The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-09

like the mystery contained there
ind.
We have all Of US puzzled over
old maps and codes, but l feel that
have had more than my share Of
pleasure in this way and have f.
nally decided to call on my broth
er Scouts to assist me in solving
the puzzle code which my mother
found while captive OF Kelley,
the pirate chief, on small island
in the South Seas.
Dull it may prove to you, but ]
have found it lively enough. But
to get on with the story. The Vest
way will be for me to tell 1t to you
as It has been told to me many
times by my mother.
Business being rather slack,
Captain Harper was induced to
sign a contract with one of the
South American governments to
carry rich treasure cargo to Eu-
rope. The Nellie Harper" was
the name Of his ship, which was
the latest thing in sailing vessels
OF the time. He had named 1t
after his 19-year-oId daughter, who
was to accompany him on this trip.
Also his son, Elmer usually called
Ell, and his chum, Don Harper,
though no relation to the Captains
family, were to go as passengers.
Over and above the officers and
passengers, the crew numbered
IS. After the treasure was all
stored, every one was given a
days liberty, as this would be the
last time for many a day that they
would see land. Don, Ell, and Mel
lie procured a carriage and drove
to the outskirts of the city. Great
field of grain greeted them, as this
was the harvest time and the Bob
White and other birds everywhere
sang them their sweetest songs, as
they seemed to realize that they
were going away.
Youth will be served, and after
the journey began the three young
folks found many ways to amuse
themselves. It was on the seven
teenth day out that FL, at the top
of the mainmast, discovered sail
ahead and to starboard. He called
down ship ahoy" to the Captain,
who inquired, Where away?" Ell
replied that it was about eight
points to starboard He had his
binoculars focused on the distant
ship and its appearance seemed to
send a chill through him. Eel hard
" knew what to make Of this feel
ing, but when he made out the
symbol on its flag he came more
nearly falling to deck than he did
climbing. He went to his father
on the bridge and told him that
the ship few the skull and cross
bones" on its black flag.
Captain Harper, after verifying
this report, Immediately ordered t
the decks cleared for action, and all
was Immediately hustle and hustle.
Men were everywhere h0llerin'
and yelling with excitement. One
of the sailors remarked to his
mate, Just wait till we get in de
fray den well have all de excite
ment we want"
Every moment the pirate ship
came closer. The Captain had the
small boats prepared for emer-
gency. Then the pirates be-
gan coming toward the Nellie
Harper" in their small boats, and
the four-pounder under the Cap
tain's directions began firing on
them.
Commencing at this point my
mother (who is none other than
Nellie Harper) will never talk of
what occurred. and my father has
onl told me the merest details. In
the confusion every one was mixed
up. A shell from the four-pounder
disabled the Skeleton" and left
her in sinking condition, but all
her crew were In the small boats.
The men Of the Nellie Harper"
were too greatly outnumbered and
finally the Captain gave the order
TO take to the boats and try to
escape to the island several miles
70 mort. Fl would have gone for