The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-13


Now there were not so many OF
them-perhap three or four handfuls-
not nearly enough to fill the casket
figured that it had been Il jewel box
with little trays or drawers and that
the stones had been wrapped separate
ly but had all fallen together when
the partitions rOtted away. | easily
found room for them in the capaciOus
side pockets Of my coat. and then we
turned back to the outer room. Pass
ing by the hideOuS altar. we gained the
light 1t WAS now late in the after
noon. we found to our surprise.
We had spent hours over the treas
ure and We had just time to retrace
our steps and get back to the boat on
the beach ana partale of our evening
meal when night fell As we sat by
the fire that night made little bags
out of piece of canvas taken from
Il bread bag and we put the jewels into
them. dividing them into equal parts.
One bag she Wore constantly thereaf-
ter on her person and the other. She
insisted that the rough and ready divi-
sion we had made was permanent:
that the bag carried belonged to me
and the bag she carried belonged to
her But | refused to have it so in
spite of her argument. and there we
left it,
During the next two or three days
we Ieisurely explored the island. There
was nothing else on it to see which
merits any particular description. We
did not again visit the central hill, nor
did we enter any other cave. We did
not even 80 near the treasure cave
again. On the contrary. we kept to
the open. We chose to live near the
sea on the beach. which was high
above all tides and which was remov-
ed from the charnel spots which made
mockery of the sylvan groves with
in the walls. The island was we'll pro-
yided with tropical fruits. many being
good for food. as | knew. We caught
fish in the lagoon and turtle on the
sand. We lacked nothing to make us
comfortable. even happy. except the
means of escape.
We spent our days in trying to de-
wise some means of getting across the
reef and back home again-that is.
when | was not idly lying at the feet
or following the footsteps of the wo-
man | loved. didn't want to get
away. so far as | was concerned. |
didn't care whether we ever got away.
| had wit enough not to let her see.
not to let her suspect that for Il mo-
ment. however. and tried to convince
her by my conduct toward her that my
kissing her on the ship had been but
| momentary madness. but learned lat
er that | failed lamentably. She says
now that n baby could see that | was
dying for her. and | suppose it is true,
but ut least didn't say anything. Aft
er that outbreak in the cave | kept ST
Ience.
Late one afternoon we stood at the
head of the stairs looking seward
We had come from a long ramble
| throughout the cup of the island. and
as we stood on the top our gaze rs
usual instinctively turned toward the
sea. perhaps seeking for the sail of
some rescuing ship. The water was
| 'lack with great savage war canoes.
"Eedt sTOtl. ioch HoiiNttl
II see. | seer' she cried in turn
who can they be-"
jewellers from the other islands to
| the westward" | answered.
They could not see us yet. fortunate
| ly: but. after all. that mattered little
Ny little lady lid not seem to be near
ly as disturbed as |.
The reef will protect u.s." she said
at last. looking at me confidently.
Not for moment. | answered
They will ride that reef in those light
canoes more easily than We did
And you think she instantly be
gan.
Our lives are in Gods hands. If |
know anything these will be ferocious.
! bloodthirsty savages. See. They are
armed
! pointed to one tall brown man.
who stood up in the bow of the nearest
canoe. tlourishing a broad bladed spear.
! We must hide" she said.
/ But where: They will search the
island
/ In the treasure cave. she answered.
And indeed that was the most likely
spot We had brought but little W.
Us that afternoon. | had thrust a brace
! Of pistols in my belt. and she her-''!
/ by my advice. always carried her TIVE
small ones. and | had my sword and
AK. but everything else was in the boat
I OH the beach. For Il moment | thought
/ of running down there and getting
! some of our things. but as | half turn
ed To descend the stairs she detained
! me-. divinng my purpose.
| No. no" she urged. claSping my
arm with both hands. We must make
shift with what wa have parhanS