Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-21

S-SssSSl gram and tbe papers he had worked
lSES&SgI out concerning it were being, secret
ed lest they should tall INTO
Gomez's hands,
When the precious package hal been drop
nod into the narrow hole, and the hoard re-
placed,so skillfully that no one would nave
suspected that it had been removed, the pro-
visions. water and clothing were carried on
board the felucca.
The tent was left where it had been put
up. and in it remained the bedding. Ihree
stout clubs were cut and thrown amid the
chips, where they would not be noticed par
ticuarly, but where the boys could seize them
readily.
'Now let's work on the JaQuita as II our
only object was to get her into sailing conol
ton" Bob said. There is just a chance
that Gomez won't bother about us, and that
we can leave when our craft is repaired. we
shall have to get along without anything like
tar but we can caulk the seams so tightly
that she won't leak very much"
Even Percy admitted that their only course
was to leave the key, for. if they had sue
ceeded in reading the ciphers, they could dc
nothing toward finding the treasure while
Gomez was there.
The piece of timber had been fastened in
place with nails drawn from the bulkhead
of the cabin, and Bob was. packing down the
oakum with the hatchet for caullSing-iron,
when the boat they were expecting emerged
from the inlet into the little harbor, sailing
directly toward the spot where the boys were
working.
The Spaniard had returned, bringing three
men, who looked as if they might be fitting
companions.
'You needn't take the trouble to plug up
that hole, my young friends" Gomez said,
30 1,oal %..1 h. l+lz
occupants leaped out within few feet of the
Jaquita's owners. ct is my intention to
wreck her more thoroughly than i did be-
fore, for 1 do not propose that you shall leave
here while / have so much use for you. Get
away, L"
He was advancing, with a threatening ges-
ture, and Percy was about to raise one Of
the clubs, when a member of the party in
terrupted the Spaniard by whispering few
words in his ear
"You are right, Launce. It's good idea,"
Gomez said, with a laugh Then he added,
speaking to Bob. you can keep on with
your work, and be sure to do it properly, for
| don't want you to drown before you get
to Tampa"
The boys were surprised by this apparently
sudden change of plan, but they did not
question its sincerity.
Bob resumed the caulking while the un-
WelcOInc NiSilOrS, WHO Hdu taken possession
of the tent, watched him as they smoked
He had closed the seams as well as he could,
and was about TO cease his labors, when Go
mez said, in a friendly tone:
you will find some cold tar in orr boat
Put plenty Of it on, and she'll be in about as
good a condition as she was before.''
Bob was delighted at receiving this order
for, without something with which to cover
the caulking, the oakum despite his careful
work, would admit no small amount Of wa
ter.
although you spent the night with me-
! don't know your name," Gomez said to
Dudley, in his old, mocking tone; "but my
ignorance in that respect won't prevent you
from getting supper for us. See that it's
something good-f you haven't variety
enough, overhaul our stores-and it will be
particularly unfortunate for you if the cook
ing is bad"
Dudley obeyed at once, for ne was so
to stand on his head if he had been so COM
manded, but Percy's face grew red with
anger, and Bob called him to the boat,
whispering, as soon as he had the oppor-
Now don't get into any trouble, old fel.
low. They will have their own way, and
we can't help ourselves. II you pick up
any row, it will only make matters mighty
disagreeable for US all. Keep your temper
down, do anything they say, and, as soon as
the felucca is ahoat, we will give them the
slip" h.t. 20 lst them hos. mo ,round and =,
not tell them what l think"
HThat's good deal better than giving
them the opportunity to show what they're
Wiling to do in the way of teaching us a
lassor Helm me to put this cold tar on and