The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-09-18

pressing my contempt for the man.
"Aye, that's plain enough" he an
swered obviously.
"And you see that little wavy line
that runs up from the lagoon over the
top Of what looks like a wall to an
opening in the side?" | continued, de-
termining suddenly to intlame their
minds with the treasure so that they
would give less heed to other things
more important to me.
Eyes, can make that out too"
you see that little cross there?"
Pimball turned around and faced the
others crowding about him in great
and growing excitement.
"Here-lights here" he growled.
The men nearest him showed for
ward with their lanterns Illuminating
the torn sheepskin.
AYE. l can make that out too.
What does it mean?" he asked. after
long stare.
ut means, if there is any truth about
it, that the treasure is Whereabouts.
"What treasure is it?'
1.-THE plumber of Spanish galleon by
pirate ship"
"And how came it to be there on
that island?"
1T was buried in that cave there a
hundred and fifty years ago by one
Philip Wherefore. an English bucca-
neer."
And how came this girl by news
Of it?'
How much of the story they under
stood l could not tell Probably but
little. yet the idea Of the treasure was
real enough undoubtedly.
"And you think there is treasure
there?" asked Pimbail.
Now, Of late had changed my mind,
why. know not. but had. yet it
would not do to tell them that.
II am sure of it." | cried. gold, Sill
| yer, jewels. God knows what. Every
thing to make us rich forever
"And what do you reckon the value
Of it all to be?"
"Oh, several millions Of pounds" |
answered lightly as If the treasure was
so great that a million more or less
was of no moment
"Hurrahr' cried out one old seaman.
and the cabin on the instant was filled
with wild cries. bestial, brutal shouts
AS the sound partially died away I
heard the door back Of me open. Now,
l had purposely so placed myself as
to be between the crowd and the door
The door was opened but little way.
was conscious that she was awake
i and at least was listening.
"You are the only navigator among
u.s. Mister Hampton" began Pimball.
| after the men got measu7ably qaiet
again. land If you are with rs. you
will take the ship there to that island.
away ait! >.nk her ca tae South Amer.
lea coast aud then every man for him.
self with all he can carry"
"Am to he captain?" | asked.
"ThereIl be no captain. Every man
for himself. l say. but me and the
bo's'n's mate, Glibby. will take the
watches in turn. You'll navigate the
ship and whatever is necessary for our
safety we'N do at your order. Is 1t
pnderstood?"
| EYES," said l, under one condition"
I'VE make no conditions" said Pin
ball darkly, I'VE are masters of the
ship. remember, and this is our last
word." Pc. Iii. ...
1T Is not mine," said conposedly,
for had yet the hardest part of the
bargain to drive. ~
well, it's got to be-" said Pimball
menacingly, starting toward me with
the marlinspike he carried
Now, my friend" said I, I'VE might
lust as we'll understand each other.
You can kill me If you want to. It
would be easy enough, but when you
have killed me you have killed your
hast chance at the treasure. You don't
know what latitude or longitude we
hre in now. There Is not one of YOU
that knows enough to take sight or
ITO sail the ship to the island. You are
completely helpless. My life means
the difference between treasure and no
treasure to you. You are smart enough
TO see that. ss 3si s.- Il.
HE speaks right !" said an old 80
Imam ats the back Of the crowd
There speaks ! man Of sense; said