The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-06-18

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aim of the Spaniards Is to conceal
her voyage; she sails a course which
keeps her as much as possible in open
seas. And the best exit for that pur-
pose is the opening between Hispan-
lola and Porto Rico.
MY intent is that the Royal James
shall ply off 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 will 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 1 can take any don under a
ship-o'-the-line."
$50 much heard you declare to
| Colonel O'Donnell aboard the brig"
l said. "But what comes next? You
take the Santissima Trinidad-and
then"
He moved his forefinger over the
surface of the map and brought 1t to
| rest in front of 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-fung myriads of the
Bahamas.
"That is what you have heard Flint
| and me refer to as the Rendezvous,
| and Spyglass island" he answered.
at has other names, / believe. Some
have called it Treasure island, al
though / know of no treasure upon 1t.
'Tis said that Kidd discovered it, and
certes, others of the old-time buc-
cancers were wont to maintain them
selves there. We are bound thither
have the treasure safe under matches
we will return to the island to divide
it and concert arrangements for de-
livering their share to Colonel
ODonnell's friends
"What will Flint say to your fetch
ing in strangers to your hiding placer"
l asked.
A furrow deepened betwixt my
great-uncle's lambert eyes.
Hell not like it, Robert" he adj
mitted. 81 have ODonnells word to
betray none of our secrets, and indeed
it's to his own interest to keep hidden
his part in this affair; but Flint may
well make trouble TITS determined
dog, and a greedy. Look you, boy,
will you stand by me in the affair?
For the girls sake If for no other
reason?"
"Why not leave her aboard the
treasure ship?"
He regarded me askance.
at may be we must sink"
/ started up.
snow, that I'll ha' naught to do
with! I ha' told you I'd fight If you
butchered the defenseless."
He waved me back.
"Peace, peace! We cannot carry off
all the Spaniards in any case, and"
He hesitated.
"-ODonnell must be protected" he
concluded.
against what?"
"Wagging tongues. tell you his
part must never be known. The San
tissima Trinidad disappears, and with
her the treasure and all her company
There's no other way"
"Take the treasure, If you must"
/ retorted; "but do not stain your
hands with the blood of men who have
not harmed you"
Il must slay some Of them, in all
probability" returned my great-uncle.
what difference between that and.
Staying all?"
remembered the thrill of reproba-
ton with which even the most de-
voted adherents of King George had
heard of the butchery of the Scots
wounded after Culloden.
There's but one thing to do" 1
said. "You must make pretense of
bearing off the daughter and you can
imprison the father, too, in order to
silence his objections"
"a fit role for pirate captain"
unused my great-uncle "El Captain
Rrrip-Rrrap and how he devoured the
virgin! / can hear the stories that
will be told in the Havana wine shops.
But / must have my price, Robert.
If l spare such Spaniards as escape
our great guns and the boarding
cutlasses. will you agree to stand
back of me In the division Of the
spoils with Flint?"
'Ill not become lieutenant In your
piracies, If that be your meaning" I
returned.
"No; my meaning is plain. boy Il
wish you and Peter to help me to get
clear of Flint with the ODonnells and
their portion of the treasure"
"But why return to the Rendezvous
at all? Bear off with the O'Donnells
and land them and their treasure be-
fore you deliver Flint his share"
tbs not SO simple as all that. The
action with the Santissima Trinidad
will require cannonading, and that
will be heard. Probably I'VE shall be
seen sailing away. We may be pur-
sued. The surviving Spaniards, whom
you will have me spare, will speedily |
have their frigates after us. We must |
remain under cover for a period"
"Very WE'LL" / said. II will do what |
you ask for the maids sake-if Peter
is willing"
"Ja," assented Peter.
Murray caught my hand in quick,
firm clasp.
"Good!' he cried. "'Twill be the |
first o. many times we stand shoulder
to shoulder. All, Robert, l ha' |
dreamed splendid dream, and any
man who helps in its achievement will
not have lived in vain. Wen take
this gold and build an avenue of vic I
tories for the kings ride to White