Bridgeton pioneer., 1908-01-23
ending the
~ honeymoon
By TAYLOR WHITE.
Copyrighted, 1907. by e. c. PARCELS.
By TAYLOR WHITE.

II
ed Dan. "Just before the failure Uncle
Dudley wrote that he had hoped to
leave me lot, but that he was afraid
there was precious little left and that
was going fast. Two weeks after that
the failure came, and he shot himself
Poor Uncle Dud!'
"But there must be something" in
sisted Laura, land we can look for the
pirates treasure"
"And lose what little there Is left"
suggested Dan. 'That chart was all
right to study over in the winter even
ings, Laurie. but it's different thing
to sink money III search for treas
ure buried 800 years ago off the Argen-
tine coast"
"But this is real" suggested Laura
going to the desk and taking there
from the well worn parchment which
had furnished them amusement for SO
many long winter evenings. 1t was
well preserved, and Dan could clearly
trace the lines and written directions
This paper had been handed down in
the Kingsland family since one Of the
ish navy, had befriended member of
pirate crew captured in the Spanish
main. Just before the prisoner went
to his execution he had slipped into the
hand of his benefactor roll of parch-
ment which had come down through
past generations, gaining in romance
with each year.
fhn txryo fI,4 al
map with renewed interest since there
was at least the possibility that they
might have the means for prosecuting
the search. Dan was inclined to be
skeptical, but Laura would not have it
so.
at is real treasure" she declared
81 know that it is real, and | will
never forgive-you, Dan, if you don't
go after it. Think of the years we
have been wishing that we had
enough money to fit out an expedition!
Now our chance has come, and you're
laughing at the idea. You must go,
DAN"
tune is" he temporized. "Wait until
the estate can De settled
1t was not long wait Dudley Fet-
ter had been forced into bankruptcy
after long career as shipping mer-
chant. The disappointment had so
preyed upon his mind that he had kill
ed himself, and the little old lawyer
who was at once his counsel, receiver
and executor soon disentangled the
muddle. Dan found himself owner of
tramp steamer and some $1,000 in
money.
He was inclined to sell the steamer,
but Laura would not hear of it. She
was firm in her faith In the pirates
map, and she at last carried her point
through, only after she had declared
that she would break her engagement
If Dan did not undertake the trip.
The captain of the Dudley was u
weather beaten old man of fifty, whose
shrewd eyes twinkled when the sub
jeSt was broached to him.
II never heard of 'em that far
SOUTH" he declared; "but, Lord love We,
there's pirates gold hidden from the
north pole to the south-to hear 'em
tell it. It's as likely to be there as
anywhere"
"Will $1,000 take us down and
back?' demanded the cautious Dan.
Captain Glass removed the pipe from
his lips the better to smile.
"Down and back and down again."
he asserted. Anyway, you don't have
to worry about getting back. We can
easily get load at Buenos Ayres or
Rio to pay the cost of the up trip. It'll
make nice little sail for you, seeing
as you've never been to sea- Why not
make it bridal tour? Brides bring
luck to ships. Maybe with a bride we
could find the gold"
Il know you willr cried Laura
jumping up to plant kiss on Dams
cheek. We'll be married on board
the Dudley before she sails"
The last argument was a clincher
and Dan gave in. Ten days later the
men We're called aft to witness a quiet
little wedding and as the minister
went over the side noisy little tn
helped the Dudley get out into the
stream and point her nose to the
south.
1t was a long, delightful honeymoon
10 these two, who had never seen the
ocean until Dan had come to New
YORK to claim his legacy. They had
DAY or two of seasickness, but this
soon passed, and after that, as they
slipped over the blue waters, Laura's
confidence in the quest grew amazing
~ Even Dan began to share her en-
thusiasm long before they had crossed
the equator.
At last the course was altered, and
the Dudley headed inland until the
black. forDidding cliffs loomed darkly
pefore them. 1t was no easy matter to
PICK their way through uncharted
channels, but at last the steamer Slip
ped Into little bay, and Captain
Glass declared it to be the spot shown
In the map.
Here the rocks did not come sharply
down to the waters edge, but ran in
land, forming a sheltered nook of soma