THE END OF JOHN WOLF’S NARRATIVE
The three looked at each other in amazement.
“John Richmond!” repeated Guy. “It is very strange. But read on. I think
I can guess how he acted.”
Luke Clark proceeded with the manuscript.
“After the mate became captain, things changed for the sailors.
Before, we had a strict disciplinarian, but a kindly one. No sailor
who did his duty had anything to complain of. After that we were in
charge of a tyrant. Captain Richmond, for this was his title now,
did not forget his experiences or animosities as mate. There were
several whom he disliked, but I think he hated me the most. He
would have abused me, but I knew his feelings, and did not give him
a chance.
“I think he disliked me all the more on that account. I could see,
by the way he looked at me at times, what hatred for me there was
in his heart. I think he disliked me the more because, though only
a common seaman, I had had a fine education, and he knew it. In
that respect I was his superior.
“Well, about this time there came a storm. It was a very violent
storm, unusual in that latitude, and it drove us out of our course
very considerably. Instead of trying to get into the regular route
for vessels bound to Bombay, Captain Richmond kept the ship in a
northeasterly course till we struck the Agalegas Islands.
“What could be his reason I did not comprehend, but I soon
understood only too well. He went on shore, taking myself and
another of the crew with him. We kept on till we reached the woods.
Then the captain took my companion with him, and bade me remain
where I was on some pretext. He was to come for me later on.
“I waited unsuspectingly till I got tired. Then I ascended the
hill, and to my dismay saw the Miranda--that was the name of our
vessel--under full sail, bearing out to sea. In an instant the
terrible truth flashed upon me. I had been left, helpless and
alone, on this unknown island, with very little chance of ever
leaving it, for it was not in the path of trading vessels.
“I was almost frantic when I realized what a fearful fate was
reserved for me. I shrieked, I shook my fist at the receding
vessel. I called down curses on the head of the fiend who had taken
upon me this terrible revenge, or rather had inflicted upon me this
unprovoked punishment, for I had done nothing to incur his
hostility.
“But do what I would I could not recall the Miranda. What excuse
the captain made for my absence I do not know; but though I had
friends on board, there was no one who would dare take my part, or
call him to account for his action.
“Four years have passed since then. They have been like forty. I
have not starved, for the berries and fruits which the island
affords, together with the fish I have been able to catch, have
sustained me. But there was no one with whom I could hold
converse--no one to whom I could speak, so it is a wonder I have
not forgotten my native tongue.
“For a time I bore up, sustained by the hope that some vessel would
touch at the island and carry me back to England. In the four years
I have seen two ships, but I was unable to attract the attention of
anyone on board.
“So hope died at last, and I have come to the conclusion that for
me there is no release, no way of escape. I am forty-two years of
age. Under ordinary circumstances I might hope to live thirty
years longer. But what would life be on this island, cut off from
human companionship? I would rather end it all, and have decided to
do so. When I have completed this record I shall go to a cliff on
the northern shore of the island, and fling myself into the sea.
Whether any eye will read these lines, I cannot tell. I hope so. I
hope that someone will learn the perfidious and cruel conduct of
John Richmond, and pity his poor victim.
JOHN WOLF.”
When the story had been read the three looked at one another in
stupefaction.
“It is terrible,” said Guy. “Why is it that such things are permitted?”
“Don’t you think, Guy, that this partly explains Captain Richmond’s
reluctance to stay here?” asked Abner Titcomb.
“Yes,” answered Guy, quickly. “I had not thought of that, but it is
probably the case.”
“A man who would be capable of wronging a poor sailor like John Wolf,
and dooming him to a hopeless captivity, is quite capable of repeating
the atrocious act,” observed Luke Clark, significantly.
“Yes,” said Titcomb, gravely. “I agree with you. It will be well for us
to find that treasure as soon as possible. We run a risk every time we
come here.”
Luke Clark had been turning over the leaves of the memorandum book from
which he had read the sailor’s story.
“There is something more,” he said; “a post-script. It may be important.
I will read it.”
This was what he read:
“I may as well record here an important discovery I chanced to make
one day. It is of no use to me, but it may benefit the persons into
whose hands this book may fall. At the north end of the island,
about two hundred feet from the edge of the bluff, there is a group
of trees arranged singularly in the shape of a cross. Between the
second and third trees, at about eighteen inches from the surface,
is a sailor’s chest, full of gold, silver, and jewels. I cannot
estimate the value, but it must be large. I fancy it was hidden
here by pirates. It must have been forgotten, however, for no one
has visited it since I have been on this island.
If I could only get away, this treasure would make me rich. It is a
tantalizing thought. As I am situated it is of no earthly use to
me. Some time--it may be years hence--it will be found by some
lucky person, perhaps by the one who reads this account, and it
will make him rich. Such good fortune is not for me. If I could
only escape from this island, which, charming as it is, I have
learned to detest, I would be willing to live in abject poverty for
the rest of my life. Wealth is far from my thoughts----”
“Is that all?” asked Guy, when Luke Clark stopped reading.
“Yes.”
“It is indeed strange. I thought the group of trees must be in the wood
somewhere. We have been on the wrong scent.”
“But we have succeeded at last. Let us be thankful for that. We can
probably finish up our work in a day or two, and then--we can go home.”
“We must go to Bombay first.”
“Yes. We can stand that, since the delay will be brief.”
“Shall we tell Captain Richmond that we have succeeded?” asked Luke.
“Perhaps it will be well to drop a hint that we are on the point of
making a discovery. That will encourage him, and insure his waiting. It
is not well to tell him too much.”
“It is time to go down to the beach. Only one day more!”
The three descended the hill, and reached the beach about five o’clock.
They were seen from the ship, and the boat was sent for them.
“Well,” said the captain, with his usual sneer, as they climbed on deck,
“have you discovered the mare’s nest?”
The remark was addressed to Guy.
“I have reason to think we shall locate the treasure to-morrow, Captain
Richmond.”
“What ground have you for that assertion?” asked the captain, quickly.
“Excuse my explaining now, but I have good reasons for my belief.”
Captain Richmond scanned Guy closely, being surprised by his confident
tone.
Guy’s face was bright and cheerful, and confirmed his words. He thought
that the captain would question him further, but the commander only
looked thoughtful, and turning on his heel without a word went down to
his cabin.
“I wish I could read his thoughts,” Guy said to himself. “He doesn’t
seem glad that I am likely to succeed. He even looks as if he were
disappointed.”
“Very likely. He’s a strange man, and a disagreeable one.”
Later in the evening, say about nine o’clock, Abner Titcomb and Luke
Clark were leaning over the side, talking, as was natural, of the
stirring events of the day, when the captain passed, neither of them
being aware of his nearness.
There was one word which caught his attention. It was the name Miranda.
He stopped short, and there was a startled look on his face.
“Did I hear the name Miranda?” he asked, quickly.
“Yes,” answered Titcomb, conscious of his imprudence.
The captain turned away, but he looked suspicious and agitated, and
began to mutter to himself, looking darkly from time to time at the two
men.
“Does he suspect anything, do you think?” asked Titcomb.
“No; I don’t think so.”
“All the same, I wish that I had kept my tongue between my teeth.”