearthed accidentally q
SilaI fortune, which has given him a
comfortable start in life" And the
conversation fingered in this absorb
ing VEN until the meeting was opened
much to my relief; for I had been s,Ir,
feited with money finding for +ba+
DAY at least. In the solemn;tv os the
opening exercises, however, I heard
some one telling of a negro who bod
FOUND a roll OF old bank notes in .
log which had been hauled to n sau
mill to be cut. so"
me next morning I still was aware
mat | possessed an attractive personal
Ity: Jainesby actually stepped by the
oH1ce to walk up with me aft lunch
time. He was willing patientIv r. vail
along slowly with me; for now in mn
Ola g L find that Ihave to move slow
~. L knew 1t would have been morn
natural for him to have gone on brisk
W. put he was as polite as ever. and
assured me that the pleasure of my
coAipdly WAS better than too much
Tune spent at his meal.
We stopped at the newspaper office.
Inc editor and the proprietor had OBJ
served our approach, and they were
awaiting us with looks of amused in
terest. Mr.. Reel" the former said,
you have really stimulated the en-
terprise OF the town. Why have you
kept so reticent on that subject all
these years." OF course, knew what
subject was referred to; for I had been
living for these two days in an atmos-
phere filled with the phantoms of gold,
treasures. marvellous discoveries, pi-
rates and other engaging topics of
thought; and I now looked for nothing
else. I'm my opinion" he continued,
eft was a very reasonable narrative.
OF course, it goes without saying that
it Is true. I tell you, sir. that it is my
judgment that this whole section Of
coastline is rich in gold. Not only
those Pirates, but, during the Civil
War, the blockade runners, when fear
ing capture. were known repeatedly to
throw gold into the sea along the beach
sometimes by the key full: and not