Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-02-04
CHAPTER XVII.
OF Which Cookie Is the Hero.

Next morning / came out of the hut
In time to see Mr.. Shaw and his COM
panion In duress led forth from the
sleeping quarters which they had
shared with their captors. They were
moored as before to a palm tree, by
q rope having a play of two or three
feet, and their hands unbound while
they made a hasty breakfast under
the eye OF a watchful sentinel. Then
their wrists were tied again, not pain
fully, but with a irmness which made
any slipping Of their bonds impossible.
While the pirates were breakfasting
a spirited dispute took place among
them as to who should 90 to the treas
ure cave and who stay in camp to
guard the prisoners. Slinker and
Horny urged with justice that, as they
had missed all the excitement Of the
preceding day, 1t vas their turn to
visit the cave. The right to see the
Bones they ~passionately claimed. Tony
supported them, and 1t ended with
Chris and Captain Magnus being told
off as our guards for the morning.
In leaving the cabin ! had slipped into
my blouse a small penknife which l
had found In Aunt James bag. 1t was
quite new, and satisfied myself that
the blades were keen. My W large
sheath-knife and my revolver l had
been deprived Of at the suggestion of
the thoughtful Magnus. / had surren-
dered them unprotestingly, fearful of
all things that my possessions might
be ransacked and Peters diary, though
hidden with much art at the bottom Of
the bag, be brought to light. For l
might yet sell the secret OF the Island
Queen at a price which should re-
deem us all
AS the heat increased a voice Of
lamentation broke from Chris. He was
dry--dry enough to drink up the con
demned ocean. No. he didn't want
spring water, which Cookie o~bsequious-
ly rendered him he wanted a drink
wouldn't anybody but a fool niger
know that? There was plenty Of the
real stuff aboard the schooner, on the
other side OF Observation-Disclosures.
Why had they, with incredible lack Of
forethought,- brought along nothing
but their pocket fiasks7 Why hadn't
they sent the adjective Niger back
for moref Where was the bottle or
two that had been rooted out last
night from the medical stores? Empty?
Every last drop gone down somebody's
greedy gullet2 The adjectives came
thick and fast as Chris hurled the
bottle into the bay, where 1t swan
bobbingly upon the ripples. Captain
Magnus agreed with the gist Of
Chris remarks. but deprecated, In a
truly philosophical spirit, their un-
profitable heat. There wasn't any
liquor. so what was the good of max
ing an adjective row? Hadn't he en-
dured the equivalent of Chris pres
ent sutferlngs for weeks? He vas bid
ing his time, he a Plenty of drink
by and by, plenty Of all that makes
life soft and easy. lie bet there
wouldn't many hit any higher spots
than him. He bet there was n lit
tie girl that would be looked on as
lucky, In case she was a good little
girl and encouraged him to show his
natural kindness. And / was favored
with q blood-curdlipg leer from across
the camp, Of which / had put IS
much as possible between myself and
the object of my dread.
But now, like a huge black Gany-
mede, appeared Cookie, bearing cups
and a large stone crock.
at suhtinly am a fact. Mistah Chris,
sah," said Cookie, dat dey is q mighty
unsplrituous huidity bout dis yere
spring watah. Down war / Is come
from no pussons of de Four Hund'ed
amt even Cushioned to partake Of
such. But the sassiety | has been In
lately round dis we're camp amt Of de
c%onvivulous ordah; ole Cookie had to
keep 1t dark dat he got his lille drop o.
comfort on de side. Dis yere's only
homemade stuff, sab. 'Tain't what /
could offah to a gennelmun II so be !
is got the makin's Of a genuwine old
style julep what Is de beverage Of de