The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-04-05
Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. Clode

4
Iris was quick witted. 1T is plan
| of the island" she cried.
s.Also the latitude and the longitude" ."
| ssWhat does 3. s. mean?"
| Probably the initials Of a mans
| name. Let US say John Smith, for In
stance
! .sAnd the figures on the island, with
the * and the dot?'
sI cannot tell you at present" he
said. 81 take it that the line across the
island signifies this gap or canyon, and
the small intersecting line the cave.
But 80 divided by and an x sur
mounted by a dot are cabalistic. They
would cause even Sherlock Holmes to
smoke at least two pipes. I have bare
II started d'one."
.Tt looks quite mysterious, like the
things you read Of in stories Of pirates
and buried treasure"
Yes he admitted. 1T is unques-
tionably plan, a guidance, given to a
person not previously acquainted with
the island, but cognizant Of some fact
connected with it. Unfortunately none
of the buccaneers I can bring to mind
frequented these seas. The poor beg
gar who left it here must have had
some other motive than searching for
cache"
did he dig the cave and the well, !
wonder?'
Probably the former, but not the
well. No nan could do it unaided.'
..Why do you assume he was alone"
He snolled toward the fire to kick
stray log. cit is only idle speculation
at the best, Miss Deane," he replied.
.sWould you like to help me to drag
sone timber up from the beach? five
get a few big planks we can build
fire that will last for hours. We want
some extra clothes, too, and it will soon
be dark"
The request for cooperation gratihed
her. She complied eagerly, and with
out much exertion they hauled a re-
spectacle load of frewood to their new
camping ground. They also brought
number of coats to serve as coverings.
Then jerks tackled the lamp. It was a
most difficult operation to open it.
Before the sun went down he sue
ceeded and made wick by unrayeling
few strands Of wool from his jersey.
When night fell, with the suddenness
Of the tropics, Iris was able to illumi-
nate her small domain.
They were both utterly tired and
ready to drop with fatigue. The girl
said good night" but instantly re-
appeared from behind the tarpaulin.
Gam I to keep the lamp alight?' she
inquired.
please yourself, Miss Deane. Bet
ter not, perhaps. 1t will only burn
four or five hours anyway"
Soon the light vanished, and he lay
down, his pipe between his teeth, close
to the caves entrance. Weary though
he was he could not sleep forthwith.
His mind was occupied with the signs
on the canister head.
's32 divided by i: an * and q dot
he repeated several times. 'What do
they signify?"
Suddenly he sat up, with every sense
alert, and grabbed his revolver. Some
thing impelled him to look toward the
spot, few feet away, where the skele-
ton was hidden. 1t was the rustling Of
a bird among the trees that had caught
his ear.
He thought Of the white framework
Of a once powerful man, lying there
among the bushes, abandoned, forgot
ten. horrifc. Then he smothered a
cry Of surprise.
.sBy Jovew he muttered There is
no 'X' and dot. That sign is meant
sor skull and crossbones. 1t lies
exactly on the part Of the island where
we saw that queer looking bald patch
today. First thing tomorrow before
tie girl awakes l must examine that
place
lie -esoluteiy stretched himself on
his share Of the spread out coats, now
thoroughly dried by sun and fire. In
a minute he was sound asleep.
CHAPTER V.