Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-21

Its not much of a fortune" explain !
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 Dudr'
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 )
to sink money in Il search for treas
ure buried 300 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
early Kingslands, sailor in the Brit
iSh navy, had befriended a member of
Il 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.
Now the two poured over the old
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 1t
SO.
'It Is real treasure" she declared
Il 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 tit out an expedition!
Now our chance has come, and you're
laughing at the idea You must 60,
Dan"
"We'll see what Uncle DudIey's for
tune is" he temporized "Wait until
the estate can De Settieu.
1t was not long wait. Dudley Fet-
ter had been forced into bankruptcy
after long career as a 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
10 - g
tramp steamer and some $1,000 in
money: 'zss - ss-@.
He was inclined to sell the steamer,
but Laura would notehear pfs.it; She
was firm in her faith IN tfie 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 Il
weather beaten old man of fifty, whose
shrewd eyes twinkled when the sub
ject was preached 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
teil IT, II . DIS llheiy " VA tHeIe dS
anywhere"
Twill $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
| ot nr
Rio to pay the cost of the up trip. It'll
make a 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 bride we
could find the gold
II know you will"' cried Laura,
jumping up to plant kiss on Dams
cheek. well be married on board
the Dudley before she sails"
The last argument was clincher
and Dan gave in. Ten days later the
men\were called aft to witness quiet
i little wedding, and as the minister
went over the side noisy little tug
helped the Dudley get out into the
stream and point her nose to thu
south.
1t was long, delightful honeymoon
to these two, who had never seen til,
ocean until Dan had come to New
York to claim his legacy. They had {
day or two of seasickness, but thi:
soon passed, and after that, as theJ
slipped over the blue waters, Laura:
confidence in the quest grew amazing
ly. Even Dan began to share her en-
thusiasm long before they had crossed
the equator.
At last the course was altered, ant
the Dudley headed inland until tn,
, black, forbidding cliffs loomed dark.
, before them. 1t was no easy matter t,
pick their way through uncharte'
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 sharpl.
, down to the waters edge, but ran in
, land, forming sheltered nook of som
few hundred acres in extent. The tw
huge rocks which marked the entranc
: to the bay and n peak of the distan
spur of the Andes formed their rang
|