The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-28

WdGu WILL JnOII ldnI0ruS the torn sheepskin.
 "Aye. I can make that out too. What does 1t mean P he asked, after a long stare.
 ''It means, if there is any truth about it, that the treasure Is whereabouts"
 "What treasure is it?" t%The plunder of a Spanish galIeon by a pirate shtp.'
 And how came it to be there on that 1sIand?'
 ''It was buried in that cave there a hundred and fifty years ago by one Philip Wilberforce, an English bucca- neer.'
 And how came this girl by news of ftP'
 How much of the story they under stood I could not tell. Probably but little, yet the idea of the treasure was real enough undoubtedly.
 ''And you think there is treasure there?'' asked Pfmba1l.
 Now, of late had changed my mind, why, I know not, but I had, yet 1t would not do to tell them that.
 q am sure of it, I cried, gold, sil- yer, Jewels, God knows what. Every thing to make us rich forever
 "And what do you reckon the value of 1t all to bel"
 "Oh, several millions of pounds I answered lightly as if the treasure was so great that a million more or less was of no moment.
 "Hurrah!' 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 heard the door back of me open Now, ' ho6 ToJo Sa1f to be between the crowd and the door. The door was opened but a little way. was conscious that she was awake and at least was listening.
 "You are the only navigator among us, Mister Hampdon,'' began Pimball, after the men got measurably quiet again, t'and if you are with us,> you will take. the ship there to that island. We'll git the treasure aboard, sail away and sink her on the South Amer lea coast and then every man for him. self with all he can carry"
 s'Am I to be captain?" asked
 ''There'll be no captain. Every man for himself, I 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'll do at your order. Is it understood?" ?"
 ''Yes," said I, under one condition
 eve make no conditions,'' said Ptm- ball darkly, we are masters of the ship, remember, and this is our last word.''
 'It is not -mine," said I composedly, for I had yet the hardest part of the bargain to drive.
 Well, it's got to be- said Pimbal menacingly, starting toward me with the marlinspike he carried.
 Now, my friend" said I, i've might just as well understand each other. You can kill me if you swant to. It would be easy enough, but when. you have killed me you have killed your last chance at the treasure. You don't know what latitude or longitude we are in now. There is not one of you that knows enough to take a sight or to 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
 ''He speaks right said an old sea man at the back of7the crowd.
 'There speaks man of sense,'' said I. Therefore you will hear my condi- tions and accede to then.''
 "Heave ahead,',E said Pimba1 rough ly enough, evidently not liking the sit uatton, but failing utterly to see how it could be amended since I complete ly held the whip hands of them all.
 What I stipulate is very simple. First of all, I am to have my full and equal share of thes treasure with the rest I am to be- treated exactly like the others inathe division, and my life and liberty, which are just as valuable to me as to any ofsyou, are to be treat ed with respect, as I respect those of others.''
 ''Why. we told you. that in the first place. growled out the boatswain. If that's all you've got to say"-
 ''The woman!"
 "Ah, the womanY' said Pimball slowly.
 what had you proposed to do with her7'' I asked.
 l 'fWhy-er-I-er,'' the man faltered. He actually did not dare to say what had been in his mind, and I've no doubt that my pistol never looked big ger than it did when quietly laid my | hand on it.
 It was probable that the others had not as yet decided what was to be done with her, whatever Pimball may have concluded. I took advantage, there fore, of their hesitation and pushed the matter to speedy conclusion. "Wen,'' said quickly, 'I want her for myself" Did hear a groan in the cabin back of me? If I did, could l not afford to hesitate. I could not let 1 them hear. You saw how she treated me,'' I cried, raising my voice and banging on the table. "She struck me. She had me imprisoned want her to be given over to me alone.''
 But began Pimball, not relishing the abandonment of this prize which he had evidently marked for his own. To pe Continued.l l HeIning a Woman