The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-06-26

uhueftake IL i am not going to let
your middle-aged skepticism discour-
age me. Treasure or no treasure
there will be the excitement Of the
quest. and all the fun Of the sea-"
"And some duck perhaps" added
Charlie.
"And some shark fishing for Ger.
tain" said John.
The :ext thing was to set nbout
getting boat and crew.
After looking over much likely and
unlikely craft we finally decided on
a twomasted schooner Of trim but
solid build, the Maggie Darling, AZ
feet over all and 13 beam; something
under twenty t,ns, with an auxiliary
gasoline engine OF "a horse power,
and an alleged speed Of ten knots.
Next, the crew.
"You will need n captain, a cook, an
engineer and deckhand," said Char
tie. "and I 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, 1908.
Ships stores were the next detail,
and these, including fifty gallons of
gasoline. over and above the tanks
and three barrels of water, being duly
got aboard. on the evening Of July
IL 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. 1 can let you have the
lot. Wen get them aboard tonight"
It's pity you have to give It
away that It's q treasure hunt" said
John, "but then you can't keep the
crew from knowing. And they're n
queer lot on the subject Of treasure,
have some Of the rummiest supersti-
tions. 1 hope you won't have any
trouble with them"
Had any experience in handling
niggers2" asked Charlie.
Not the least"
THAT makes me wish were coming
With you. They are rum beggars. Aw-
ful towards. and just like a pack of
rhildren. You know about sailing
anyhow. That's a good thing. You
,an captain your own boat, If need be.
That's nll to the good. Particularly
tP 1frilra frfx
let me give you one word Of advice:
he kind, Of course. with them-but
keep your distance all the same. And
he careful about losing your temper
You get more out of them by conx-
ing-hard as 1t is, at times. And, by
the way, how would you like to take
old Sailor with your"
"Sailor" was great Labrador re-
triever, who Mt that moment turned up
his big head with n devoted sigh from
behind his masters chair.
"Rather," said. So "Sailor" was
thereupOn enrolled as n further addi-
ton to the crew.
"Old 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
fulness written all over him, and GER
tain sad wisdom I'm his old face.
"You'll find Tom n great cook" said
Charlie, patting the old man on the
shoulder. "Many trip we've taken
together after duck. haven't we, Tom?"
THAT'S right, sub. That's right"
said the old man, his eyes twinkling
with pleasure.
Then came the captain-Capt JabeZ
Willinms-a younger man, with an In
telligent, self-respecting manner, some
what nOncommittal. businesslike, evil
IDENTIFY not particularly anxious as to
whether he pleased or not. hut looking
competent and civil enough.
Next came the engineer, young
hulking bronze giant, n splendid phys
zeal specimen, but rather heavy and
sullen and not over-intelligent to look
at. The deckhand proved to be u
shackly. rather silly. effeminate 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"
"We're not taking passengers" an
swered "but 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, ingratlating
voice.
] looked at him with start of rec.