Part 15 (2/2)

But the second examination showed that the cut was an old one.

”So!” he cried, ”one of the boys has cached part of his share. I bet it was that long-legged, black-haired guy. That fellow would give the best of us trouble. I wish I had him to train. Maybe, I can make something of the Injun boy,” meaning Juarez.

As to the belts, the shrewd old fellow, to make sure, measured them to see where the worn holes of the leather came, and the partially empty belt had been worn two inches longer than any of the others.

”It was the big fellow's,” said the Captain.

Then he went upon deck and called the crew forward.

”Now, lads, choose your man to get your share of the goods,” he said.

”It's Jack Cales, sir,” they said, knowing that they would be called upon to select a man to take their share.

”All right! Come, lad,” said the Captain, and led the way to his cabin.

When Jack Cales saw the treasures on the table, he opened his eyes and mouth in astonishment.

”Why, Sir,” he exclaimed, ”we haven't seen anything like this since the day two years ago when--” he stopped suddenly, seeing from a look in the Captain's eyes that no reminiscences were desired.

”This is your share, lad,” said the Captain, gruffly.

”Thank you, sir,” responded Cales, as he swept the small pile of gold and jewels into the palm of his big hands.

”And mind ye, lad,” warned the Captain, ”I don't want any quarreling among yourselves or ye will hear from me.”

”Aye, aye, sir,” replied the sailor and backed out of the cabin.

There was an interesting gathering in the forecastle when Jack Cales deposited his handful of treasures on the top of a sea chest that had been hauled out for the purpose.

For once it was not necessary to have the lantern lit, for a broad band of suns.h.i.+ne shone down the steep ladder and cut a golden swath through the dingy gloom and fell athwart the chest and illuminated the group: the tall and swaggering Cales, the rugged, grizzled Pete, and the other sailormen; a typical group and not to be matched for picturesqueness anywhere; with their faces intent upon the center of the old black sea chest, where glowed and glittered the gold and jewels in the band of light that shone upon some of the faces of the intent group, while others were in the shadow. It was a scene such as Rembrandt--pardon, kind reader, I forgot for a moment, this is a simple narrative of Adventure.

”Pete,” said Cales, ”how the ladies will love you when they see a chain of glittering diamonds around your throat.”

”One thing is certain, lad,” replied the grizzled Pete, ”I won't be givin' none of my diamonds away to the ladies. I'll keep the stones safe in my jeans.”

”You'll have to be keerful, Pete,” rallied another, ”they'll be marrying you for your ill-gotten wealth, when they find out that you are an heiress. You can't help yourself, Pete. It won't make any difference because you are a pirate, that won't scare 'em. Not when they see them jewels.”

”What's the use of you boys a talkin' to me,” he said with a wise wink, ”you're only kittens. I'm sixty year old and I'm a free man yit.”

”Here's a pill for you, Pop,” said Cales, dropping a diamond into his h.o.r.n.y hand.

”Gee! I'm just as well pleased to get this as I was to get a bunch of popcorn when I was a kid back in New England, off the Christmas tree.”

”Better have it sot in one of your front teeth, Pop,” said Jack. This produced a roar of laughter, for Pete's front teeth were conspicuous by their absence.

So the distribution went on without any bickering at first, only jovial jokes, but at last there came a bone of contention over the last diamond. And in a jiffy Jack Cales and a short, stocky sailor were all tangled up in a fierce encounter. Their comrades, none too gently, hoisted them up on deck. There they continued their fight.

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