The Ordway new era., 1922-04-21
CHAPTER XVII.
OF Which Cookie Is the Hero.

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
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 We're tied again, not pain
fully. but with a tirmnesS which made
any slipping of their bonds impossible.
While the pirates were breakfasting
a spirited dispute took place among
them as to who should go 10 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
of 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 l satisfied myself that
the blades We're keen. My own large
sheath-knife and my revolver l had
been deprived of at the suggestion of
the thoughtful Magnus. l 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 a 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
forethoughr, brought along nothing
bul lI4t4l ppChtl lIdShSs WHY 4ltuu
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 gulIet? 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
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 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
| girl and encouraged him TO show his
natural Kindness. And l was favored
with blood-curdling leer from across
| >
much 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.
1T suhtinly am a fact. Mistah Chris.
sah,' said Cookie. dat dey is a mighty
unspirituous fiuidity bout dis yere
spring watah. Down war l is come
from no pussons of de Four Hund'e 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 l
could offah to gennelmun il so be l
Is got the makin's of a genuwine old
style 1ulep what is de beverage of de
fust families But bein' as it is, 1t am
mighty coolin'. sab, and 1t got a li'Ie