Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-04-14
CHAPTER XXX

HAD plenty OF time to run
away. l do not know why
did not do so, but the fact
~ stands that / remained where
! was until they had finished Captain
selover. Then took to my heels, but
was soon cornered. l drew my revolv-
er, remembered that l had emptied it
In the seal cave and had time for no
more coherent mental processes. A
smothering weight flung itself on me,
against which struggled as hard as
l could, shrinking in anticipation from
the thirsty plunge of the knives. How
ever, though the weight increased I'M
til further struggle was impossible, 1
was not harmed and in few moments
found myself, wrists and ankles tied,
beside n roaring fire. While collected
myself heard the CRATE of boat be-
ing showed Off from the cove and a
few moments later made out lights
aboard the Laughing Lass.
The looting party returned very
shortly. Their plundering had gone
only as far as liquor and arms. Thrac-
kles let down from the cliff top key
Mt the end of line. Perdosa and the
niger each carried an armful of the
30-40 rifles. The keg was rolled to the
fire and preached.
The men got drunk. wildly drunk.
but not helplessly SO. A flame commu-
nicated itself to them through the
liquor. The ordinary characteristics of
their composition sprung into sharper
relief. The niger became more sullen,
Perdosa more snakelike, Pull more
viciously evil. Thrackles more brutal,
while Handy Solomon. staggering
from his seat to the open key and back
again, roaring fragments of a chanty,
his red headgear contrasting with his
smoky black hair and his swarthy hook
nosed conference.-the needed no fur
Their touch.
Their evil passions were all awake.
and the plan. so long indefinite, deyel-
oped like photographers plate.
That's one gone," said Thrackles.
"And now the diamonds" muttered
Pull
There's ship upon the windward, a
wreck upon the lee,
Down. on the coast Of the high Bar
bare-e-e,"
roared Handy Solomon. Its the best
nights work we ever did. The stuff's
ours. Then it's me for big stone
house in Frisco Or
Frisco" sneered Pulz. THAT'S all
you know. You ought to travel. Paris
for me and little girl to learn the
language FROM"
II get heem a fine caballo an fine
saddle an fine clos" breathed Perdosa
sentimentally. II ride and the silver
Jingle and the senorita look
What you want, doctor?" they de-
manded of the silent niger.
But the niger only rolled his eyes
and shook his head. BY and by he
arose and disappeared in the dusk and
was no more seen.
% foolw muttered Handy Solo,
mon. "Well, here's to crimev'
He drank deep cup of the raw
rum and staggered back to his seat on
the sands.
I" 7 am not man-o'-war. nor a priva-
teer' said he.
Blow high. blow low; what care we!
But am jolly pirate, and I'm sailing
for my fee,'
Down on the coast Of the high Bar
bare-e-e,"
he sang. We'll land in Valparaiso
and Wen go every man his way, and
We'll sink the old Laughing Lass so
deep the mermaids can't find her.
Thrackles piled on more wood, and
the fire leaped high.
Lets get after 'em," said he
"Tomorrow's jes' s good" muttered
Pull. LES hav' mother drink"
well stay here N see if our OF
frien' Percy don show up" said Han
dy Solomon. He threw back his head
and roared forth a volume of sound
toward the dim stars.
"Broadside to broadside the gallant ships
did lay.
Blow high. blow low; what care we!
Till the jolly man-o'-war shot the pirates
mast away,
Down on the coast of the high Bar
bare-e-e'
saw near me a live coal dislodged
from the fire when Thrackles had