Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-01-15
CHAPTER xII.-(oontinued.)

4hOliOlicorf We nSAtntNf anu Idukuk bhr
regular breathing Of a sleeping man, then
distir guished that Of another, and finally
hear6 some one turn and grunt. In some
inexpllcable way, these men had happened
to camp just above the spot chosen by
Duponceau to hide his chest.
/ scarce dared turn and crawl away
from fear OF waking the sleepers, and so
lay still, wondering If by any chance they
could have already found the treasure, or
II there might yet be an opportunity for
as to remove 1t. Suddenly I felt Rodney
grip my arm. Listen" he breathed.
on In the distance, clear and long, rose
the osprey call. Duponceau was In some
danger.
We wrlggled away from the hemlock,
crawled back through the woods, and
stood erect only when we reached the
edge. There we swept the beach and
what we could zee Of the Ship for signs
OF men, but the shore was still empty
as the desert.
"Shall we run for itT' asked.
NO. said Rodney 'if there are any
men there, they're between us and the
boat, or on the boat we'd best keep close
to the Cliff until we get our bearings"
The advice was good like Indians we
made the fringe Of the woods, keeping In
shadow. When we were forced to leave
this shelter we skirted the cliff, ready to
crouch back at call or to rush forward.
As we neared the shadow OF the head
land we saw figures climb over the rocks
Of the little inland sea and head up the
beach-four men, silhoutted black against
the white sand. and not one of them as
tall ms Duponceau.
'"rhey haven't got him." | whispered /;
"at least, he Is not with them"
That's queer" said Rodney. II haven't
heard a shot fired. They must have
boarded the Ship"
We crossed the causeway, running light
ly, and climbed on board. The deck was
as empty as the beach had been when
we first crossed II. | rushed below and
poked In all the hunks, but not a trace of
Duponceau was to be found. Rodney and
/ stood In the bow and peered across the
rocks. We could see nothing save the
woods and the sky.
"Well," said Islip at last "that takes
the cake. He's vamosed, vanished, cleared
out, and | dare say we'll never see hide
or hair of him again. This things get
ting positively spooky, Selden. Are you
ture that the man was flesh and bloodT p
II certainly thought So" I answered.
"But he came In the middle OF the night,
Where on, earth could he GOT"
Search me" said Rodney. II thought
the adventure was almost too real to be
true. Such things don't happen, you
know-that is, not consecutivsly-within
g days ride of New York" He consider
ed the matter gravely. "But what will
Barbara say IL she finds we haven't kept
by him?"
Il was thinking OF that myself" I an
swered, looking blankly at him.
Isllp broke into a laugh-such an In
fictitious laugh that l couldn't help Joining
him. II dare say we're different In most
ways, Seldom" he said, but we're alike
In one. Well, here's how ~ and he held
out his hand to me.
We shook hands, half seriously, half In
fest, and l took back all the unkind
things had ever thought about him.
We turned and went down the deck on
the outer side OF the mast. | heard Rod
ney exclaim and saw him stop and looA
at the rail where his hand rested
small gold chain was fastened to the edge
He peered over the side, and then, to my
utter Amusement, began to throw off his
clothes.
"What on earth" began, but Rod
ney only chuckled, and finished undress
ing Then from somewhere out In the ses
came the osprey's cry, clear, quavering t
q minor cadence. Islip slipped over tbs
side, crossed the rocks, and Owed int
the waves.
| pulled on the chain and up came &
bundle OF clothes wrapped In Duponceau'i
cloak. Then | understood. and followed
Rodney's example.
Never have | known such a swim nj
that. In the mystery of starlight, through
sea that seemed made of silver. W.
found Duponceau by his cry and followe,
him, resting now and then to hoat on tn
silver surface, and again racing hand owe
hand out through the mystery. We wer
no longer men, but free sea creatures. il
our own element, undismayed.
We swan in a great circle, and at las
Duponceau led us back to the Ship. Da
was breaking far out, beyond the Shiftin
Shoal. al saw them coming" he said
"and so l hung my clothes from the sid
and took to the waves. They found moth
ing; perchance now they think me
ghost"
We told him our experience in search
ing for the chest, and be showed grea
deal Of perturbation, but finally came t
the wise conclusion that we could do moth
ing In regard to II then.
1t was my turn below, and fell asleeI
In glorious glow from the swim, just a
the sky was shading pink.
CHAPTER XIII.
When / awoke ! found Rodney seate
on the cabin table.
Morning, Selden 70 he exclaimed. "B
the way, who is Monsieur Duponceau"
I shook my head. II gave that quei
ton us some time ago. How about breal
fastT
II was thinking Of that myself" sal
Rodney. II don't mind being hero, bJ
l prefer to play the part on full ston
ach."
"I'n signal Charles." / went up o
deck, and found that the sun WAS big
up, and shining on a glorious summ'