The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-14
CHAPTER XIV.
Wherein We Are BeIeasuered In tn

/ id not occur to US for single
moment that the SayageS had any
knowledge of the treasure and
that they could be after that
Not Cor the thousandth part of sec
oni did | dream that the savageS We're
led by Pimball, Glibby and most of
tue other seamen of the Rose of Devon.
| did not know then that the Rose of
Devon had gone ashore in the terrific
storm have described. or that there
had been battle with the savages. who
SOUGHT to plunder the ship. but were
prev cnted at frightful loss to the isIapd-
prs w no were unable to contend success
fully against the firearms with which
tn" ship WAS abundantly provided A
mc:nS Of communication between the
ship aid the shore had been found sub
SeGu"ntIy through one of the seamen
who had sailed the south seas The saw
aces had been told of the treasure, of
which indeed they had some dim tradi
tons from days gone by: they also
held the cave as one Of their most So
God spots. scarcely less sacred than
the great altar on the hillock in the
center Of the island for what reason |
cannot tell Some of this | learned att
erwarf from our ASSISTANTS. and mHck
Of it diviupd on reflection on our VOy
age homewa-li.
by some persuasion. | know not
what pimbIll and Glibhy had wen
them over. Together they had Cv@Im-
lied an expedition to come ana seize
us ard take the treasure. The Rose ~
Devon | guessed was not badly dan-
aged and cou easily he made sea
worthy
We sat silent III the cave for Il lonG
time | had not lighted the lantern
we had left there ut our last visit. and
some of the light of the dying day iii
tered through from the outside cave
There was nothing that we needed
light for We sat close together on the
remains of one of the chests to prOtect
Us from the damp sand always car
ricd with me Il flask of spirits Not
that | am drinking man: left and
still leave that practice TO the gallants
of the day. but have often found it
useful i'll some dire emergency, and as
Mistress Lucy shivered in the chill.
damp air | heartened her and strength
ened her with Il dram.
As it was summer and not far from
the line. bad not brought the boat
cloak with rs. had not even worn
my sailor jacket, but my WaiStcoat
was heavy and warm. and | WAS
thankful that | had it. | took it Oft
and. despite her protestations. slipped
it on her. In girth it was big enough
TO encircle her twice. which was all
the better for her comfort. | drew it
around 10 cover her breast with a dOu-
Die fold. and with a length of line |
had in my pocket | made it fast. We
sat close together and talked in low
whispers. and thrilled at the contact
of her sweet presence in spite of our
peril.
How long we talked or how long
we waited | have no means of telling
1t grew dark in the cave very early.
and when ventured into the outside
room after what seemed an intermin
able wait. | found night had fallen
felt pretty sure that we need appre
bend no attack that night, and yet it
was necessary TO keep watch. so !
proposed that one OF us should sleep
while the other listened Naturally
she was the first to take rest 1t was
too damp and cold to lie down on the
sand. so | Wed@ed myself against one
of the least rOtted of the chests. whose
shape had been kept intact by the
pile of gold ana silver bars. and some
what hesitatingIy offered her the shell
ter of my arms.
"Madam." | said. with all the for
mality | could muster YOU must have
sleep, You cannot lie upon this damp
sand. and it is bad enough TO sit upon
it. but upon my shoulder and within
the support of my arms you shall have
rest swear TO you
Swear net" she replied. coming
closer to NE, Il trust you. and if |
am to sleep know that will be safe
within your arms"
LAS my sister. had I one, or as my
mother were she here will support
You" said |.
Before she closed her eyes she made
her evening prayer for herself and for
me. and then she made me promise
that would awaken her when |
judged il 10 be midnight, and, upon my
promise. without more TO do she
nestled down ana went to sleep. her
head uron my shoulder.
Surely. never had man greater com
pi!melt paid him than / by that maid
that night.
=; there igotion!e<<. my barred