Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-06-01
THE LOO1ING OF
A TREASURE SHIP
A Sea Episode In the Harbor
of Rio de Janeiro.

We were lying at anchor In the har-
Dor Of Rio de Janeiro. The night was
hot, but beautiful. To the north were
the lights of the city. Above was the
spang1ed dome, while southwark blazed
the constellation Of the Southern Cross.
We were to sail the next morning for
New York, and 1t was known among
ms that we were to carry 100000 of
gold coin to New York. No one should
have known of this treasure except
the officers. The secret came out in
this way: The men wanted to go
ashore for final spree. The captain,
who was a weak man, in order to ex-
cuse himself for not permitting them
to go told Of the treasure. But the
weakest thing he did was to let them
go after telling them the reason why
they should stay. The captain, the
first mate and Second mate) remain
ed aboard. The captain was smoking
ON the poop deck; the first mate was
pacing the forward deck; l was lean
ing over the gunwale amidships look
ing down into the water. Slipping Off
my clothes, descended by the ladder
and plunged in for a swim.
l was some 200 yards astern when
heard the sound Of oars and, raising
my head. saw a dark object coming
from the city. did not doubt that It
was the boat containing the crew COM
Ing from their spree. l was surprised.
however, that they were so quiet. Usu-
ally ON such occasions they were very
noisy.
started to swim to the ship, but
they reached 1t before me. I heard
the mate sing out Boat ahoyw but
did not hear the answer. The boats
crew climbed the ladder and went
aboard. i heard scuffie, and a mo.
ment later a heavy object dropped in
the water. The tide was going out.
but l Kept ahead of 1t In the direction
OF the ship. Presently something float
ed by me. BY the light of the moon,
which by this time was well ND above
the horizon, / saw the upturned ashen
race OF the first mate. | soon heard
second splash and knew that the can
$1,000 Aia illtt u IdIe.
1t was now all perfectly plain to me
me men who had gone ashore had
been babbling in their CUPS and had
been overheard by some person or DER.
sons who had taken advantage of their
absence to capture the treasure they
mad talked about knew the robbers
mad possession Of the ship, and what
% DO myself l could not determine
Possibly might swim the distance 70
me shore, but didn't like the idea
d leaving these men to make away
WIN the treasure, there being no EVIL
aence OF their identity. While I was
/ heard the anchor chain
taftling through the hawse pipe and
new the captors were intending to
make SAL, or, rather, drift out of. the
narbor, for there was no wind. Ifs
'ened, hoping to hear the sound of
'ars indicating the return Of the crew.
Jun heard no such sound. The shin
rnted toward me stern on, and, not
moving what else to do, chung TO the
0oder. But, realizing that there was
nothing there to support me for anv
ength OF time, let go my hold and
Keeping close under the side of the
mp, waited till the bow drifted to me
men grasped a chain under the how.
'prI- There l was better protected |
rom being seen and might cling for
long while.
when day dawned breeze sprang ]