Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-21

| W. i on shore, free from intrusion, Percy
RAsMnIM did not wait to hear what plan Bob
VffSSSv had to propose, but ran directly to
the fore peak, returning with his
precious manuscript to the cabin after ten
minutes search.
81 guess there's no more chance OF losing it
if l keep it with me than by hiding it on the
vessel or the key" he said, as he placed 1T
carefully between the lining of his coat on the
under side of the sleeve.
"Now, Bob, what kind of scheme have
you got?"
''It isn't anything that will be certain to
do us good; but it may possibly. There are
plenty Of gourds on the key, and they will
float long time. Suppose we tear some of
this thin sheathing from the cabin, cut it in
pieces about half as large shingle, and
write on it where we are and how we are
fixed. Then we put the pieces into the
neck q the gourds and toss them over
board"
Both Percy and Dudley thought the plan
good one, and all three began at once to
carry it into effect. The cabin sheathng was
torn off, and while Bob and Dudley whit
tied the strips into such shape that they
would attract attention, Percy wrote with
lead pencil on each one the following inscrip
ton:
The Sons of
Robert Pearson, Charles H. Morris and Anson
Pratt, of Tampa, Florida,
are kept prisoners on Egg Key, Sarasota Bay,
Dy 1Our men.
Will somebody help us?
Owing to lack of materials, but eighteen of
these could be prepared, and although night
was rapidly coming on, the boys did not hesi-
tate about starting.
With the pieces Of sheathing under their
coats they slipped ashore from the felucca
without attracting the attention Of the revel-
ers, and plunged into the underbrush. To
gather the gourds and carry them to the beach
taok hla time and
the sun was just sinking behind the western
horizon when the first messenger was
launched.
The Journey back to the harbor, after all
the gourds had been set adrift was diff
cult as well as tedious one, owing to the
darkness, but it was finally accomplished,
and the Jaquita's crew were safely aboard
again.
The men were in the tent, engaged in an
argument, which was growing more animated
each moment, as to the probable whereabouts
of the pirates treasure, and shortly after the
boys returned it became quite evident that the
party were ready for quarrel.
"They're going to have a row." Dudley
said nervously, as all three stood at the
stern of the vessel, gazing at the scene,
that was fascinating because of the possible
danger.
''Yes, and if they do we may get the worst
of it," replied Percy, in matter of fact
tone:
why don't we cast off the shore line and
pull out over the anchor%
'Thats just what I've been thinking Of"
Bob said, in a tone of decision. 'If the
raft was alongside, l would say let's do it;
but they would be sure to see us if we at
tempted to bring it out, and while they have
it they can come aboard whenever they
choose"
"I'll soon settle the question:
And, without waiting to explain his pur-
pose, he slipped over the stern to the beach,
walking leisurely toward the raft, as if simply
out for stroll.
He was not so dilatory, however, when he
reached the light craft that had caused them
so much trouble to make
1t was SO dark that his movements could
not be distinguished from the camp, and he
could do the work of destruction without be-
ing observed.
To cut long apertures in the sides of a por-
tionsof the gourds did not require much time,
and before he had finished one end of the raft
had sunk into the shallow water.
CONTINUED on PAGE SEVEN