The Search for the Silver City | Page 7

top of its head. Having done this
he remained motionless, his victim seeming to be literally paralyzed,
and there was nothing for the boatman to do but pull in on the float,
disengage his animated fishhook by a dextrous pressure on the sucker
after both had been drawn aboard, and send the repulsive looking
servant out again.
Although the Jew fish must have weighed at least a hundred pounds, he
was landed without difficulty, and Jake gravely assured his companions
that a sucking fish could "pull up the whole bottom of the ocean
providin' the rope on his tail was strong enough to stand the strain."
Then the engineer told a story which did not bear quite so hard on the
imagination since it was absolutely true, and began by saying as he
pointed toward the little fortification known as Montague fort:
"That place has been the headquarters of at least a dozen pirates, the
worst of which was called Black Beard, a bloodthirsty villain who sunk
two vessels right where we are anchored this blessed minute. The
feller's real name was John Teach, an' that big banyan tree over there is
where he used to hold what he allowed was court martials.
"He was drunk about three-quarters of the time, an' allers had a great
spree when there were any prisoners on hand. He an' his men would get
the poor wretches to the tree, go through all the ceremony of a reg'lar
trial, an' allers end by stringin' every blessed one of 'em up in such a
way as to prevent 'em from dyin' quick, when a fire'd be built
underneath, so's to roast the whole lot.
"They do say he buried all the treasure among the roots of the banyan,
an' many's the one who has dug for it; but so far as I ever heard, not a
single piece has been found. While he lived this wasn't a very pleasant
harbor for them as cared about a livin' to make."
"What became of him finally?" Teddy asked.
"An English man-of-war got hold of him after awhile, an' he was strung
on the yardarm to dry. If I'd been in command of the vessel he should

have found out how it felt to be roasted. Say, don't you boys want to go
over to Potter's cay?"
"What is to be seen there?"
"The sponge yards, an' it's a great sight if you never visited one."
"It is too hot," Neal replied with a very decided shake of the head.
Jake did not urge the matter, for just at that moment the second port
boat was lowered, and Mr. Walters made ready to go ashore with his
precious bundle of aromatic ambergris.
Idly the boys watched the perspiring party, pressing handkerchiefs to
their faces meanwhile, since, despite the wrappings of canvas, the
valuable mass gave most decided proof of its being in the vicinity, and
when the boat started for the shore Neal and Teddy clambered into the
hammocks, for even leaning over the rail was an exertion in the sultry
atmosphere.
During the middle of the day both the boys slept, for a siesta is as
necessary as food in hot climates, and when the light breeze of evening
crept over the waters Mr. Emery came aboard with the welcome
intelligence that his business had been concluded.
"We will get under way again before midnight," he said as he stepped
over the rail, and was received by Mr. Walters. "Now that a breeze has
set in it should be cool enough to permit of the men's working without
fear of prostration."
"It would use me up to walk fore and aft twice," Neal said in an
undertone to Teddy; "but it isn't for us to complain of the heat if we can
get out of this furnace."
Jake was nowhere to be seen. It was as if after his invitation to go on
shore had been declined he betook himself to some other portion of the
yacht, where he could perspire without allowing the others to see his
suffering, and the boys swung to and fro until the hour came when the

singing of steam told that preparations for departure were being made.
There could be no doubt but that Nassau would be a pleasant place in
which to spend the winter months; but it was by no means desirable
during the summer, and when the Sea Dream left the little harbor where
the water was hardly more than sufficient to float her, both Neal and
Teddy gave vent to a sigh of relief.
"We are to run south until it is possible to give the banks a clear berth,
and then stand straight up the coast for home," the former said as the
yacht glided almost noiselessly over