Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-02-16
CHAPTER XVII.
OF Which Cookie Is the Hero.


Next morning l 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
a rope having 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 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
hid 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 l
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 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 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 -adjective-island.
Why had they, with incredible lack Of
foreth0ught, 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 gulleti 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 q
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 sufferings for weeks? He was bid
ing his time, he was. Plenty Of drink
by and by, plenty Of all that NAKED
life soft and easy. Hc 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
girl and encouraged him to show his
natural kindness. And / was favored
with blood-curdling leer from acrosA
the camp, Of which l had put as
much as possible between myself a1od
the object Of my dread.
But now, like a huge black Gany-
mede. appeared Cookie, bearing cups
and a large stone crock.
ut suhtinly am a fact. Mlstah Chris.
sah." said Cookie. 'dat dey is a mighty
unspirlt1ous fluidity bout dis we're
spring watah. Down war / is come
from no pussons Of de Four Hund'ed
amt even 'customeq to partake Of
such. But the sassItty ! has been Ia
lately round dis we're camp amt Of de
convivuIous ordah; ole Cookie had to
keep 1t dark dat he got his lille drop o.
comfort on de side Dis yere's only
homemade stun. sah Tain't what /
could offah to q gennelmun II so be /
is got tire makin's Of a genuwine old
style iusCp what Is de beverage Of de