The Dolores star., 1919-09-26

under twenty tons. with an auxiliary
gasoline engine of "a horse power.
and an alleged speed Of ten knotA
Next, the crew.
You will need captain. a COOK. an
engineer and deckhand." said Char
lie. "and l 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 tho 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
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 plckaxes. And I'd
take few sticks of dynamite along
with you too. 1 Gun let you have the
lot. Well get them aboard tonight"
"It's a 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-
tions. l hope you won't have any
trouble with them"
Had any experience In handling
niggers?" asked Charlie.
Not the least"
"That makes me wish I 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, If need be.
That's all to the good. Particularly
If 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 1t Is. at times. And, by
the way, how would you like to take
old Sailor with you?'
"Sailor" was a great Labrador re-
triever, who at that moment turned up
his big head with a devoted sigh from
behind his masters chair.
Rather" l said. So "Sailor" was
thereupon enrolled as a further addi-
tion to the crew.
"Old Tom" the cook. was first on
hand next morning. 1 took to him at
once. A simple. kindly old "darky" of
"Uncle Toms Cabin" type, with faith
fulness written all over him, and q GER
tain sad wisdom in 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. Tom2"
"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, but looking
competent and civil enough.
Next came the engineer, young
hulking bronze giant, a splendid phys
| ical specimen, but rather heavy and
sullen and not over-intelligent to look
at. The deckhand proved to be a
shackly, rather silly, effeminate fellow,
suggesting idlocy, but doubtless wiry
and good enough for the purpose.
While they were busy getting up the
anchor of the Maggie Darling I 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 if you'll take him
passenger to Spanish Wells"
"We're not taking passengers" an
swered, "but I will look him over"
A man was standing up in a row.
boat, leaning against the ships side.
You'd do me a great favor, SIR" he
began to say in soft, ingratiating
voice.
| looked at him with start of rec
ognitiOn. He was my pockmarkeh
friend, who had made such an unpleas-
ant impression on me Mt 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 halfbreed the white
blood predominated.
Il don't want to intrude," he said,
"but 1 have urgent need of getting to
Spanish Wells, and there's no boat 60
Ing that way for~a week. I've just
missed the mail"
II didn't think Of taking any passen-
gers" said.
II know" he said. II know It's a
great favor ask" He spoke with a
certain cultivation of manner. "But
I am willing Of course to pay anything
you think we'll for my food and my
passage"
I waived that suggestion aside and
| stood irresOlutely looking at him. Will,