, 1923-07-04
CHAPTER xI.-contInued.

rowing as II for a wager, but the din
ghy had the lead. They beached her,
hauled her up a foot, and started over
the rocks, running his time, needless
of broken limbs, Satan leading like a
kangaroo and w%hooping as he vent.
The rock bridge was still intact, but
nearly the whole Of the after part of
the deck WINS gone.
go careful - cried Satan. He got
down on hands and knees and, crawl
ing. followed by Radcliffe, leaned over
the break and looked.
Ratcliffe cried out in horror.
In that vast m gloomy interior the
great beams showed like the ribs of
some eviscerated monster and the
honest light OF day fell sick upon the
cargo-a cargo of skulls, ribs, YER
tebrae, md entire skeletons, piltd
high, as though five hundred men had
struggled aft for exit In one mad rush
and died heaped one upon the other
like refuse. A charnel, limy smell
rose, poisoning the air.
Good Cdr" said Radcliffe.
Shaver" said Satan. "What did /
tell you? Nombre de Dios be sugared!
She's an old SLAYER, wrecked with the
men under matches. Here's Sellers!"
Sellers, painting, his face all mot
tied, and followed by Cleary, had
gained the deck.
Boys, what is itf' cried Sellers.
"Goldl' cried Satan. go careful,
for the hull decks sprung. Get on
your hands and knees. Gold bars an
! 'MJnonds-we're nIl rich men !"
The pair of scoundrels, crawling
like crabs. stuck their heads over the
break.
"oh, hill" said Sellers.
SLAYER" said Satan.
Cleary spat. He was the first to
laugh.
This is putting II over on Clark,
amt itf' said Cleary. "How many
dollars d'you think It's cost our firm
to blow the lid of this id scrofagus,
to say nothin' of the time? And he
packed me OF to Pensacola to get me
out Of the way! Oh. send for him to
have a look !"
mo use sendin', he's comm" said
Satan, pointing to where the gig Of
the Juan vas approaching the beach.
Carquinez crossed the rock-brldge
and advanced along the deck, clutch
lng his old coat together and making
hIrd-like noises. When he reached
the break, crouching like the others,
he looked over.
The sight below did not seem to
horrify him.
Shaver" said Satan for the third
time, turning his head for a moment
from the objects that seemed to fas-
clnate him.
"Pst, psf, pst!" said C~arqulnez.
Vel, | reckon dat is So"
The old gentleman seemed taking
his setback extraordinarily well so,
too, seemed Sellers and Cleary. They
were evidently used to reverses in
business, and hunting was
wildcat anyway, Il thousand to one
against the chance of a colossal for
tune.
Carquinex drew back from the break
like a reptile baked and %retreating,
rose to his feet. and stood contemplate
Ing the sea.
Satan rose also, as did Radcliffe.
I'm on" said Satan. This bone
ynrd don't please me any. Say, what
you goin' to dof"
Won moment" said Cark.
which, 2" asked Satan.
Clark means how about the con-
trac'Y' said Sellers.
which way7"
"Lordl Why, we're left. left with
a cargo Of skeletons, and you-why.
you've got a thousand dollars in your
pocket"
about handin' them back" said Satan
"bsides, the CONTRACTS bust. That
thousand dollars was on account of
nndin's. IL II my fault the findln's is
sR%eletons7 But. see here. you gives
. few hours to turn the thing over,
ana come aboard the Sarah gettin'
along shutdown, and wen have n clack.
were all In the soup, seems to me.
hhd I'm not wishin' to be hard on
YOU
Wen drop aboard" said Sellers.
Cleary said nothing. After his out
burst Of laughter he had remained
dumb.
Well, I'm on" said Satan. ~
want a drink and that's tho truth.
me smell OF them skeletons enough
70 start n minister on the booze"
men he turned TO Carqulnez. "yhat
ad tell you. slttin' in your cabinf
iold you ] didn't bank on his busi-
ness maybe you1i remember that.
.iast treasure liftin'l Leavin' salvage
.s'ue. have you ever seen an ounce
'. gold rnlsed In all these years7 It's
why the chaps that sell locations to
mues mat make money over this busi-
- us my b1icf. Well, see you
aboard later on"