BLACKBEARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 September 1928, Page 7

BLACKBEARD.

I breatihed a sigh of coutemnent as I gazed upon the si'a, purple as the peacock's nock, and the white coral rocks beneath my feet. .Vfter much tribulation 1 had actually arrived at Nas's'au, in New 'Providence island, and was about to start upon my wililgcose expedition to seek for “The blue stone land the woman 's-tongue tree.” What did it mean? I dared not inquire of anyone in Nassau. Up the cofal steers beneath the royal poincian'as I followed on after my guide, hired at the harbour to show me the way to the house of the bailiff of the Lord Bath, whither I was bound.

My- sleeve was now touched by my guide, “Derc, ” s'aid he, pointing to a learge clearing in the plain below, half a mile away, “Dcre lives Surly .Sandy with the black dog. I>at track leads straight there —and now me Wants de two shillings.”

“You've only taken me half way,” I replied, “so I’ll only give you half /the fee.” He grinned as he took the shilling, and I went on alone down the path, wondering whether l- should be able to gain admittance. I could see as I drew nearer that the garden about the house was carefully tended; red and yellow blooms from the poincianas fluttered on the breeze and scarlet hibiscus llanied in a hedge beyond the gate, 1 stepped inside and-rapped upon a locked door. A loud barking burst forth in a spate, and at the same time a head was thrust out of an upstairs "window, regarding me angrily. “What . d’ye want here, ye idle beggar? Awn' or 111 loose the black dog on ye.” I saw a marrow, bony, yellow, Punchlike visage protruding from the casement above, and the dog I could plainly hear tearing at the door by my feet. “I’ve a letter for you from the Earl of Bath. I’ve just arrived. I’m a far away cousin of the earl s,” 1 added. a little (pompously.

“Yell be far eneuch awa’ ” he added. sicornfully, after a prolonged look. “Let’s see the letter,” lie added, as he withdrew his head. I heard the bolt being drawn, and the dog apparently being leashed The door then swung open, and a thin, aged, but alert, figure stood before me restraining his horrid Cerberus with one hand, and holding out the other for my credentials. He s'at down on the steps and read the letter carefully; then he said quickly, “What else h'ae vc brought wi ’ ve ?’’

“:My mother,” l replied, “hail nothing to give me beyond ” then I hesitated, for I feared this man's jibes and laughter. “Beyond her blessings, her New Testament, anil her cordial,” I added.

“Let’s hue a look n't. the Testament” was his unexpected reply. Astonished I handed it to him. and watched .attentively its he looked through it. “It’s been well thumbed.” he said, apparently satisfied. “Thank God, young man. that ye hae a gitid mother. Ye'll need all the help ye can ge't in this land o’ 'Sodom an ’ Gomorrie. ” “Is it as bail as that?” said i.

“Waur, if possible.’’ he groaned, “and I’m thinkin' I maun flit like righteous Lot -before destruction fains down from Heaven upon Nassau.’’ This reply disconcerted me; if lie were going to leave what could I do by myself ?

In a moment I determined to hint to him the reason of my coming. “I wonder if you knew mv grandfather?’' I asked abruptly’, “lie was cousin to the present earl's father, and prospered. I believe, out here not long ago. I think you must have know him.''

“Know him,’’ replied my companion, ‘"aye, 1 kenned him weel—a keen yen Mie was, but ye could trust him. an’ he lived decently eneucli wi ' the linf-caste bi't lassie he l,ook up wi *.-" “He disappeared mysteriously ?' ’ I inquired. “Aye, did lie,’’ he answered, “some three years past. What o’ that?’’ “Why, that’s the reason I’ve come out here,’’ I replied. “The fact is, lie wrote to his -firit wife—my grandmother, you uniter-stand —shortly before his death giving a hint or clue to a buried treasure, which ho said was reserved for hereout here in- case of need. Well, the need has arisen, for my grandmother is dead, and my father also, and here am 1. ’Tis perhaps a wild-goose chase? ’’ I concluded, with a note of interrogation.

‘My--companion was watching me intently. anil I saw a gleam in his eye suddenly light up. “1. toelit that.’’ lie •cried excitedly. “I aye toelit that there was a bit treasure. Many rumours went about when he disappeared, but there was aye the treasure behind. Where’s the clue?’’ lie cried, holding out his hand. “Wait a bit.'’ I answered coolly. “I ha\*e tlie letter containing i't, but wo must make an agreement first. I'll trust you if you'll trust me. I think if anything comes of our 'treasure hunt tlie division should be into thirds—one for* mv mother, one far you, and one formic. ’ ’ “I’m 'thinking it should be halves.” he answered. “Ye see, ye can do nothing without me —a puir stranger lad in a vfickcd. heathen island. All the expenses will fall on me, ye ken. but as I’uf no a graspin' body, and wishful to get oot -o’ Gomorrie. we’ll fix it at thirds. ’ ’

Oil this We siibak hands, and I produced the ragged letter. “Take care’' I cried as h« seized it in his talons “if's very brittle.’’ -He spelled it out feverishly. “By gum!’’ lie cried. “I'll discover it for ye—What is this? ‘By the blue stone and the woman's tongue tree?’ Why, I’ve seen them some where, or dreamt* of thenr. Gte me -time an' I’Jl mind where.”

JT.c screwed tip liis eyes tightly, evidently racking liis memory. 'Suddenly lie jumped up. rind glaring angrily tit me, cried out. sliarplyr “Bosh! Ye lift ’ made me forget flic day’s the Sabbnth. wi ’ your 'carnal talk. Come a'va ’ in an’ I’ll read ye a chapter fine the Bible. Vie can bide here for the present,’’ he added, “iinmis the Word. Nac ntair o’ your carnal converse. Sit doon an ’ I ’ll trie ye some spiritual food.' I sat down, and shortly fell asleep, while rny companion read aloud out of Genesis.* When I awoke lie was well into Exodus, and quite oblivious of my presence. I rose quietly and strolled about outside in search of some fruit, for my bodily needs were. clamorous. 1 plucked a handful of bananas and ate them as I admired the way the garden had been planted and water

laid on. Then suddenly 1 felt a warning instinct—surely I was being watched! Behind the thick cactus amt hibiscus hedges a black shadow bail mo\cd a moment ago. I had heard nothing, but the strong glow of the sunset lit up for an instant an ebony one. Uneasily I recalled the fact that ‘tourlv Sandy’’ and I hail talked quite

openly in the verandah about the treasure. I should have thought of that before. I walked on, and found a grove of orange trees, from which 1 gathered sufficient fruit to satisfy my hunger. Then 1 saw my host beckoning to hie to come within. In the house a black “boy” was setting dishes on a small table; having completed these with a jug of lime-juice, he vanished behind a' curtain, a wide grin on his face. “He's a brand plucked frae the burnin’,” said my host with pride. ‘‘l have freed him, and what’s more. I’ve taught him the Shorter Catechism. They call him ‘Laughing doe.’ and me they call ‘Surly Sandy.' it’s a guid balance.”

‘‘ls it safe to talk openly before him!'” 1 asked uneasily, thinking of the black salidow behind the hedge, “safe and sure eneuch,” replied my host, “there’s but two righteous left in Gomorrie. and he’s ane o’ them. But ime mention o’ treasure till 1 gie ie the word.” 31 v frugal supper concluded, my host .said'it was bedtime, and pointed to a truckle bed in the corner and a hammock above, slung from tile rafters. “Ye can bae the hammock,” he said, ‘ it’s cooler up there, an’ its fine for saying one’s prayers.”

When I had taken off my b<x>ts and kei he had given me a leg up, and t lay in the swinging bed delighted with my surroundings. I listened to the gentle murmur of the pines outside upon the breeze, and thanked heaven for my safe arrival in New Providence Island. Surely there was Impend augury iti the name. I could not sleep—the .thought of the buried treasure engrossed, my thoughts. And now the moon rose like a fountain among the groves palms, and I swung gently as though borne on white wings to the gates of Olympus. Then, with a sudden turn of terror, J saw the curtain part below me, and a blach face iooked stealthily through the opening, searching the quiet room. It was as though a demon had suddenly appeared in Paradise. Mv host was geutlv snoring; I lay like a log and almost at once the- face withdrew, and the curtain fell back again into place. But my contentment had vanished. It was not fear that I felt so much as inquietude and insecurity. One thing heartened me, for there was evidently a strong belief in the existence of mv* grandfather’s hoard.

I was aware how the silver light had laded from one side of the house; a golden gleam now touched the other side, just as I was sinking into a doze. •Awaae. thou sluggard!'’ cried aj voice below, and a hand imcercinoiiiousiy let down my hammock. Ya’ll hae to help Joe wi’ a load of fruit to the harbour." cried my host, “for the pawny’s bad.” The morning was occupied with the gathering of fruit; then came the pushing of the rough cart laden with pineapples, bananas, and limes up the lull, and holding it back down the long descent to the harbour. There “Laughing Joe' and L parted company; he to deliver his load to the “Pirate”— .or thus 1 interpreted the crytic phrase oi my host as to “spoiling the Egyptians '—l. to seek a boat in which to cross over to J Log Island to cleanse and euoi myself with a bathe, for with my toil under the hot sun, sweat had i broken out like a geyser within me. ! i hi.oil a small sailing boat, and, jciossing over, threw out the anchor, Lui.i then plunged into the clear water, close on shore lor fear of sharks. The ; sun was setting as I dried in. the jb.ceze: iiery gleams as from a volcano [shot up trom the west, and glorified it sloop l.ving at anchor near by, which I Knew to be the flagship of the reco..btable Blackboard or L’oiseau de la Aler. lately captured from the French.. Impelled oy curiosity, J rowed gently round lie; stern, wondering if 1 might, perlnuu.e, catch sight of the “Pirate King” himself. Right above me the guns thrust out their black muzzles, ii.ee bloodhounds through kennel bars, suddenly a light of candles shone through the onrushing dusk, and i heard voices overhead. As my boat drilted gently on the tide-way I saw the end of a "rope hanging idly trom a vradie where caulkers or painteis had evidently been at work. Ii I dare venture, and if the rope but holds firm, thought I. J might climb up and v spy in upon the pirates.

\\ ith trembling caution L then' upon the rope and found it taut, I hesitated a moment, then with inrush or courage determined to mount up. The liglrt: came from a porthole just to the left oj the cradle, so that if I could reach that as a foothold undiscovered 1 would be free to observe. Holding the rope tightly with my feet I climbed .slowly hand over hand, gained the i l adle, waited for my breath, and peered caiLtidhsly through, the porthole. 1. itlii 11 sat a group of men conversing with animation One figure especially arrested by attention, that of a aig. swarthy man. with an immense black beard tied back here and there intii bows, after the fashion of a wig. i.eep scars marked his forehead, a bandolier full of pistols was round his chest. ' ‘Ji lack heard’’ him sell! lie Was looking intently at a parrot pen lied on a chair beside him. • "Give him a swig of rum,'' he said suddenly; ‘that should loosen his tongue.” A vst.-ndor at once produced a pannikin. and held it out to the parrot, who, nothing loathe, dipped his beak into tide lifjuor. All at once the parrot raised itself up with an incredible shritiv. danced up on its 3 perch, nodded it's head violently, and screamed in high excitement: "i ieccs of eight! Pieces of eight! I,i;• ye there till early or late. .M v searcher conics to search lor thee, I!y the blue stone and the woman's tongue tree. ,!

Immediately after this the parrot gave a tipsy lureii, tried to seize the perch with its beak, but, missing its hold, tell with a drunken squawk plump to the deck. “Damn the bird,” cried Blackboard angrily, as lie looked down upon the drunken parrot. “Why the devil can’t he say where the stone and the tree are? When lie’s himself again we’ll try once more, and if he don’t speak mv pistol will.” A flash of flame and a loud report followed. Whether by design or accident Blackbeard had touched off his

pistol. .Then an agitated voice broke through the eddying smoke: “O, Massa Blackboard.” it cried and to my horror 1 recognised the voice of Laughing Joe. “Save de parrot; ho spoke truth —same as de young lad now with Surly Sandy, w.lio* has come from England for de treasure; dis lad. he know bout- tie bluestone and de tree, but he not know where they be. De bird alone knows. Search de island' with de parrot; de parrot will sing when he come to right- place..” “The nigger’s right,” commented Blackbenrd: “fling some water over the damned bird, and bring him back to bis senses.”

I had heard enough. There was no time to lose.

Before climbing up 1 had attached the sheet of the' sail to the end of the tope, thus keeping the boat from going adrift. T slid down the rope, found the sheet still taut, dropped with my heart in my mouth, hit or miss, for the boat* Luckily I came down on the coiled sail, thus deadening the-sound of my fall. I cut the sheet, then with an oar in the stern sculled gently and almost without a sound towards the harbour. Dragging the boat up the beach. I hastened to find Sandy, narrated what I had justseen and heard, and asked for his decision.

“The limb of Satan,” lie groaned, as Joe’s treachery was revealed. “The limb of Satan. I thought there was two righteous in Gomorrie* but there’s just one.” Thus he groaned, then suddenly starting to his feet whispered hoarsely in my € ar. “Now I mind, now J mind.” he muttered. “ ’Twa.s the parrot that minded me. Ay. I hae seen the “woinan’stongue tree.” Ay. since when paying a call on a sick friend in the far south of the island I came near hy the /’oast, and all of a sudden T caught keek of a man with a hlunderhuß spyiii’ alioot aal round him some 200 yards ahead. . A pirate.” says 1 to myself, “and I hid behind a gum tree, watching him. for they’re dangerous animals is pirates. Then in a moment the man sank out of sight, but 1 mind, quite- ns distinct now as then, seeing the man with the bß'nderbus and a parrot on his shoulder standing beneath a worn an’s-tongue tree with black ends. Soon T heard a sound of rull-ocks. and spied a sail veering r-ound for Nassau.” Trie paused op a deep breath. “ ’Tunis the auld man your grandfather—and there lies the treasure. T’H swear to it on Holy Writ, for he aye had a narrot wi’ him.”

“What’s to be done?” I cried; “here’s Blackbeard on the trail. Can we forestall him?” “Aye.” returned my companion, flushed with eagerness, “we can an’ we must —not a moment “o be lost. We’ll start the nlcii-t, 'tis full moon. Pack up your bit valise, and I’ll pack my portmanteau, hire a small cutter, and aff we’ll sail. In any case this island’s not use to the righteous. If we find the treasure we'll slip over to the Great Bahama, and out to Charleston in America, and there get a ship home.” “Good.” I replied. gladly. “Im ready, Wo must take spades and a pickaxe.” “Aye.” lie said, “get you them out o’ the shed the whiles T cut down to the harbour and fix up the boat. Pick a guid bunch o' bananas an’ some pines an’ oranges, and put them • on the barrow for that limb o’ Satan’s no back yet with the cart.” “No.” said T. “and he’ll never come hack again if lie’s wi.se!” “We’ll client him yet.” growled Sandy, as he turned and hurried towards the harbour..

I worked feverishly following Sandy's instructions, collecting the fruit, and piling it on the barrow. I was ha id at work when I caught the sound of stealthy footsteps- without. At on r e J blew out the lamp beside me. and whistled for the black dog Towser. who immediately started barking loudly. Then followed a yelp, a pistol shot, and a rush of feet towards the shed. “Dere he is! Dat’s de voting English lad. Seize him!” cried the hateful voice of Joe, who must have caught sight of mo through the window. A torch was lighted, and (lived in the doorwav-on half «• dozen sailors, who rushed upon me before I could get in a single blow. My hands and feet were hound, and a gac thrust into inv mouth. Then they lifted me up and “frog-nuuclicd” me down to the harbour. T gathered I ’";v- to h<> haled before Blackbeard. and T shuddered at the prosnect. T woiub’rcd if one of his banded pistols w'"'!d seal mv doom. When we readied tl’e ouay 1 was bundled into the bottom of a gig. and nv cantors rowed swiftlv towards r ’O'seau de la Mcr. 3H heart sank dead within me. for ovidentlv T was *•'» bo confronted with Blackbeard himself and fowml to reveal what T kimw of the hidden treasure. As a matter of fact. T knew no more than Hu> narrot. but that. T foresaw, would no+ -’'-ail me.

Well, it bed been a f-nolbh venture enreirrh fo -sail for a coral island and bi"'ied treasure on the faith of a swan of miner. T set mv teeth. Tf the worst was to he feared 1 would di n era me. The hoat now humn°d ap-njnst the fender of the tlagsliin. a”'l, T was lifted and pushed im the eomnnnion ladder. The ho’snn glared at me with some euriositv. and hade mv cantors take me to the “Chief” in the Cftnte cabin.

flai'-t-heared was sifting at drink with his first mate Hands -at a table am id shins 1 , and as T was browo-flit before hint between two guards, his blood-,shot eves raked me- thron'd) and through cv • f ma hi vole n tlv. Determined not to b" brow-beaten by -him T returned him si for stare.

“» c 0 vait've come to spy onk the land and voacrth bore for treasure, have v' u?" he askefl threateningly. “Know* ’-on not that T am lord her in this island. and all treasure belongs to me?” “My cousin, the Earl of Bath, is one of I,he lord- proprietors.” T replied, “aii'l mv intention i«s to become a planter on his 'lordship’s -lands.” “Tillv-railv?” he cried, snapping his fingers. “T give that for the" Earl of Bath. Vow, hark ye, rny boy. T know that you’ve come out to look for a. certain treasure which is, in effect, mine, and which I intend to unearth jnunedinuely. for I have the means. Well, l'!l make you a. generous offer. If you disclose all you know I’ll take you into mv service, and you can ■share with my crew in the division of the shift hereafter. If you refuse, why then, 1 shall treat you as the spy you p'ainly are.” “I'm no spy.” I letorted indignantly. “I’ve come out to work with Armstrong. my lord’s hail ill’, and claim my lights as a free Emgiliislmian. As for what I know of any treasure. 1 know no more than yourself.”

“Not so much, for I’ll lay hands on ii , fu-morroAv.” he replied grimly. “You can make your choice while i count .‘50.” He commenced at once’ “One. two. three.” lie sang out loudly. and my mind worked feverishly. Vo. no; [ could not turn pirate; yet life was sweet, and 1 was but 19. “Nineteen—twenty.” the dread numerals sounded in (he air, and tire thought of my mother swam into my mind. No ] would not; I groaned to myself over mv doom.

“Thirty, ’’ the hist dreadful word leapt- lortli. St ill 1 kept si lent, though l felt. I. wais about- to faint. Then Black-beard's voice thundered out, “bhang this damned- spy at the yardarm ! ’ ’ A.t that moment there came a. soft knock on the cabin door. The door opened, and a woman gaily dressed half showed herself in the opening. I gazed a-t her in utter a-s-tonishment. She. wai.v ai .brunette, young, delicate- of feature, and pity stood in her eyes “My Hard,” she said- m a gentle voice, “supper is prepared, and your wife a waits you.”

“In a moment, my love," replied Blackbeard, “business detains me- for a moment.” He waved his hand, but she did not withdraw; her soft eyes rested upon me. “3.1 y •lord.” she pleaded. “ ’tis but a boy. Spare lii-m. I entreat you AVhat has he done to deserve hanging? I believe, moreover, that ,we are relatives.'' He’s an accursed spy, madam, and deserves his fate. Yet there may lie other ways.” eh- added with a- hateful grin. “J. gan amend the sentence to .please you. "Now leave us,” he concluded authoritatively. He waited till she had withdrawn, but J. noted tihafc she had moit quite closed the door • then gave Ills brutal command. “A new wife must be humoured,” he smirked. “Tie -a round shot to his feet and fling him over-board to the sharks. The cousin of the Earl of Blatli will be ‘the better for a bath !’ ’

As 1 was being hustled through the narrow passage I heard a rustle of silken skirts. My guards pressed me to one side, and a- woman passed me by, thrusting something secretly into mv hand. I grasped it instantly, and felt it to be n knife, and, as my hands had not been very tightly bound, and the cords had worked a- little loose, managed to secrete, i-t- up my sleeve. The woman paused, and whispered-into my ear, “Take these pearls-—the last of Thynne.’.s rreasure,’’ thrusting another small packet- into- my hands, thanking the guards for making way for her to pass. T was now dragged- up *a 'ladder to like miai-n deck. A. -round shot was lifted from a pile near me, deftly tied alb-out with ,sacking, and fastened securely to the rope about my ankles. “The boy’s a philosopher,” said one guard t,o the other; “lie knows it’s no use struggling. He’ll die. easy, -and soon be free from his troubles. Now then—one, two, three, -and away; a proson to Mr Shark! .1 was flung into I the air, turned over as I fell, anil bumped with a mighty splash into the water. Tlien tlic sea closed -over mo; for a moment 1 felt, us if I were being hurled down an abyss, then tny ’feet touched the -bottom. At once a strange exhilaration -surged through me. There could scarce be more than loft, of water! I dragged my other hand free, and seized the sacking, while mv right hand sawed, with the knife at my ankle bindings. 3fy brain was like to burst, with the air pressure, but I hacked on madly. 1 was free; I was free at last! I was actually rising upwards. t st ruck out with feverish arms —and now ! was on the surface. 1 lay on my back alloat. gasping for air. Then I thought I had sufficient strength left to gain t.he shore. The terror of sharks sped me onward. A few yards more and T was safe; 1 felt the -sand beneath my feet; on hands and knees 1 crawled out, and lay foredone upon the strand of flog Island. As l lay there all mv .strength faded away; I burst into a flood of tears. I recovered slowly as T began to rejoice over my escape, and. with a heart full of thankfulness to Providence, began to think furiously what my next step was to be.

Evidently, if possible, 1 must get across the harbour to Nassau and find the bailiff. But how to do this? 1 dared not risk another swim for fear of tin' sharks, and it was not likely I could now discover a boat, 'on the island. for the velvet tropical darkness was over all. I might -perhaps find a log somewhere and paddle myself over, for the harbour was here no more than half a mile across.

1 ,soon came upon some stray wreckage. and among the various timber round a stout .plank that would suit my purpose well. Then I cut from the dead fronds of a cocoa palm two rough blades that might make shift for pad dies, dragged off to the water’s edge and pushed off. The ebb was flowing, aim thus the distance lessened, and I sreered as best T could towards the harbour lights of Nassau. The stars were bright overhead; behind me the Great Bear prowled on the purple edge (if darkness; in front of me 'the -silver spear of Jupiter pricked on the night, and I revelled ■in mv sense of freedom ami the splendour of the heavens.

And now I touched the opposite shore, and, leaving my faithful plank, walked hurriedly up the main street and ascended 'the rise in the direction of Sandy's house. As I drew near f saw a swinging light advancing and heard the creak of an oncoming cart. Ay it approached I caught a glimpse of a man wlro was pushing a heavy barrow, with a lamp swinging from the stilt, Tf was iSandv! Overjoyed, .1 called, softly, “ Why. Sandy, ’tis you? ami I’ve just escaped from the pirates’ claws.’’ “Ye ne’er do wool.” retorted lie grimly. “I thoebt some black wench had beguiled ye. Nae mair words the non—juisf, gie a hand wi ’ this plaguev barrow.’’ Then ho questioned under his breath, “’Twas ye that pistol led puir Towser?” “No, no,” T replied, “ 'Twas probably your rascal Joe, or one of the pirates—l ’ll tell you all as scon as we get aboad your cutter.” As quickly as possible we transferred the fruit, provisions, and water-bailors to the little cutter, and were soon ready to set sail. But whither? I had had much to reflect on since last seeing Sandy. “'See, Sandy,” I whispered in his ear after a searching look round on every side, “see those pearls —l2 of 'them, as big a,s pigeon ’s elggs —worth a thousand’ pounds and more each one of them. Well, I. believe that, after Thynne’s death the woman he lived with out-here, anil the fair daughter —'Blackboard’s latest wife—who, by the way, has just saved my life, and g.veii me these pearls—discovered, or shared in the discovery of Tliylino’s hoard. What she’s given me is her share of the last of the treasure. You see. if I'm right in all this, she must be mv aunt?”

i paused and watched with secret amusement the effect of my revelations on his mind. Finally, he'groaned, “iArc ye for gangin’ aff wi ’ .just a dizzoii pearls?” l am,” replied I, “and pretty quick, too, since Blackboard’s movijig. In the one case we have a clear twelve thousand pounds; in the other, probably nothing- at all, and maylie a bullet through the head.” ■Sandy groaned deeply; he gazed mournfully behind him; then on a sudden be clapped me violently on the back and uttered his decision in my car, “After a’, ye Lae a bit gumption in ye. Up wi ’ the sail, an’ I’ll tak’ ye straight wi’ the trade wind into Charleston. There we'll get a brig homeward bound.”

•Sandy pushed the cutter off, 1 ran up the sail, and took the sheet While lie took the tiller. Our boat drew’ out upon the breeze, and, leaning over on her side trembled throughout her length like k violin, and sang the song of the

sirens of the sea. 'The moon, like a muslin woman veiled in white, was now drifting--over Hog Island, -and from the portholes of Blackboard’s ship echoed drunken song and laughter. We slipped out of the shadow of the island, sailing free as a third on the wing for Charleston, for we were 'too inconspicuous to attract the attention of the pirates.

“Let 's line anither look at the pearlies,’' quoth Sandy, shortly. “An’ I’m thinkin’ we’d best halve 'them for the ptese.nl—for safety’s sake. Ye can hide six, and. I’ll tak ’ the other six.” Having gloated over .them iu the moonlight we decided to hide them under the insteps of either foot, . and I recalled to Sandy the fact that within three days, or 72 hours, I had come to his coral island, Ibeen kidnapped by -pirates and night drowned, and had 'got hold of -the last bit perhaps of the treasure.

“ ’Tis marvellous,” said Sandy, “ wcwill .just pit up a bit -a to the Alinichty, and. though wo can no wool ask for it, I’m hoping that Blackboard will joist, pistol that, limb Laughin’ Joe.” ■Good fortune, we felt assured was ours. Wo ran into Charleston 'Harbour within 40 'hours, and Sandy at once presented me to a -Scots friend—a shipbroker—and -proceeded to bargain keenly over the sale of the cutter and on:- passages home to Falmouth. —-Howard Pease, in the “Australasian.”