Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1922-03-24
CHAPTER XVII.
OF Which Cookie is the Hero,

shared with their captors. They were
moored as before to a palm tree, by
rope having a play Of two or three
feet, and their hands unbound While
they made hasty breakfast under
the eye of a watchful sentinel. Then
their wrists were tied again, not pain
fully, but with a firmness which made
any slipping of their bonds impossible.
While the pirates were breakfasting
spirited dispute took place among
them as to who should go 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, it was their turn to
visit the cave. The right to see the
Bones they passionately claimed. Tony
supported them, and it 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 /
had found in Aunt James bag. 1t was
quite new, and / satisfied myself that
the blades were keen. My own large
sheath-knife and my revolver I had
been deprived Of at the suggestion OF
the thoughtful Magnus. / had surren.
dered them unprotestingly, fearful of
all things that my possessions might
he 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 Gidn't want
spring water, which Cookie obsequious-
ly rendered him; he wanted drink
wouldn't anybody but fool niger
know that? There was plenty Of the
real stuff aboard the schooner, on the
other side of djective-island.
Why had they, with incredible lack of
forethought, brought along nothing
but their pocket TASKS? Why hadn't
they sent the adjective niger back
for more? 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 gullet? The adjectives came
thick and fast as Chris hurled the
bottle into the bay, where it swan
bobbingly upon the ripples. Captain
Magnus agreed with the gist of
Chris remarks, but deprecated, in a
truly philosophical spirit, their un-
proftabla heat. There wasn't any
liquor, 50 what was the good of MAX
ing an adjective row? Hadn't he en-
dured .ne equivalent Of Chris pres
ent suferings for weeks? He was bid
ing his time, he was. Plenty of drink
by and by, plenty Of all that makes
life soft and easy. He bet there
wouldn't many hit any higher spots
than him. He bet there was one lit
tie girl that would be looked on as
lucky, in case she was a good little
gir% and encouraged him to snow his
natural kindness. And / was favored
with a blood-curdling leer from across
the camp, of which / had put as
u4uch as possible between myself and
the object of my dread.
But now, like a huge black Gany-
mede, appeared Cookie, bearing cups
and large stone crock.
"It suhtinly am fact. Mistah Chris,
sah," said Cookie, dat dey is mighty
unspirituous fuidity bout dis yere
spring watah. Down war | is come
from no pussons Of de Four Hund'ed
amt even 'customed to partake of
such. But the sassiety has been in
lately round dis yere camp amt of de
conviyulous ordah; ole Cookie had to
keep it dark dat he got his lille drop O.
comfort on de side. Dis yere's only
homemade stuff, sab. 'Tain't what I
could offah to gennelmun if so be 1
is got the makin's of a genuwine old
style julep what is de beverage Of de
fust families. But bein' as it is. it am
mighty coolin', sab, and it got a lille
kick to it--not much, but jeS' enough
to make a gennelmun feel lax he is
one."
Cookies tones dripped humility and
pfOpll1dllOu. NE O1lOIOu lIl0 DFIuu1uS
cup cringingly to the pale-eyed, red
nosed Chris, who reached for it with
alacrity, drank deep, smacked his lips
meditatively, and after a moment
passed the cup back.
'Tain't so worse" he said APPROX
ingly. Anyhow, it's drink!'
Magnus suddenly began to laugh.
"S'elp me, it's the same dope what
laid out the Honorable" he chortled.
Here, darby, let's have a swig of it -
Cookie complied, joining respectful
ly in the captains mirth.
II guess you-all is got stronger
haids den dat young gennelmun !" he
remarked. dis yere ole niggah has
help hisself mighty freely and dat
prohibitiOnist Miss Harding amt eveh
found it out. Fac is, it am puffeckly
harmless 'cept when de laid is weak. ;"
False, false Cookie! Black brother
in perf1dy to Mr.. Tubs! One friend
the less to be depended on if a chance
for freedom ever came to us!
Cookie refilled the pirates cups, and
set the crock beside them on the
ground.