Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-07-17
Book III.
cHAPTER D.
Once More in John saunders Snug.

Once More IN John Saunderv Snug
Need ! say that it was a 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,
blood-lapping ghosts, card-playing
skeletons and such like? e,
. My friends listened to my yarn In
characteristic fashion, John Saunders
eyes like mice peeping out Of cup
board, and charlie Webster's huge
bulk poised almost threatening, as it
were, with the keenness Of his atten-
ton. His deep-set kind brown eyes
glowed like a boys as I went on, but
by their dangerous kindling at certain
points Of the story, those dealing with
cur pockmarked friend. Henry p. To
bias, Jr., I soon realized where, for
him, the chief interest Of the story
lay. f
s'The -. rebell" he roared out
once or twice, using an adjective pc
culIarly English.
For him my story had but one moral
the treason Of Henry r. Tobias, Jr.
The treasure might as well have had
no existence. SO far as he was con-
6erned, and the grim climax In the
cave drew nothing from him bht 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. az "
II must say you two are great aa-
dience." I said presently, perhaps
rather childishly nettled.
TITS 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 II for
getting me. Something should be
done about 1t, eh, Charlie?'' he con-
tinued. IA.
& e "-- traitor!" reared Charlie, once
more employing that British adjective.
And then he turned to me:
e Look here, old pal, I'll make a bar
gain with you. II you like. i suppose
you're keen for that other treasure
now, eh7''
!. Il am" said !, rather stihly. 4
swell, then, FIJI 60 after 1t with
you on one condition. You can keep
the treasure, If you'll give me Tobias.
Il would do my heart good to get him,
as you had the chance Of doing that
afternoon. whatever were you doing,
to miss hima" 4.
II proposed to myself the satisfac-
ton Of making good that mistake" I
said, "on our next meeting. I feel I
owe it to the poor. old captain.'' !.
"Neyer mind; hand the captains
rights over to me-and I'll help you
all I know with your treasure. Be
sides, Tobias is a fob for an English
.man-eh, John7 les matter Of king
and country with me. With .you It
would be mere private vengeance.
With me It will be an execution; with
you it would be q murder. Isn't that
60. Johnf'
q Exactly" John nodded.
'Since you were away" Charlie be-
gan again. I've 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 q holiday due me
In about a fortnight. Say the word,
and the Flamingo's yours for a couple
Of months, and her captain too. I I
make only that one condition"
"All right. Charlie" agreed. 'hs's
yours. : s8