, 1926-03-17
Porto BellO Colo

most and highest, n cloud-hung giant
which dominated the island.
Nearing its shores, | deserted the
tangled masses of trees which clothed
most of its surface. A few conifers
shot up to goodly stature, but the
greater part of the forest growth was
gnarled, w~ind-tortured dwarfs, mis-
shapen abortlons of trees. The whole
effect of the place seen from ofrshore
was sinister and fo~rbldding, repulsive
MS the silent ferocity which emanated
from the blind man Pew.
My great-uncle turned over the con-
duct of the ship to Martin and crossed
to where Peter and | stood, staring
about us.
~"Starboard, Master Martin! !" called
my great-uncle as he Joined Peter and
me. "Starboard your helm, If you
please. Aye, on to this shoal here.
We shall have three fathoms and less
to careen in. Bid them drop the an
Choir"
Martin lawled an order. A whistle
piped. and there was n great clatter
and rustling of rope running loose, a
h'hSh'F 'liiNNi Nidl hlVNt A't III NH
In tumult into the air: and the Royal
James swung to her cable close under
the lesser islands shore. Ny great
uncle waved one hand over the bull
wark.
skeleton island this is called,
Robert" he said. ~ tell You because
you demonstrate so grewsome an
interest in the more horrlfying cpl
sodes OF our past. But regret I
must confess that l know of no au-
thentic detail to account for the 10
menclature. Pirates have a way of
naming n spot to suit themselves.
without rime or reason, If the fancy
ono moves them"
May we Iand?' l answered, lgnor-
ing his gibe.
"Suit yourselves" he returned with
a shrug. 81 must have all my men
busy aboard here, however. and can
spare none to guide you"
ia, ja," urged Peter. I'VE shoodt
some goats, eh?"
"If o please" agreed Murray.
Ben Gum will find you a brace of
light muskets preferable to our rack
blunderbusses. I'll have the gig put
oversize, and you may row yourselves.
II you will. l desire above all things.
Robert. to deal gently with you.
Therefore | ask you to believe | am
considering your own safety when l
require your promise to he aboard
again not later than an hour after
sundOwn."
"Why. what harm"
The Walrus Slated past us, her Fan
vas in n slovenly mess allow and alort,
n dozen men bowling orders and coun-
ter-orders from poop, waist and
f%o'csle, Flint in his red coat strutting
the poop and adding his own below
showed signs of dissolvlng.
My G~reat-uncle's eyes strayed
across the narrow gap of water be-
twiNt the two vessels.
well. damme, it's beer a - of
a voyage. Murray" shouted Flint.
1--WE are here" returned my great
uncle ~urbnnely.
AYE, and what TO do WI our
selves?" Flint called back. "Blast
me for a - - If | can see
what five hundred - -- are
to do WI months on their hands. and
naught but rum-drlnking' and quar-
rellin' for diversion"
There's your ship to clean, man."
replied Murray. "She needs It,"
Flint answered with n curse.
My great-uncle INDUCED in one of
his essentially Gallo shrugs and
busted n pinch Of snunr into his nos
trlls.
Captain Flint doth not agree with
me, IL seems. But to return To your
question. You were about to ask me
what harm could befall you ashore.
| answer you thnt | do not know. but
that In all candid truth we are here,
to quote my associate. some five hun
dred - - -, and accidents
may happen. Therefore, | suggest
that you be aboard not later than
nm hour after sunset. on second
thoughts. Robert. I regret that | shall
be unable to permit you to leave the
Annie Pie ORIGINATOR