Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-12-13
THE IRON PIRATE
"A Plain Tale Of Strange
Happenings on the Sea
By MAX PEBERT0N


dous question; but 1 had not reached the
shelter of the steamer which had saved
me before l made the discovery that the
belt of linen which had been about
Blacks waist was now about mine. l
found that it was filled with some hard
and sharp stones. Instinctively | knew
the truth that in his last hour the mas
ter of the nameless ship had retained his
curious affection for me; had made over
to me some of that huge hoard of wealth
he must have accumulated by his years
of pillage; and I restrained myself with
difficulty from casting the whole there and
then into the waters which had witnessed
his battles for it. But the belt was firm
~ dashed about me, and we were on the
deck of the steamer before my benumbed
hands could set the lashing free.
1t would be idle for me to attempt to
describe all l felt as the captain Of the
steamship Hoffnung greeted me upon his
quarterback, and his men sent up rounds
of cheers which echoed over the waters.
| stood for some minutes forgetful of ev-
erything save that l had been snatched
from that prison of STEEL brought from
the shadow of the living death to the
hope of seeing friends and country and
home again. Aud then there came a great
sense of thankfulness. and tears gushed
UP in my eyes, and fell upon my numbed
hands. With many encouraging pats on
the back. they forced me down their com
panionway to the shippers cabin, and so
to a bunk. where I lay inanimate, and
deep in sleep for many hours. But
awoke as another man, and when I had
taken a great bowl of soup my strength
seemed to return to me with bounds, and
| sat up to find they had taken away my
clothes, but that the belt which Black had
bound about me lay at the foot of the
bunk, and was unopened
1t was not heavy being all of linen
finely sewed; but when at last I made up
my mind to open it, I did so with my
teeth, tearing the threads at the top of
it, and so ripping it down. There fell
upon my bed some twenty or thirty dia-
monds of such size and lustre that they
lay sparkling with a thousand lights
which dazzled the eyes. and made me utter
a cry at once of surprise and of admira-
tioE. White stones they were, Brazilian
diamonds of the first water; and when
l undid the rest of the seam, and opened
the belt fully, L found at least fifty more,
with some superb black pearls, a fine en-
erald. and a little parcel of exquisite
rubies. To the latter there was attached
a paper with the words. Take these
they are honestly come by. And let me
write while / can that I have loved you.
Remember this when you forget Captain
Black" That was all: and l judged
that the stones were worth FIVE thousand
pounds if they were worth a penny
The Hoffnung was bound to Konigs-
berg. but when the skipper and l had
come to understand each other by signs
and writing he, with great consideration.
offered to put into Southampton and leave
me there. 1 put OF in his long-boat with
q deep sense of his humanity and kind
ness, and with hearty cheers from his
crew.
l should have gone to the quay at once
then, but crossing the roads saw a yacht
at anchor, and l recognized her as nv
own yacht Celsis, with Dan aboard. To
put to her side was the work of mo-
ment, and l Go not think that ever
gave a heartier hail than that "Ahoy.
Daniel - which then fell from nv Inns.
Alloy" cried Dan in reply. "Whv.
if it amt the guv !'nor ~
And the old fellow began to shout and
to wave his arms and to throw ropes
about as though ne were smitten with
lunacy.