Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-03

Early dawn found Captain Shaleb
Bains and his first mate digging
shallow trench in the snowy sand of
the islands curving beach. Beside
the trench there lay dripping form
roughly dashed to the Marygold's for
ward hatch.
The mate paused in his digging and
flung aside the empty turtle shell that
had served as a spade He pulled out
knife. cut the lashings nut hurriedly
rolled the inert form into the shallow
grave.
Twas Sweeney" he announced
briefly to the captain. and the big fat
man nodded carelessly.
Whats that stuff out there?" asked
Bains, pointing heavy forefnger.
Broken spars and scraps Of the wa
h-s.'logged tubs you called lifeboats,"
growled the mate.
you ought to be thankful, Peter.
You ought to get down on your knees,
man. because this is all the best luck
you ever had" Bains' fishy eyes al
most glowed with excitement.
Thankful for what? Because the
expedition has failed? We can never
get to Sugar island now"
! Bains smiled triumphantly. We're
on Sugar island this minute" he an
nounced.
The mate stared. Nor he yelled.
"Yes." assured the captain. drawing
water tight metal case from his
pocket. "JuSt look at the map. All
we got to do is to locate the palm I'M
der which the pearls are buried and
wait until somebody comes and takes
US of. Wen be rich, Peter, much
richer than If the pearls had to be di-
vided into eight parts. Its half and
half now"
That evening they sat in the shelter
of huge rock and watched the moon
rising out of ? quiet bosomed ocean.
Both were smoking furiously and say
ing little. 1t had been hard day in
many ways. They had found rather
unpalatable shelfsh and plenty of CO.
coanuts to eat and a tinkling rill of
sweet water. They had not found the
pearls. although they had dug feverish-
~ all around the roots of the giant
palm.
1.-The map says under the largest
PALM" insisted Captain Bains in re-
Spouse to Peters skeptical mood.
1T wasn't there Peter was begin.
ming when all at once he stopped short
and pointed at something dark and
shadowy that approached them out OF
the white beauty of the night.
Whats that?" he gasped.
Alloy, there" plped a feeble voice
from the shadow.
who is it, doomed the deep voice
Of Bains.
"Tis Sweeney" came from the near
ing shadow.
The two men under the rock leapeC
forth and scrambled around to safety
Little thrills Of superstitious horror
chilled their blood.
You lieT quavered Peter barrow
"Sweeney's dead"
1--WE buried him." chimed in Bains.
Then I'm riz from tn dead anC
thankful so to be whn tn waves wash
ed over me there | was tucked ava!
as snug as We Place In grave. 'Twa
rayther premature, may say" Ant
the words were mingled with Dennl
Sweeney's unmiStakable chuckle
, The two men conferred III grumblini
tones.
I'm thankful for tn warrum wei
come extended 10 me, seem I've re
turned from tn grave. It's been Ion
j day TO lay drvin' In tn sun wishi1
for a bite or a sup" 1t was Sweeney
sarcasm that convinced his shipmate
that he had indeed escaped death, bu
the greed OF gain overcame any scru
pies they might otherwise have had.
"Sweeney's dead" insisted Pete
barrow ohstinately. all the terror gon
from bis voice IF you're his ghos
you can keep to yourself. We don
want you around here"
. NO more We don't!' emphasize
. Bains roughly
'Indadem pnTed Sweeney's voice
"And might I ask If US three are Il
only ones saved from tn poor Mari
goidT
"On,y two was saved-Captain Balm
!. and me-" returned Darrow signif
4 cantly.
How about NEEDN'T l countr'
You're dead" Darrow's voice ws
= final
: Twas n legal BURIAL can swea
to it." added Bains pOnderously.
AYE" said the voice OF Sweene,
D "yez can swear till yez black in Il
I face, yes blasphemin' onid pirate, bI
worruds won't Kill Dinnis Sweeney
And the form Of Sweene- reccde
o down the beach. accompanied by yer
Il audible footsteps.
you should have dug IT deeper
complained Captain Baius querulousI
!. as he Joined Darrow In walk aroun
e to the opposite side of the island.
Il How did I know he wasn't dead
demanded Peter Impatiently. Then
worried tones be went on: 81 suppo'
q he'll be WATCHING rs all the time. Me
:. be he'll expect share Of the pearls
e How is be 10 know we're on SuE'
islandT' quer.ei Rains craftiiy. y
wouldn't suspect that we was wrecks
g On the very Island We was bound for
3 Aye. and he better take care
don't suspect" threatened Peter Da