The Raymer enterprise., 1919-09-25


under twenty tons. with an auxiliary
gasoline engine OF "a horse power.
and an alleged speed Of ten knotA
Next, the crew.
"Yon will need captain. a coos. in
engineer and a deckhnnd." said Char
lie. "and | have the captain and the
cook all ready for you"
That afternoon we rounded them
all up, including the engineer and the
deckhand. and we arranged to start.
weather permitting, with the morning
tide. which set east at six O'Clock on
July 13, 1903.
Ships stores were tho next detail.
and these. including afty gallons OF
gasoline, over and above the tanks
and three barrels Of water, being duly
got aboard. on the evening Of July
II all was ready for the start; an eve
ming which was naturally spent In a
parting conclave In John Saunders
snuggery.
"Why. one important thing you've
forgotten" said Charlie. "Machetes-
and spades and pickaxes. And I'd
take few sticks OF dynamite along
with you too. l can let you have the
lot. Well get them aboard tonight"
TITS pity you have to give 1t
away that It's treasure hunt said
John, "but then you can't keep the
crew from knowing. And they're a
queer lot on the subject of treasure.
have some OF the rummIest supersti-
tlons. ! hope you won't have any
trouble with them"
Had any experience In handling
nggers7" asked Charlie.
Not the least"
THAT makes me wish / were coming
with you. They are rum beggars. Aw-
full towards, and just like a pack Of
children. You know about sailing
anyhow. That's good thing. You
can captain your own boat. II need be.
That's all to the good. Particularly
II you strike any dirty weather. But
let me give you one word OF advice
Be kind, OF course, with them-but
keep your distance all the same. And
be careful about losing your temper
You get more out Of them by coax
ing-hard us II is. at times. And. by
the way. how would you like to take
old Sailor with you7"
sailor was a great Labrador re-
trlever, who at that moment turned up
his big head with devoted sigh from
behind his masters chair.
Rather" | said. So "Sailor" was
thereupon enrolled as a further addl-
tlon to the crew.
"Od Tom." the cook, was first on
hand next morning. took to him at
once. A simple. kindly old "darky" of
"Uncle Toms Cabin" type, with faith
funess written all over him, and a GER
tain sad wisdom In his old face.
you'll find Tom a great cook" said
Charlie. patting the old man on the
shoulder. MANY trip we've taken
together after duck, haven't we, Tomi"
That's right. sub. That's right"
said the old man, his eyes twinkling
with pleasure.
Then came the captaln-Capt. Jabez
Wllliams-a younger man, with an in
telllgent, self-respectlng manner, some.
what noncommittal. buslnessllke, EVIL
IDENTIFY not particularly anxious as to
whether he pleased or not, but looking
competent and civil enough.
Next came the engineer. young
hulking bronze giant, splendid phys
teal specimen, but rather heavy and
sullen and not oyer-intelligent to look
at The deckhand proved TO be a
shackly, rather silly, effemlnate fellow,
suggesting idiocy, but doubtless wiry
and good enough for the purpose.
While they were busy getting up the
anchor of the Maggie Darling went
down into my cabin TO arrange various
odds and ends. and presently came the
captain. touching his hat.
There's party" he said, "outside
here wants to know II you'll take HIM
passenger to Spanish Wells"
Were not taking passengers" l an.
swered, "but l will look him over"
A man was standing up in row.
boat, leaning against the ships side.
You'd do me great favor, SIR" he
began to say In soft, ingratlatlng
voice
| looked at him with a start Of rec
ognltlon. He was my pockmarked
friend. who had made such an unpleas.
ant impression on me at John Saun.
ders' office. He was rather more gen
tlemanly looking than he had seemed
at the first view, and l saw that,
though he was a halfbreed the white
blood predomlnated.
81 don't want to intrude," he said,
'but | have urgent need Of getting to
Spanish Wells, and there's no boat go.
Ing that way for week. I've just
missed the mall"
81 didn't think Of taking any passen-
gers" | said.
Il know he said. II know lis q
great favor ask" He spoke with a
certain cultivation of manner. "But
| am willing Of course to pay anything