Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-12

Spanish doubloons and pearls and diamonds
and rubes 1t was mighty hard not to say
these words out loud, too; blare them into
the sullen faces grouped about the table He
was off watch till midnight and he was won.
dering if he could get the box without attract
ing the attention of the lookout, who had a
devilish keen eye for everything that stirred
on deck or on water WE'LL he would have to
risk it; but he would wait till full darkness
had fallen over the sea and the lookout would
be compelled to keep his eyes off the deck.
The boys wanted him to play cards.
" Not for me. Busted. How long d v
think $40 II last in New York. anyhow"
And he stalked out of the fo-ecastle and went
down into the waist to enjoy his evening pipe,
all the while keeping weather eye forward,
at the Hatty old pilot house.
1t was 10 o'clock, land time, when he
rammed his Guilty into pocket and resolute-
ly walked forward. If any one watched him
they would think he was only looking down
the cutwater. The thought of money and the
pleasures it will buy makes cunning the stu
pidest of dolts; and Steve was ordinarily a
for all purposes. 1t was hazardous job to
get the box off the 1uke without letting it slip
back into the sea. Steve. however. accom-
plished the feat climbed back on the rail and
sat down, waiting. A quarter of an hour
passed. No one had seen him. With his coat
securely wrapped about his precious find he
made for the forecastle. His mates, save those
xrhz lo.r kl,..-
hunks An oil lamp dimly illuminated the
forward partition. Steve's bunk was almost
i'll darkness. Very deftly he rolled back the
bedding and secreted the box under his pill
lows, and then stretched himself out with the
pretense of snoozing till the bell called him to
duty
He was rich; and the moment man has
money he has troubles: there is always some
one who wants to take It away from you.
His bunk was on the port side and there was
plenty OF hiding space between the iron plates
and the wooden partition. He intended to
loosen three or four planks and then when
the time came, slip the box behind them.
Some time during the morning the forecastle
would be empty, and then would be his time.
during his four hours watch. Supposing some
fool should go rummaging about his bunk and
discover the box? Suppose But he
dared not suppose There was nothing to do
but wait If he created any curiosity on the
part of his mates he was lost. He would have
to divide with them ALL from the captain down
to the cooks boy. 1t was a heart-rending
hi A.
man aboard, he became the most cunning.
From being a man without enemies, he saw
an enemy even in his shadow.
At O'Clock he turned in and slept like a
log
Ir the morning he found his opportunity
For half an hour the forecastle was empty of
all save himself. Feverishly he pried back the
boards, found the brace BEAM and gently laI
the box there. 1t was mighty curious look
ing box. Once he had stocked up the Chinese
coast from the Philippines, and he Judged it
to be Chinese in origin. He tried to pry open
the cover and feast his eyes upon the treasure
but under the leather and ivory and mother
OF pearl was impervous steel. 1t would take
an ak or crowbar to stir that lid. He sighed.
appearances his stolid self again
But all the way down to the Bahamas he
was moody, and when he answered any ques-
tion it was with words spoken testify and
jerkily.
know whut's tn matter" said Dunkers.
" He's in love-"
Shut your mouth"
Didn't tell yuh?" laughed the tantalizer,
dancing toward the companionway Steves
in love, r he didn't git drunk enough on shore
t satisfy his whales belly!"
boot thudded spitefully against the door
jamb.
." You felahs let me alone, r I'll bash in
couple o. heads!"
20. yuh will. will yuh?" cried Dunkers
from the deck. If yuh want little exer-
else, yuh can begin on me. yuh moonsick
swab! Whut's tn matter with yuh. anyhow?
Where'd yuh git this srOuch7 whut've we