, 1926-03-17

HN'lf 49, -
out Of town and put to sea in a fast
sloop he hath in a little river near
where was the ancient town Of Nom
bre de Dios, so that we shall have
sure tidings of the Santissimn TRIM
dads coming and be prepared for
her"
but what of her course?" | scruti-
nized the map. There are three sep
arate exits from the Caribbean into
the Atlantic"
you have clapped on to the nub of
u problem" said Murray. Twas
the piece of information was at most
pains to obtain. The Santissima
Trinidad will head for the Mona pas
sage. will show you why. The first
aim of the Spaniards is to conceal
her voyage; she sails a course which
keeps her as much as possible in open
aeas. And the best exit for that pur-
yose is the opening between Hlspan-
ola and Porto Rico.
'My intent Is hat the Royal James
shall ply of the westerly mouth of
the passage from about the end of
August, avoiding all intercourse with
shipping and keeping as far out to
sea as is practicable. When Diego
appears we viii restrict the space of
our beat. and twill be impossible for
the treasure ship to escape us. If
she runs we can catch her, and at
fighting | can take any don under a
ship-o,the-line."
$50 much | heard you declare to
Colonel O'Donnell aboard the brig"
| said. But what comes next? You
take the Santisslma Trlnidad-and
thenf'
He moved his forefinger over the
surface Of the map and brought 1t to
rest in front of a tiny outline sketched
in ink on the expanse of sea east of
Cuba and somewhat to the north of
Hispaniola. Northward of this spot
stretched the far-flung myriads of the
Bahamas.
THAT is what you have heard Flint
and ne refer to as the Rendezvous.
and Spyglass island.' he answered.
1T has other names. I believe. Some
nave called it Treasure island. al
though know of no treasure upon it.
tbs said that Kidd discovered II, and
certes, others of the old-tlme buc-
cancers were wont to maintain them
selves there. We are bound thlther
now to refit and careen, and when we
have the treasure safe under matches
We will return 10 the island to divide
it and concert arrangements for de-
llvering their share to Colonel
O'Donnelrs friends"
What will Flint say to your fetch
ing in strangers to your hiding placer"
| asked.
A furrow deepened betwlxt my
great-uncle's lambent eyes.
He'll not like IT. Robert" he nd
mitted. 81 have O'DOnnell's word to
betray none of our secrets. and indeed
tits to his own interest to keep hidden
his part In this affair: hut Flint may
well make trouble. 'Tis a determined
dog, and a greedy. look you. boy.
will you stand by me in the affair?
For the girls sake, If for no other
r~easonl"
"why not leave her aboard the
treasure shlp?"
He regnrueu me KAN
at may be we must sink"
/ started up.
"Now, that I'll ha' naught 10 do
with! l ha' told you I'd fight II you
butchered the ~defenseless."
He waved me back.
"Peace. peacel We cannot carry on
all the Spanlards In an case, and"
He hesitated.
"-o'Donnell must be protected" he
concluded.
against what?"
"Wagglng tongues. I tell you his
part must never be known. The San
tlsslma Trinidad disappears. and with
her the treasure and all her company.
There's no other way"
Take the treasure, II you must"
| retorted; but do o stain your
hands with the blood Of men who have
not harmed you
81 must Stay some OF them. in all
probability" returned my grent.uncle.
"Whut difference between that aud
Staying 0llf'
/ remembered the thrill Of reproba-
tlon with which even the most de
voted adherents Of King George had
heard Of the butchery Of the Scots
wounded nfter Cuiloden.
There's but one thing TO do" !
said. "You must make pretense OF
benrlng on the daughter. and you n
lmprlsOn the father. too. In order to
silence his objections"
"a ~ role for n pirate captain"
unused my great-uncle. "El Captain
Rrrlp- I,rrap and how he devoured the
virgin can hear the stories that
will be told In the Havana wlne-shops.
But ! must have my price, Robert.
II spnre such Spanlards MS escape
u great guns and the boarding
cutlnsscs. Will you agree to stand
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