Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-02
Book II.
CHAPTER I.

Once More In John Saunders snuo-
gerry.
Need say that 1t was q great occa-
sion when / was once more back safe
In John Saunders snuggery, telling my
story to my two friends, John and
Charlie Webster, all just as If had
never stirred from my easy chair, In
stead Of having spent an exciting
month or so among sharks, dead men,
biood-lapping ghosts, card-playing
skeletons and such like7
My friends listened to my yarn In
characteristic fashion, John Saunders
eyes like mice peeping out Of q cup
board, and Charlie Webster's huge
bulk poised almost threatening. as 1t
were, with the keenness of his atten-
ton. His deep-set kind brown eyes
glowed like boys as went on, but
by their dangerous kindling at certain
points Of the story, those dealing with
our pockmarked friend, Henry P. To-
bias, Jr., I soon realized where, for
him. the chief interest Of the story
lay.
'The - rebelw he roared out
once or twice, using an adjective pc
culiarly English.
For him my story had but one moral
the treason of Henry P. Tobias, Jr.
The treasure might as well have had
no existence, so far as he was con-
cerned, and the grim climax In the
cave drew nothing from him but q pre-
occupied nod. And John Saunders
was little more satisfactory. Both of
them allowed me to end In silence.
They both seemed to be thinking
deeply.
II must say you two are a great au-
dience," said presently, perhaps
rather childishly nettled.
''Its very serious matter" said
John Saunders. and / realized that 1t
was not my crony but the secretary to
the treasury of his Britannia majes-
tvs government at Nassau that was
talking. AS he spoke he looked across
at Charlie Webster, almost as If for
getting me. Something should be
done about 1t. eh, Charlie?" he con-
tinued.
g. traitor" roared Charlie, once
more employing that British adjective.
And then he turned to me:
Look here, old pal, I'll make bar
gain with you. If you like. suppose
you're keen for that other treasure
now, chr"
81 am" said I, rather stif1y.
swell, then, I'll go after 1t with
you-on one condition. You can keep
the treasure. If you'll give me Tobias.
1t would do my heart good to get him,
as you had the chance of doing that
afternoon. Whatever were you doing
to miss him?"
81 proposed to myself the satisfac-
ton of making good that mistake" /
said, ION our next meeting. feel
owe 1t to the poor old captain"
"Never mind; hand the captains
rights over to me-and I'll help you
all 1 know with your treasure. Be
sides, Tobias is a job for an English
man-eh, John? It's a matter of king
and country with me. With you it
would be mere private vengeance.
With me 1t will be an execution; with
you 1t would be a murder. Isn't that
so, John?"
"I'xactly," John nodded.
"Since you were away" Charlie be-
gan again, "Pve bought the prettiest
yawl you ever set eyes on-the Fla
mingo-forty-five over all, and this
time the very fastest boat in the har-
Dor. Yes! she's faster even than the
Susan B. Now I've holiday due me
In about fortnight. Say the word.
and the Flamingos yours for couple
of months, and her captain too. /
make only that one condition"
"All right, Charlie" 1 agreed; "he's
yours"
Whereat Charlie shot out a huge
paw like q shoulder Of mutton and
grabbed my hand with as much fervor
as though I had saved his life or done
him some other unimaginable kind
ness. And as he did so his broad.
sweet smile came back again. He was
thinking of Tobias.
While Charlie Webster was arrang-
ing his affairs so that he might be
able to take his holiday with a free
mind l busted myself with provision
ing the Flamingo, and in casually chat
ting with one and another along the
water front, In the hope Of gathering
some hint that might guide us on our
coming expedition. I thought 1t pos
sible, too, that chance might thus
bring me some information as to the
recent movements of Tobias.
In this way made the acquaintance
of several old salts, both white and
black, one or two of whom time and
their neighbors had invested with
legendary SAVIOR of the old "wrecking
days." which, If rumor speaks true,
are not entirely vanished from the
remoter corners of the Islands. But
either their romantic halos were en-
tirely due to Imaginative gossip. or
they themselves we're too shrewd to
be drawn, for / got nothing OUT Oh
them to my purpose.