The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-05

you'd be going to sea this winter"
Neither did l. But come below"
Blake hcsitated. With your permits
| sion, sir, think maybe would better
| meet my officers first. and take a look
| over the crew It'll be matter OF an
hour or 50. and may save n good bit OF
| time later
"Of course! II you think best. Cap
tam. Let me know when YOU are ready"
IN hour later Blake tapped at the
door Of Spotswood's cabin, and the two
| men sat down.
Spotswood explained the circum-
stances. Iie trusted Blake to the utter
most and usually advised with him as
to his movements, though he did not al
ways take the captains advice. Spots
wood, like many other people asked adj
vice chiefly with the hope OF being con-
flrmed in previously formed opinions
Blake listened quietly to the tale.
Sure! it's Il romance it Is" he COM
mcntcd. and I'm not wondering at all
that you're jumping AT it. Pirates and
treasure and mysterious soldiers of for
tune and all-faith. there's nothing
lacking. to make the fine tale of it,"
face fell a little. Then you don't think
much of it al?" he asked.
oh! AS to that" Captain Blake
pulled out short pipe and lighted it.
AS to that'-puff. puff-"as to that I'm
not saying. Beyond a doubt there's lots
Z.
and maybe your man Nesbit really has
CHANGED on some OF it. But II you ask
my advice"
Il do! Captain. probably shan't
take it. but l should like to have it.
What is your advice"
Blake pokcd thoughtfully into the
bowl Of his pine You're not knowing
very much OF this Captain Nesbit, are
you now. SIR" he asked.
Very little Asshc brought him to
hat .,1,. I,t,
Well. sir. haven't seen much Of him,
OF course. but / wouldn't be stalking very
much on this tale Of his Not but what
he may believe it himself. hut I'm not
liking the look in his eye and that's the
truth Of it. It's half crazy he looks to
met"
He docs look widowed" admitted
| Spotswood. Hes been getting more so
| every day! But it's only natural that
| he should. He must be laboring under
tremendous strain. I'm excited my
| self. and think what he must be! AS
for stalking much on his story, I'm not!
| The cost of the whole trip won't worry
me seriously even if it's total loss"
Very well. sir. But you asked my
advice and I'm giving it. It's chuck the
whole thing | would If We're YOU
Il can't do that. cal plain. wouldn't
il could. and, anyhow, I've passed my
word"
80? That's different. Then, sir, I'd
not lcaVe port TIL had discharged the
most Of this crew and shipped fresh
lot in their places"
Why"
Blake sucked his pipe till a cloud OF
smoke cncirclcd his head It's queer
lot We have on board. sir he declared,
finally * mighty queer lot The
most Of them are not sailors at all. at
all It's wharfrats they are Did you
say your friend Asshc hired them?"
Not exactly. He got them through
boarding house master he knew. He
thought they were an exceptionally fine
lot"
The captain nodded. Its fooled he
was. Mr.. Asshc is a clever gentleman,
hut it's no judge he is OF sailors. I'm
not saying that there are no honest
boarding house masters. I'm only say
ing I've never met one. Still. they're
not so much to blame. Sailors are
mighty scarce in New York at this
time Of the year. and who's to blame
n boarding house Keeper if he fills up
the crews any WAY he can, depending on
the officers to get the work out OF the
joSiins he ships. Most times it works
all right. But this is no crew at all for
treasure bunting"
SpotSWood laughed. They won't NIL