第4章

Asforourhero，methinksforthemomentheforgotallabouteverythingelsethanastowhetherornohiscaptain’smaneuverwouldsucceed，forintheveryfirstmomenthedivined，asbysomeinstinct，whatCaptainMorganpurposeddoing。

Atthismoment，soparticularintheexecutionofthisnicedesign，abulletsuddenlystruckdownthemanatthewheel。

Hearingthesharpoutcry，ourHarryturnedtoseehimfallforward，andthentohishandsandkneesuponthedeck，thebloodrunninginablackpoolbeneathhim，whilethewheel，escapingfromhishands，spunoveruntilthespokeswereallofamist。

Inamomenttheshipwouldhavefallenoffbeforethewindhadnotourhero，leapingtothewheel(evenasCaptainMorganshoutedanorderforsomeonetodoso)，seizedtheflyingspokes，whirlingthembackagain，andsobringingthebowofthegalleonuptoitsformercourse。

Inthefirstmomentofthisefforthehadreckonedofnothingbutofcarryingouthiscaptain’sdesigns。Heneitherthoughtofcannonballsnorofbullets。Butnowthathistaskwasaccomplished，hecamesuddenlybacktohimselftofindthegalleriesofthegalleyaflamewithmusketshots，andtobecomeawarewithamosthorriblesinkingofthespiritsthatalltheshotstherefromwereintendedforhim。Hecasthiseyesabouthimwithdespair，butnoonecametoeasehimofhistask，which，havingundertaken，hehadtoomuchspirittoresignfromcarryingthroughtotheend，thoughhewaswellawarethattheverynextinstantmightmeanhissuddenandviolentdeath。Hisearshummedandrang，andhisbrainswamaslightasafeather。Iknownotwhetherhebreathed，butheshuthiseyestightasthoughthatmightsavehimfromthebulletsthatwererainingabouthim。

AtthismomenttheSpaniardsmusthavediscoveredforthefirsttimethepirates’design，forofasuddentheyceasedfiring，andbegantoshoutoutamultitudeoforders，whiletheoarslashedthewaterallaboutwithafoam。Butitwastoolatethenforthemtoescape，forwithinacoupleofsecondsthegalleonstruckherenemyablowsoviolentuponthelarboardquarterasnearlytohurlourHarryuponthedeck，andthenwithadreadful，horriblecracklingofwood，commingledwithayellingofmen’svoices，thegalleywasswungarounduponherside，andthegalleon，sailingintotheopensea，leftnothingofherimmediateenemybutasinkingwreck，andthewaterdottedalloverwithbobbingheadsandwavinghandsinthemoonlight。

Andnow，indeed，thatalldangerwaspastandgone，therewereplentytocomerunningtohelpourheroatthewheel。AsforCaptainMorgan，havingcomedownuponthemaindeck，hefetchestheyounghelmsmanaclapupontheback。”Well，MasterHarry，”

sayshe，”anddidInottellyouIwouldmakeamanofyou？”

WhereatourpoorHarryfella-laughing，butwithasadcatchinhisvoice，forhishandstrembledaswithanague，andwereascoldasice。Asforhisemotions，Godknowshewasnearercryingthanlaughing，ifCaptainMorganhadbutknownit。

Nevertheless，thoughundertakenunderthespurofthemoment，I

protestitwasindeedabravedeed，andIcannotbutwonderhowmanyyounggentlemenofsixteenthereareto-daywho，uponalikeoccasion，wouldactaswellasourHarry。

V

Thebalanceofourhero’sadventureswereofalightersortthanthosealreadyrecounted，forthenextmorningtheSpanishcaptain(averypoliteandwell-bredgentleman)havingfittedhimoutwithashiftofhisownclothes，MasterHarrywaspresentedinaproperformtotheladies。ForCaptainMorgan，ifhehadfeltalikingfortheyoungmanbefore，couldnotnowshowsufficientregardforhim。Heateinthegreatcabinandwaspettedbyall。

MadamSimon，whowasafatandred-facedlady，wasforeverpraisinghim，andtheyoungmiss，whowasextremelywell-

looking，wasascontinuallymakingeyesathim。

SheandMasterHarry，Imusttellyou，wouldspendhourstogether，shemakingpretenseofteachinghimFrench，althoughhewassopossessedwithapassionoflovethathewasnighsuffocatedwithit。She，uponherpart，perceivinghisemotions，respondedwithextremegoodnatureandcomplacency，sothathadourherobeenolder，andthevoyageprovedlonger，hemighthavebecomeentirelyenmeshedinthetoilsofhisfairsiren。Forallthiswhile，youaretounderstand，thepiratesweremakingsailstraightforJamaica，whichtheyreacheduponthethirddayinperfectsafety。

Inthattime，however，thepirateshadwell-nighgonecrazyforjoy；forwhentheycametoexaminetheirpurchasetheydiscoveredhercargotoconsistofplatetotheprodigioussumofL180，000

invalue。’Twasawondertheydidnotallmakethemselvesdrunkforjoy。NodoubttheywouldhavedonesohadnotCaptainMorgan，knowingtheywerestillintheexacttrackoftheSpanishfleets，threatenedthemthatthefirstmanamongthemwhotouchedadropofrumwithouthispermissionhewouldshoothimdeaduponthedeck。ThisthreathadsucheffectthattheyallremainedentirelysoberuntiltheyhadreachedPortRoyalHarbor，whichtheydidaboutnineo’clockinthemorning。

Andnowitwasthatourhero’sromancecamealltumblingdownabouthisearswitharun。Fortheyhadhardlycometoanchorintheharborwhenaboatcamefromaman-of-war，andwhoshouldcomesteppingaboardbutLieutenantGrantley(aparticularfriendofourhero’sfather)andhisowneldestbrotherThomas，who，puttingonaverysternface，informedMasterHarrythathewasadesperateandhardenedvillainwhowassuretoendatthegallows，andthathewastogoimmediatelybacktohishomeagain。Hetoldourembryopiratethathisfamilyhadnighgonedistractedbecauseofhiswickedandungratefulconduct。Norcouldourheromovehimfromhisinflexiblepurpose。”What，”saysourHarry，”andwillyounotthenletmewaituntilourprizeisdividedandIgetmyshare？””Prize，indeed！”sayshisbrother。”Anddoyouthenreallythinkthatyourfatherwouldconsenttoyourhavingashareinthisterriblebloodyandmurtheringbusiness？”

Andso，afteragooddealofargument，ourherowasconstrainedtogo；nordidheevenhaveanopportunitytobidadieutohisinamorata。Nordidheseeheranymore，exceptfromadistance，shestandingonthepoopdeckashewasrowedawayfromher，herfaceallstainedwithcrying。Forhimself，hefeltthattherewasnomorejoyinlife；nevertheless，standingupinthesternoftheboat，hemadeshift，thoughwithanachingheart，todeliverherafinebowwiththehathehadborrowedfromtheSpanishcaptain，beforehisbrotherbadehimsitdownagain。

Andsototheendingofthisstory，withonlythistorelate，thatourMasterHarry，sofarfromgoingtothegallows，becameingoodtimearespectableandwealthysugarmerchantwithanEnglishwifeandafinefamilyofchildren，whereunto，whenthemoodwasuponhim，hehassometimestoldtheseadventures(andsundryothersnothererecounted)，asIhavetoldthemuntoyou。

IV

TOMCHISTANDTHETREASUREBOX

AnOld-timeStoryoftheDaysofCaptainKiddI

TOtellaboutTomChist，andhowhegothisname，andhowhecametobelivingatthelittlesettlementofHenlopen，justinsidethemouthoftheDelawareBay，thestorymustbeginasfarbackas1686，whenagreatstormswepttheAtlanticcoastfromendtoend。DuringtheheaviestpartofthehurricaneabarkwentashoreontheHen-and-ChickenShoals，justbelowCapeHenlopenandatthemouthoftheDelawareBay，andTomChistwastheonlysoulofallthoseonboardtheill-fatedvesselwhoescapedalive。

Thisstorymustfirstbetold，becauseitwasonaccountofthestrangeandmiraculousescapethathappenedtohimatthattimethathegainedthenamethatwasgiventohim。

EvenaslateasthattimeoftheAmericancolonies，thelittlescatteredsettlementatHenlopen，madeupofEnglish，withafewDutchandSwedishpeople，wasstillonlyaspotuponthefaceofthegreatAmericanwildernessthatspreadaway，withswampandforest，nomanknewhowfartothewestward。Thatwildernesswasnotonlyfullofwildbeasts，butofIndiansavages，whoeveryfallwouldcomeinwanderingtribestospendthewinteralongtheshoresofthefresh-waterlakesbelowHenlopen。Thereforfourorfivemonthstheywouldliveuponfishandclamsandwildducksandgeese，chippingtheirarrowheads，andmakingtheirearthenwarepotsandpansundertheleeofthesandhillsandpinewoodsbelowtheCapes。

SometimesonSundays，whentheRev。HillaryJoneswouldbepreachinginthelittlelogchurchbackinthewoods，thesehalf-cladredsavageswouldcomeinfromthecold，andsitsquattinginthebackpartofthechurch，listeningstolidlytothewordsthathadnomeaningforthem。

Butaboutthewreckofthebarkin1686。SuchawreckasthatwhichthenwentashoreontheHen-and-ChickenShoalswasagodsendtothepoorandneedysettlersinthewildernesswheresofewgoodthingsevercame。Forthevesselwenttopiecesduringthenight，andthenextmorningthebeachwasstrewnwithwreckage——boxesandbarrels，chestsandspars，timbersandplanks，aplentifulandbountifulharvest，tobegatheredupbythesettlersastheychose，withnoonetoforbidorpreventthem。

Thenameofthebark，asfoundpaintedonsomeofthewaterbarrelsandseachests，wastheBristolMerchant，andshenodoubthailedfromEngland。

Aswassaid，theonlysoulwhoescapedaliveoffthewreckwasTomChist。

Asettler，afishermannamedMattAbrahamson，andhisdaughterMolly，foundTom。Hewaswasheduponthebeachamongthewreckage，inagreatwoodenboxwhichhadbeensecurelytiedaroundwitharopeandlashedbetweentwospars——apparentlyforbetterprotectioninbeatingthroughthesurf。MattAbrahamsonthoughthehadfoundsomethingofmorethanusualvaluewhenhecameuponthischest；butwhenhecutthecordsandbrokeopentheboxwithhisbroadax，hecouldnothavebeenmoreastonishedhadhebeheldasalamanderinsteadofababyofnineortenmonthsoldlyinghalfsmotheredintheblanketsthatcoveredthebottomofthechest。

MattAbrahamson’sdaughterMollyhadhadababywhohaddiedamonthorsobefore。Sowhenshesawthelittleonelyingthereinthebottomofthechest，shecriedoutinagreatloudvoicethattheGoodManhadsentheranotherbabyinplaceofherown。

Therainwasdrivingbeforethehurricanestormindim，slantingsheets，andsoshewrappedupthebabyintheman’scoatsheworeandranoffhomewithoutwaitingtogatherupanymoreofthewreckage。

ItwasParsonJoneswhogavethefoundlinghisname。WhenthenewscametohisearsofwhatMattAbrahamsonhadfoundhewentovertothefisherman’scabintoseethechild。Heexaminedtheclothesinwhichthebabywasdressed。Theywereoffinelinenandhandsomelystitched，andthereverendgentlemanopinedthatthefoundling’sparentsmusthavebeenofquality。Akerchiefhadbeenwrappedaroundthebaby’sneckandunderitsarmsandtiedbehind，andinthecorner，markedwithveryfineneedlework，weretheinitialsT。C。”Whatd’yecallhim，Molly？”saidParsonJones。Hewasstanding，ashespoke，withhisbacktothefire，warminghispalmsbeforetheblaze。Thepocketofthegreatcoatheworebulgedoutwithabigcasebottleofspiritswhichhehadgatheredupoutofthewreckthatafternoon。”Whatd’yecallhim，Molly？””I’llcallhimTom，aftermyownbaby。””Thatgoesverywellwiththeinitialonthekerchief，”saidParsonJones。”Butwhatothernamed’yegivehim？LetitbesomethingtogowiththeC。””Idon’tknow，”saidMolly。”Whynotcallhim’Chist，’sincehewasborninachistoutofthesea？’TomChist’——thenamegoesofflikeaflashinthepan。”

Andso”TomChist”hewascalledand”TomChist”hewaschristened。

SomuchforthebeginningofthehistoryofTomChist。ThestoryofCaptainKidd’streasureboxdoesnotbeginuntilthelatespringof1699。

Thatwastheyearthatthefamouspiratecaptain，comingupfromtheWestIndies，sailedhissloopintotheDelawareBay，wherehelayforoveramonthwaitingfornewsfromhisfriendsinNewYork。

ForhehadsentwordtothattownaskingifthecoastwasclearforhimtoreturnhomewiththerichprizehehadbroughtfromtheIndianseasandthecoastofAfrica，andmeantimehelaythereintheDelawareBaywaitingforareply。BeforeheleftheturnedthewholeofTomChist’slifetopsy-turvywithsomethingthathebroughtashore。

BythattimeTomChisthadgrownintoastrong-limbed，thick-jointedboyoffourteenorfifteenyearsofage。Itwasamiserabledog’slifehelivedwitholdMattAbrahamson，fortheoldfishermanwasinhiscupsmorethanhalfthetime，andwhenhewassotherewashardlyadaypassedthathedidnotgiveTomacurseorabuffetor，aslikeasnot，anactualbeating。Onewouldhavethoughtthatsuchtreatmentwouldhavebrokenthespiritofthepoorlittlefoundling，butithadjusttheoppositeeffectuponTomChist，whowasoneofyourstubborn，sturdy，stiff-willedfellowswhoonlygrowharderandmoretoughthemoretheyareill-treated。IthadbeenalongtimenowsincehehadmadeanyoutcryorcomplaintatthehardusagehesufferedfromoldMatt。Atsuchtimeshewouldshuthisteethandbearwhatevercametohim，untilsometimesthehalf-drunkenoldmanwouldbedrivenalmostmadbyhisstubbornsilence。Maybehewouldstopinthemidstofthebeatinghewasadministering，and，grindinghisteeth，wouldcryout:”Won’tyesaynaught？Won’tyesaynaught？Well，then，I’llseeifIcan’tmakeyesaynaught。”WhenthingshadreachedsuchapassasthisMollywouldgenerallyinterferetoprotectherfosterson，andthensheandTomwouldtogetherfighttheoldmanuntiltheyhadwrenchedthestickorthestrapoutofhishand。ThenoldMattwouldchasethemoutofdoorsandaroundandaroundthehouseformaybehalfanhour，untilhisangerwascool，whenhewouldgobackagain，andforatimethestormwouldbeover。

Besideshisfostermother，TomChisthadaverygoodfriendinParsonJones，whousedtocomeovereverynowandthentoAbrahamson’shutuponthechanceofgettingahalfdozenfishforbreakfast。HealwayshadakindwordortwoforTom，whoduringthewintereveningswouldgoovertothegoodman’shousetolearnhisletters，andtoreadandwriteandcipheralittle，sothatbynowhewasabletospellthewordsoutoftheBibleandthealmanac，andknewenoughtochangetuppenceintofourha’pennies。

ThisisthesortofboyTomChistwas，andthisisthesortoflifeheled。

Inthelatespringorearlysummerof1699CaptainKidd’ssloopsailedintothemouthoftheDelawareBayandchangedthewholefortuneofhislife。

AndthisishowyoucometothestoryofCaptainKidd’streasurebox。

II

OldMattAbrahamsonkepttheflat-bottomedboatinwhichhewentfishingsomedistancedowntheshore，andintheneighborhoodoftheoldwreckthathadbeensunkontheShoals。Thiswastheusualfishinggroundofthesettlers，andhereoldMatt’sboatgenerallylaydrawnuponthesand。

Therehadbeenathunderstormthatafternoon，andTomhadgonedownthebeachtobaleouttheboatinreadinessforthemorning’sfishing。

Itwasfullmoonlightnow，ashewasreturning，andthenightskywasfulloffloatingclouds。Nowandthentherewasadullflashtothewestward，andonceamutteringgrowlofthunder，promisinganotherstormtocome。

AllthatdaythepiratesloophadbeenlyingjustofftheshorebackoftheCapes，andnowTomChistcouldseethesailsglimmeringpallidlyinthemoonlight，spreadfordryingafterthestorm。Hewaswalkinguptheshorehomewardwhenhebecameawarethatatsomedistanceaheadofhimtherewasaship’sboatdrawnuponthelittlenarrowbeach，andagroupofmenclusteredaboutit。Hehurriedforwardwithagooddealofcuriositytoseewhohadlanded，butitwasnotuntilhehadcomeclosetothemthathecoulddistinguishwhoandwhattheywere。Thenheknewthatitmustbeapartywhohadcomeoffthepiratesloop。Theyhadevidentlyjustlanded，andtwomenwereliftingoutachestfromtheboat。Oneofthemwasanegro，nakedtothewaist，andtheotherwasawhitemaninhisshirtsleeves，wearingpetticoatbreeches，aMontereycapuponhishead，aredbandannahandkerchiefaroundhisneck，andgoldearringsinhisears。Hehadalong，plaitedqueuehangingdownhisback，andagreatsheathknifedanglingfromhisside。Anotherman，evidentlythecaptainoftheparty，stoodatalittledistanceastheyliftedthechestoutoftheboat。Hehadacaneinonehandandalightedlanternintheother，althoughthemoonwasshiningasbrightasday。Heworejackbootsandahandsomelacedcoat，andhehadalong，droopingmustachethatcurleddownbelowhischin。

Heworeafine，featheredhat，andhislongblackhairhungdownuponhisshoulders。

AllthisTomChistcouldseeinthemoonlightthatglintedandtwinkleduponthegiltbuttonsofhiscoat。

TheyweresobusyliftingthechestfromtheboatthatatfirsttheydidnotobservethatTomChisthadcomeupandwasstandingthere。Itwasthewhitemanwiththelong，plaitedqueueandthegoldearringsthatspoketohim。”Boy，whatdoyouwanthere，boy？”hesaid，inarough，hoarsevoice。”Whered’yecomefrom？”

Andthendroppinghisendofthechest，andwithoutgivingTomtimetoanswer，hepointedoffdownthebeach，andsaid，”You’dbetterbegoingaboutyourownbusiness，ifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou；anddon’tyoucomeback，oryou’llfindwhatyoudon’twantwaitingforyou。”

Tomsawinaglancethatthepirateswerealllookingathim，andthen，withoutsayingaword，heturnedandwalkedaway。Themanwhohadspokentohimfollowedhimthreateninglyforsomelittledistance，asthoughtoseethathehadgoneawayashewasbiddentodo。Butpresentlyhestopped，andTomhurriedonalone，untiltheboatandthecrewandallweredroppedawaybehindandlostinthemoonlightnight。Thenhehimselfstoppedalso，turned，andlookedbackwhencehehadcome。

Therehadbeensomethingverystrangeintheappearanceofthemenhehadjustseen，somethingverymysteriousintheiractions，andhewonderedwhatitallmeant，andwhattheyweregoingtodo。Hestoodforalittlewhilethuslookingandlistening。Hecouldseenothing，andcouldhearonlythesoundofdistanttalking。Whatweretheydoingonthelonelyshorethusatnight？

Then，followingasuddenimpulse，heturnedandcutoffacrossthesandhummocks，skirtingaroundinland，butkeepingprettyclosetotheshore，hisobjectbeingtospyuponthem，andtowatchwhattheywereaboutfromthebackofthelowsandhillsthatfrontedthebeach。

Hehadgonealongsomedistanceinhiscircuitousreturnwhenhebecameawareofthesoundofvoicesthatseemedtobedrawingclosertohimashecametowardthespeakers。Hestoppedandstoodlistening，andinstantly，ashestopped，thevoicesstoppedalso。Hecrouchedtheresilentlyinthebright，glimmeringmoonlight，surroundedbythesilentstretchesofsand，andthestillnessseemedtopressuponhimlikeaheavyhand。Thensuddenlythesoundofaman’svoicebeganagain，andasTomlistenedhecouldhearsomeoneslowlycounting。”Ninety-one，”

thevoicebegan，”ninety-two，ninety-three，ninety-four，ninety-five，ninety-six，ninety-seven，ninety-eight，ninety-nine，onehundred，onehundredandone”——theslow，monotonouscountcomingnearerandnearer；”onehundredandtwo，onehundredandthree，onehundredandfour，”andsooninitsmonotonousreckoning。

Suddenlyhesawthreeheadsappearabovethesandhill，soclosetohimthathecroucheddownquicklywithakeenthrill，closebesidethehummocknearwhichhestood。Hisfirstfearwasthattheymighthaveseenhiminthemoonlight；buttheyhadnot，andhisheartroseagainasthecountingvoicewentsteadilyon。”Onehundredandtwenty，”itwassaying——”andtwenty-one，andtwenty-two，andtwenty-three，andtwenty-four，”andthenhewhowascountingcameoutfrombehindthelittlesandyriseintothewhiteandopenlevelofshimmeringbrightness。

ItwasthemanwiththecanewhomTomhadseensometimebeforethecaptainofthepartywhohadlanded。Hecarriedhiscaneunderhisarmnow，andwasholdinghislanternclosetosomethingthatheheldinhishand，anduponwhichhelookednarrowlyashewalkedwithaslowandmeasuredtreadinaperfectlystraightlineacrossthesand，countingeachstepashetookit。”Andtwenty-five，andtwenty-six，andtwenty-seven，andtwenty-eight，andtwenty-nine，andthirty。”

Behindhimwalkedtwootherfigures；onewasthehalf-nakednegro，theotherthemanwiththeplaitedqueueandtheearrings，whomTomhadseenliftingthechestoutoftheboat。Nowtheywerecarryingtheheavyboxbetweenthem，laboringthroughthesandwithshufflingtreadastheyboreitonward。Ashewhowascountingpronouncedtheword”thirty，”thetwomensetthechestdownonthesandwithagrunt，thewhitemanpantingandblowingandwipinghissleeveacrosshisforehead。Andimmediatelyhewhocountedtookoutaslipofpaperandmarkedsomethingdownuponit。Theystoodthereforalongtime，duringwhichTomlaybehindthesandhummockwatchingthem，andforawhilethesilencewasuninterrupted。IntheperfectstillnessTomcouldhearthewashingofthelittlewavesbeatinguponthedistantbeach，andoncethefar-awaysoundofalaughfromoneofthosewhostoodbytheship’sboat。

One，two，threeminutespassed，andthenthemenpickedupthechestandstartedonagain；andthenagaintheothermanbeganhiscounting。”Thirtyandone，andthirtyandtwo，andthirtyandthree，andthirtyandfour”——hewalkedstraightacrossthelevelopen，stilllookingintentlyatthatwhichheheldinhishand——”andthirtyandfive，andthirtyandsix，andthirtyandseven，”andsoon，untilthethreefiguresdisappearedinthelittlehollowbetweenthetwosandhillsontheoppositesideoftheopen，andstillTomcouldhearthesoundofthecountingvoiceinthedistance。

Justastheydisappearedbehindthehilltherewasasuddenfaintflashoflight；andbyandby，asTomlaystilllisteningtothecounting，heheard，afteralonginterval，afar-awaymuffledrumbleofdistantthunder。Hewaitedforawhile，andthenaroseandsteppedtothetopofthesandhummockbehindwhichhehadbeenlying。Helookedallabouthim，buttherewasnooneelsetobeseen。Thenhesteppeddownfromthehummockandfollowedinthedirectionwhichthepiratecaptainandthetwomencarryingthechesthadgone。Hecreptalongcautiously，stoppingnowandthentomakesurethathestillheardthecountingvoice，andwhenitceasedhelaydownuponthesandandwaiteduntilitbeganagain。

Presently，sofollowingthepirates，hesawthethreefiguresagaininthedistance，and，skirtingaroundbackofahillofsandcoveredwithcoarsesedgegrass，hecametowhereheoverlookedalittleopenlevelspacegleamingwhiteinthemoonlight。

Thethreehadbeencrossingthelevelofsand，andwerenownotmorethantwenty-fivepacesfromhim。Theyhadagainsetdownthechest，uponwhichthewhitemanwiththelongqueueandthegoldearringshadseatedtoresthimself，thenegrostandingclosebesidehim。Themoonshoneasbrightasdayandfulluponhisface。ItwaslookingdirectlyatTomChist，everylineaskeencutwithwhitelightsandblackshadowsasthoughithadbeencarvedinivoryandjet。Hesatperfectlymotionless，andTomdrewbackwithastart，almostthinkinghehadbeendiscovered。Helaysilent，hisheartbeatingheavilyinhisthroat；buttherewasnoalarm，andpresentlyheheardthecountingbeginagain，andwhenhelookedoncemorehesawtheyweregoingawaystraightacrossthelittleopen。Asoft，slidinghillockofsandlaydirectlyinfrontofthem。Theydidnotturnaside，butwentstraightoverit，theleaderhelpinghimselfupthesandyslopewithhiscane，stillcountingandstillkeepinghiseyesfixeduponthatwhichheheldinhishand。Thentheydisappearedagainbehindthewhitecrestontheotherside。

SoTomfollowedthemcautiouslyuntiltheyhadgonealmosthalfamileinland。Whennexthesawthemclearlyitwasfromalittlesandyrisewhichlookeddownlikethecrestofabowluponthefloorofsandbelow。Uponthissmooth，whitefloorthemoonbeatwithalmostdazzlingbrightness。

Thewhitemanwhohadhelpedtocarrythechestwasnowkneeling，busiedatsomework，thoughwhatitwasTomatfirstcouldnotsee。Hewaswhittlingthepointofastickintoalongwoodenpeg，andwhen，byandby，hehadfinishedwhathewasabout，hearoseandsteppedtowherehewhoseemedtobethecaptainhadstuckhiscaneuprightintothegroundasthoughtomarksomeparticularspot。Hedrewthecaneoutofthesand，thrustingthestickdowninitsstead。Thenhedrovethelongpegdownwithawoodenmalletwhichthenegrohandedtohim。Thesharprappingofthemalletuponthetopofthepegsoundedloudtheperfectstillness，andTomlaywatchingandwonderingwhatitallmeant。

Theman，withquick-repeatedblows，drovethepegfartherandfartherdownintothesanduntilitshowedonlytwoorthreeinchesabovethesurface。Ashefinishedhisworktherewasanotherfaintflashoflight，andbyandbyanothersmotheredrumbleofthunder，andTom，ashelookedouttowardthewestward，sawthesilverrimoftheroundandsharplyoutlinedthundercloudrisingslowlyupintotheskyandpushingtheotherandbrokendriftingcloudsbeforeit。

Thetwowhitemenwerenowstoopingoverthepeg，thenegromanwatchingthem。Thenpresentlythemanwiththecanestartedstraightawayfromthepeg，carryingtheendofameasuringlinewithhim，theotherendofwhichthemanwiththeplaitedqueueheldagainstthetopofthepeg。Whenthepiratecaptainhadreachedtheendofthemeasuringlinehemarkedacrossuponthesand，andthenagaintheymeasuredoutanotherstretchofspace。

Sotheymeasuredadistancefivetimesover，andthen，fromwhereTomlay，hecouldseethemanwiththequeuedriveanotherpegjustatthefootofaslopingriseofsandthatsweptupbeyondintoatallwhitedunemarkedsharpandclearagainstthenightskybehind。Assoonasthemanwiththeplaitedqueuehaddriventhesecondpegintothegroundtheybeganmeasuringagain，andso，stillmeasuring，disappearedinanotherdirectionwhichtooktheminbehindthesanddunewhereTomnolongercouldseewhattheyweredoing。

Thenegrostillsatbythechestwherethetwohadlefthim，andsobrightwasthemoonlightthatfromwherehelayTomcouldseetheglintofittwinklinginthewhitesofhiseyeballs。

Presentlyfrombehindthehilltherecame，forthethirdtime，thesharprappingsoundofthemalletdrivingstillanotherpeg，andthenafterawhilethetwopiratesemergedfrombehindtheslopingwhitenessintothespaceofmoonlightagain。

Theycamedirecttowherethechestlay，andthewhitemanandtheblackmanliftingitoncemore，theywalkedawayacrossthelevelofopensand，andsoonbehindtheedgeofthehillandoutofTom’ssight。

III

TomChistcouldnolongerseewhatthepiratesweredoing，neitherdidhedaretocrossovertheopenspaceofsandthatnowlaybetweenthemandhim。Helaytherespeculatingastowhattheywereabout，andmeantimethestormcloudwasrisinghigherandhigherabovethehorizon，withlouderandloudermutteringsofthunderfollowingeachdullflashfromoutthecloudy，cavernousdepths。Inthesilencehecouldhearanoccasionalclickasofsomeironimplement，andheopinedthatthepirateswereburyingthechest，thoughjustwheretheywereatworkhecouldneitherseenortell。

Stillhelaytherewatchingandlistening，andbyandbyapuffofwarmairblewacrossthesand，andathumpingtumbleoflouderthunderleapedfromoutthebellyofthestormcloud，whicheveryminutewascomingnearerandnearer。StillTomChistlaywatching。

Suddenly，almostunexpectedly，thethreefiguresreappearedfrombehindthesandhill，thepiratecaptainleadingtheway，andthenegroandwhitemanfollowingclosebehindhim。Theyhadgoneabouthalfwayacrossthewhite，sandylevelbetweenthehillandthehummockbehindwhichTomChistlay，whenthewhitemanstoppedandbentoverasthoughtotiehisshoe。

Thisbroughtthenegroafewstepsinfrontofhiscompanion。

Thatwhichthenfollowedhappenedsosuddenly，sounexpectedly，soswiftly，thatTomChisthadhardlytimetorealizewhatitallmeantbeforeitwasover。Asthenegropassedhimthewhitemanarosesuddenlyandsilentlyerect，andTomChistsawthewhitemoonlightglintuponthebladeofagreatdirkknifewhichhenowheldinhishand。Hetookone，twosilent，catlikestepsbehindtheunsuspectingnegro。Thentherewasasweepingflashofthebladeinthepallidlight，andablow，thethumpofwhichTomcoulddistinctlyhearevenfromwherehelaystretchedoutuponthesand。Therewasaninstantechoingyellfromtheblackman，whoranstumblingforward，whostopped，whoregainedhisfooting，andthenstoodforaninstantasthoughrootedtothespot。

Tomhaddistinctlyseentheknifeenterhisback，andeventhoughtthathehadseentheglintofthepointasitcameoutfromthebreast。

Meantimethepiratecaptainhadstopped，andnowstoodwithhishandrestinguponhiscanelookingimpassivelyon。

Thentheblackmanstartedtorun。Thewhitemanstoodforawhileglaringafterhim；thenhe，too，startedafterhisvictimupontherun。TheblackmanwasnotveryfarfromTomwhenhestaggeredandfell。Hetriedtorise，thenfellforwardagain，andlayatlength。Atthatinstantthefirstedgeofthecloudcutacrossthemoon，andtherewasasuddendarkness；butinthesilenceTomheardthesoundofanotherblowandagroan，andthenpresentlyavoicecallingtothepiratecaptainthatitwasallover。

Hesawthedimformofthecaptaincrossingthelevelsand，andthen，asthemoonsailedoutfrombehindthecloud，hesawthewhitemanstandingoverablackfigurethatlaymotionlessuponthesand。

ThenTomChistscrambledupandranaway，plungingdownintothehollowofsandthatlayintheshadowsbelow。Overthenextriseheran，anddownagainintothenextblackhollow，andsoonoverthesliding，shiftingground，pantingandgasping。Itseemedtohimthathecouldhearfootstepsfollowing，andintheterrorthatpossessedhimhealmostexpectedeveryinstanttofeelthecoldknifebladeslidebetweenhisownribsinsuchathrustfrombehindashehadseengiventothepoorblackman。

Soheranonlikeoneinanightmare。Hisfeetgrewheavylikelead，hepantedandgasped，hisbreathcamehotanddryinhisthroat。ButstillheranandranuntilatlasthefoundhimselfinfrontofoldMattAbrahamson’scabin，gasping，panting，andsobbingforbreath，hiskneesrelaxedandhisthighstremblingwithweakness。

Asheopenedthedooranddashedintothedarkenedcabin(forbothMattandMollywerelongagoasleepinbed)therewasaflashoflight，andevenasheslammedtothedoorbehindhimtherewasaninstantpealofthunder，heavyasthoughagreatweighthadbeendroppedupontheroofofthesky，sothatthedoorsandwindowsofthecabinrattled。

IV

ThenTomChistcrepttobed，trembling，shuddering，bathedinsweat，hisheartbeatinglikeatriphammer，andhisbraindizzyfromthatlong，terror-inspiredracethroughthesoftsandinwhichhehadstriventooutstripheknewnotwhatpursuinghorror。

Foralong，longtimehelayawake，tremblingandchatteringwithnervouschills，andwhenhedidfallasleepitwasonlytodropintomonstrousdreamsinwhichheonceagainsaweverenacted，withvariousgrotesquevariations，thetragicdramawhichhiswakingeyeshadbeheldthenightbefore。

Thencamethedawningofthebroad，wetdaylight，andbeforetherisingofthesunTomwasupandoutofdoorstofindtheyoungdaydrippingwiththerainofovernight。

Hisfirstactwastoclimbthenearestsandhillandtogazeouttowardtheoffingwherethepirateshiphadbeenthedaybefore。

Itwasnolongerthere。

SoonafterwardMattAbrahamsoncameoutofthecabinandhecalledtoTomtogogetabitetoeat，foritwastimeforthemtobeawayfishing。

AllthatmorningtherecollectionofthenightbeforehungoverTomChistlikeagreatcloudofbodingtrouble。Itfilledtheconfinedareaofthelittleboatandspreadovertheentirewidespacesofskyandseathatsurroundedthem。Notforamomentwasitlifted。Evenwhenhewashaulinginhiswetanddrippinglinewithastrugglingfishattheendofitarecurrentmemoryofwhathehadseenwouldsuddenlycomeuponhim，andhewouldgroaninspiritattherecollection。HelookedatMattAbrahamson’sleatheryface，athislanternjawscavernouslyandstolidlychewingatatobaccoleaf，anditseemedmonstroustohimthattheoldmanshouldbesounconsciousoftheblackcloudthatwrappedthemallabout。

Whentheboatreachedtheshoreagainheleapedscramblingtothebeach，andassoonashisdinnerwaseatenhehurriedawaytofindtheDominieJones。

HeranallthewayfromAbrahamson’shuttotheparson’shouse，hardlystoppingonce，andwhenheknockedatthedoorhewaspantingandsobbingforbreath。

Thegoodmanwassittingontheback-kitchendoorstepsmokinghislongpipeoftobaccooutintothesunlight，whilehiswifewithinwasrattlingaboutamongthepansanddishesinpreparationoftheirsupper，ofwhichastrong，porkysmellalreadyfilledtheair。

ThenTomChisttoldhisstory，panting，hurrying，tumblingonewordoveranotherinhishaste，andParsonJoneslistened，breakingeverynowandthenintoanejaculationofwonder。Thelightinhispipewentoutandthebowlturnedcold。”AndIdon’tseewhytheyshouldhavekilledthepoorblackman，”

saidTom，ashefinishedhisnarrative。”Why，thatisveryeasyenoughtounderstand，”saidthegoodreverendman。”’Twasatreasureboxtheyburied！”

InhisagitationMr。Joneshadrisenfromhisseatandwasnowstumpingupanddown，puffingathisemptytobaccopipeasthoughitwerestillalight。”Atreasurebox！”criedoutTom。”Aye，atreasurebox！Andthatwaswhytheykilledthepoorblackman。Hewastheonlyone，d’yesee，besidestheytwowhoknewtheplacewhere’twashid，andnowthatthey’vekilledhimoutoftheway，there’snobodybutthemselvesknows。Thevillains——Tut，tut，lookatthatnow！”Inhisexcitementthedominiehadsnappedthestemofhistobaccopipeintwo。”Why，then，”saidTom，”ifthatisso，’tisindeedawicked，bloodytreasure，andfittobringacurseuponanybodywhofindsit！””’Tismoreliketobringacurseuponthesoulwhoburiedit，”

saidParsonJones，”anditmaybeablessingtohimwhofindsit。

Buttellme，Tom，doyouthinkyoucouldfindtheplaceagainwhere’twashid？””Ican’ttellthat，”saidTom，”’twasallinamongthesandhumps，d’yesee，anditwasatnightintothebargain。Maybewecouldfindthemarksoftheirfeetinthesand，”headded。”’Tisnotlikely，”saidthereverendgentleman，”forthestormlastnightwouldhavewashedallthataway。””Icouldfindtheplace，”saidTom，”wheretheboatwasdrawnuponthebeach。””Why，then，that’ssomethingtostartfrom，Tom，”saidhisfriend。”Ifwecanfindthat，thenmaybewecanfindwhithertheywentfromthere。””IfIwascertainitwasatreasurebox，”criedoutTomChist，”I

wouldrakeovereveryfootofsandbetwixthereandHenlopentofindit。””’Twouldbelikehuntingforapininahaystack，”saidtheRev。

HilaryJones。

AsTomwalkedawayhome，itseemedasthoughaton’sweightofgloomhadbeenrolledawayfromhissoul。ThenextdayheandParsonJonesweretogotreasure-huntingtogether；itseemedtoTomasthoughhecouldhardlywaitforthetimetocome。

V

ThenextafternoonParsonJonesandTomChiststartedofftogetherupontheexpeditionthatmadeTom’sfortuneforever。Tomcarriedaspadeoverhisshoulderandthereverendgentlemanwalkedalongbesidehimwithhiscane。

Astheyjoggedalongupthebeachtheytalkedtogetherabouttheonlythingtheycouldtalkabout——thetreasurebox。”Andhowbigdidyousay’twas？”quoththegoodgentleman。”Aboutsolong，”saidTomChist，measuringoffuponthespade，”andaboutsowide，andthisdeep。””Andwhatifitshouldbefullofmoney，Tom？”saidthereverendgentleman，swinginghiscanearoundandaroundinwidecirclesintheexcitementofthethought，ashestrodealongbriskly。”Supposeitshouldbefullofmoney，whatthen？””ByMoses！”saidTomChist，hurryingtokeepupwithhisfriend，”I’dbuyashipformyself，Iwould，andI’dtradetoInjyyandtoChinytomyownboot，Iwould。Supposethechistwasallfullofmoney，sir，andsupposeweshouldfindit；wouldtherebeenoughinit，d’yesuppose，tobuyaship？””Tobesuretherewouldbeenough，Tom，enoughandtospare，andagoodbiglumpover。””AndifIfindit’tisminetokeep，isit，andnomistake？””Why，tobesureitwouldbeyours！”criedouttheparson，inaloudvoice。”Tobesureitwouldbeyours！”Heknewnothingofthelaw，butthedoubtofthequestionbeganatoncetofermentinhisbrain，andhestrodealonginsilenceforawhile。”Whoseelsewoulditbebutyoursifyoufindit？”heburstout。”Canyoutellmethat？””IfeverIhaveashipofmyown，”saidTomChist，”andifeverI

sailtoInjyinher，I’llfetchyebackthebestchistoftea，sir，thateverwasfetchedfromCochinChiny。”

ParsonJonesburstoutlaughing。”Thankee，Tom，”hesaid；”andI’llthankeeagainwhenIgetmychistoftea。Buttellme，Tom，didstthoueverhearofthefarmergirlwhocountedherchickensbeforetheywerehatched？”

Itwasthustheytalkedastheyhurriedalongupthebeachtogether，andsocametoaplaceatlastwhereTomstoppedshortandstoodlookingabouthim。”’Twasjusthere，”hesaid，”Isawtheboatlastnight。Iknow’twashere，forImindmeofthatbitofwreckyonder，andthattherewasatallstakedroveinthesandjustwhereyonstakestands。”

ParsonJonesputonhisbarnaclesandwentovertothestaketowardwhichTompointed。Assoonashehadlookedatitcarefullyhecalledout:”Why，Tom，thishathbeenjustdrovedownintothesand。’Tisabrand-newstakeofwood，andthepiratesmusthavesetitherethemselvesasamark，justastheydrovethepegsyouspokeaboutdownintothesand。”

Tomcameoverandlookedatthestake。Itwasastoutpieceofoaknearlytwoinchesthick；ithadbeenshapedwithsomecare，andthetopofithadbeenpaintedred。Heshookthestakeandtriedtomoveit，butithadbeendrivenorplantedsodeeplyintothesandthathecouldnotstirit。”Aye，sir，”hesaid，”itmusthavebeensethereforamark，forI’msure’twasnothereyesterdayorthedaybefore。”Hestoodlookingabouthimtoseeiftherewereothersignsofthepirates’presence。Atsomelittledistancetherewasthecornerofsomethingwhitestickingupoutofthesand。Hecouldseethatitwasascrapofpaper，andhepointedtoit，callingout:”Yonderisapieceofpaper，sir。Iwonderiftheyleftthatbehindthem？”

Itwasamiraculouschancethatplacedthatpaperthere。Therewasonlyaninchofitshowing，andifithadnotbeenforTom’ssharpeyes，itwouldcertainlyhavebeenoverlookedandpassedby。Thenextwindstormwouldhavecovereditup，andallthatafterwardhappenedneverwouldhaveoccurred。”Look，sir，”hesaid，ashestruckthesandfromit，”ithathwritingonit。””Letmeseeit，”saidParsonJones。Headjustedthespectaclesalittlemorefirmlyastrideofhisnoseashetookthepaperinhishandandbeganconningit。”What’sallthis？”hesaid；”awholelotoffiguresandnothingelse。”Andthenhereadaloud，”’Mark——S。S。W。S。byS。’Whatd’yesupposethatmeans，Tom？””Idon’tknow，sir，”saidTom。”Butmaybewecanunderstanditbetterifyoureadon。””’Tisallagreatlotoffigures，”saidParsonJones，”withoutagrainofmeaninginthemsofarasIcansee，unlesstheybesailingdirections。”Andthenhebeganreadingagain:”’Mark——S。

S。W。byS。40，72，91，130，151，177，202，232，256，271’——d’yesee，itmustbesailingdirections——’299，335，362，386，415，446，469，491，522，544，571，598’——whatalotofthemtherebe’626，652，676，695，724，851，876，905，940，967。Peg。S。E。

byE。269foot。Peg。S。S。W。byS。427foot。Peg。Digtothewestofthissixfoot。’””What’sthataboutapeg？”exclaimedTom。”What’sthataboutapeg？Andthenthere’ssomethingaboutdigging，too！”Itwasasthoughasuddenlightbeganshiningintohisbrain。Hefelthimselfgrowingquicklyveryexcited。”Readthatoveragain，sir，”hecried。”Why，sir，yourememberItoldyoutheydroveapegintothesand。Anddon’ttheysaytodigclosetoit？Readitoveragain，sir——readitoveragain！””Peg？”saidthegoodgentleman。”Tobesureitwasaboutapeg。

Let’slookagain。Yes，hereitis。’PegS。E。byE。269foot。’””Aye！”criedoutTomChistagain，ingreatexcitement。”Don’tyourememberwhatItoldyou，sir，269foot？SurethatmustbewhatI

saw’emmeasuringwiththeline。”

ParsonJoneshadnowcaughttheflameofexcitementthatwasblazingupsostronglyinTom’sbreast。Hefeltasthoughsomewonderfulthingwasabouttohappentothem。”Tobesure，tobesure！”hecalledout，inagreatbigvoice。”Andthentheymeasuredout427footsouth-southwestbysouth，andtheythendroveanotherpeg，andthentheyburiedtheboxsixfoottothewestofit。Why，Tom——why，TomChist！ifwe’vereadthisaright，thyfortuneismade。”

TomChiststoodstaringstraightattheoldgentleman’sexcitedface，andseeingnothingbutitinallthebrightinfinityofsunshine。Werethey，indeed，abouttofindthetreasurechest？Hefeltthesunveryhotuponhisshoulders，andheheardtheharsh，insistentjarringofaternthathoveredandcircledwithforkedtailandsharpwhitewingsinthesunlightjustabovetheirheads；butallthetimehestoodstaringintothegoodoldgentleman’sface。

ItwasParsonJoneswhofirstspoke。”Butwhatdoallthesefiguresmean？”AndTomobservedhowthepapershookandrustledinthetremorofexcitementthatshookhishand。Heraisedthepapertothefocusofhisspectaclesandbegantoreadagain。”’Mark40，72，91——’””Mark？”criedoutTom，almostscreaming。”Why，thatmustmeanthestakeyonder；thatmustbethemark。”Andhepointedtotheoakenstickwithitsredtipblazingagainstthewhiteshimmerofsandbehindit。”Andthe40and72and91，”criedtheoldgentleman，inavoiceequallyshrill——”why，thatmustmeanthenumberofstepsthepiratewascountingwhenyouheardhim。””Tobesurethat’swhattheymean！”criedTomChist。”Thatisit，anditcanbenothingelse。Oh，come，sir——come，sir；letusmakehasteandfindit！””Stay！stay！”saidthegoodgentleman，holdinguphishand；andagainTomChistnoticedhowittrembledandshook。Hisvoicewassteadyenough，thoughveryhoarse，buthishandshookandtrembledasthoughwithapalsy。”Stay！stay！Firstofall，wemustfollowthesemeasurements。And’tisamarvelousthing，”hecroaked，afteralittlepause，”howthispaperevercametobehere。””Maybeitwasblownherebythestorm，”suggestedTomChist。”Likeenough；likeenough，”saidParsonJones。”Likeenough，afterthewretcheshadburiedthechestandkilledthepoorblackman，theyweresobuffetedandbowsedaboutbythestormthatitwasshookoutoftheman’spocket，andthusblewawayfromhimwithouthisknowingaughtofit。””Butletusfindthebox！”criedoutTomChist，flamingwithhisexcitement。”Aye，aye，”saidthegoodman；”onlystayalittle，myboy，untilwemakesurewhatwe’reabout。I’vegotmypocketcompasshere，butwemusthavesomethingtomeasureoffthefeetwhenwehavefoundthepeg。YourunacrosstoTomBrooke’shouseandfetchthatmeasuringrodheusedtolayouthisnewbyre。Whileyou’regoneI’llpaceoffthedistancemarkedonthepaperwithmypocketcompasshere。”

V

TomChistwasgoneforalmostanhour，thoughherannearlyallthewayandback，upborneasonthewingsofthewind。Whenhereturned，panting，ParsonJoneswasnowheretobeseen，butTomsawhisfootstepsleadingawayinland，andhefollowedthescufflingmarksinthesmoothsurfaceacrossthesandhumpsanddownintothehollows，andbyandbyfoundthegoodgentlemaninaspotheatonceknewassoonashelaidhiseyesuponit。

Itwastheopenspacewherethepirateshaddriventheirfirstpeg，andwhereTomChisthadafterwardseenthemkillthepoorblackman。TomChistgazedaroundasthoughexpectingtoseesomesignofthetragedy，butthespacewasassmoothandasundisturbedasafloor，exceptingwhere，midwayacrossit，ParsonJones，whowasnowstoopingoversomethingontheground，hadtrampleditallaroundabout。

WhenTomChistsawhimhewasstillbendingover，scrapingawayfromsomethinghehadfound。

Itwasthefirstpeg！

Insideofhalfanhourtheyhadfoundthesecondandthirdpegs，andTomChiststrippedoffhiscoat，andbegandigginglikemaddownintothesand，ParsonJonesstandingoverhimwatchinghim。

ThesunwasslopingwelltowardthewestwhenthebladeofTomChist’sspadestruckuponsomethinghard。

Ifithadbeenhisownheartthathehadhitinthesandhisbreastcouldhardlyhavethrilledmoresharply。

Itwasthetreasurebox！

ParsonJoneshimselfleapeddownintothehole，andbeganscrapingawaythesandwithhishandsasthoughhehadgonecrazy。Atlast，withsomedifficulty，theytuggedandhauledthechestupoutofthesandtothesurface，whereitlaycoveredalloverwiththegritthatclungtoit。Itwassecurelylockedandfastenedwithapadlock，andittookagoodmanyblowswiththebladeofthespadetoburstthebolt。ParsonJoneshimselfliftedthelid。TomChistleanedforwardandgazeddownintotheopenbox。Hewouldnothavebeensurprisedtohaveseenitfilledfullofyellowgoldandbrightjewels。Itwasfilledhalffullofbooksandpapers，andhalffullofcanvasbagstiedsafelyandsecurelyaroundandaroundwithcordsofstring。

ParsonJonesliftedoutoneofthebags，anditjingledashedidso。Itwasfullofmoney。

Hecutthestring，andwithtrembling，shakinghandshandedthebagtoTom，who，inanecstasyofwonderanddizzywithdelight，pouredoutwithswimmingsightuponthecoatspreadonthegroundacataractofshiningsilvermoneythatrangandtwinkledandjingledasitfellinashiningheapuponthecoarsecloth。

ParsonJonesheldupbothhandsintotheair，andTomstaredatwhathesaw，wonderingwhetheritwasallso，andwhetherhewasreallyawake。Itseemedtohimasthoughhewasinadream。

Thereweretwo-and-twentybagsinallinthechest:tenofthemfullofsilvermoney，eightofthemfullofgoldmoney，threeofthemfullofgolddust，andonesmallbagwithjewelswrappedupinwadcottonandpaper。”’Tisenough，”criedoutParsonJones，”tomakeusbothrichmenaslongaswelive。”

Theburningsummersun，thoughslopinginthesky，beatdownuponthemashotasfire；butneitherofthemnoticedit。Neitherdidtheynoticehungernorthirstnorfatigue，butsatthereasthoughinatrance，withthebagsofmoneyscatteredonthesandaroundthem，agreatpileofmoneyheapeduponthecoat，andtheopenchestbesidethem。ItwasanhourofsundownbeforeParsonJoneshadbegunfairlytoexaminethebooksandpapersinthechest。

Ofthethreebooks，twowereevidentlylogbooksofthepirateswhohadbeenlyingoffthemouthoftheDelawareBayallthistime。TheotherbookwaswritteninSpanish，andwasevidentlythelogbookofsomecapturedprize。

Itwasthen，sittingthereuponthesand，thegoodoldgentlemanreadinginhishigh，crackingvoice，thattheyfirstlearnedfromthebloodyrecordsinthosetwobookswhoitwaswhohadbeenlyinginsidetheCapeallthistime，andthatitwasthefamousCaptainKidd。Everynowandthenthereverendgentlemanwouldstoptoexclaim，”Oh，thebloodywretch！”or，”Oh，thedesperate，cruelvillains！”andthenwouldgoonreadingagainascraphereandascrapthere。

AndallthewhileTomChistsatandlistened，everynowandthenreachingoutfurtivelyandtouchingtheheapofmoneystilllyinguponthecoat。

OnemightbeinclinedtowonderwhyCaptainKiddhadkeptthosebloodyrecords。HehadprobablylaidthemawaybecausetheysoincriminatedmanyofthegreatpeopleofthecolonyofNewYorkthat，withthebooksinevidence，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletobringthepiratetojusticewithoutdraggingadozenormorefinegentlemenintothedockalongwithhim。Ifhecouldhavekepttheminhisownpossessiontheywoulddoubtlesshavebeenagreatweaponofdefensetoprotecthimfromthegallows。Indeed，whenCaptainKiddwasfinallybroughttoconvictionandhung，hewasnotaccusedofhispiracies，butofstrikingamutinousseamanupontheheadwithabucketandaccidentallykillinghim。

Theauthoritiesdidnotdaretryhimforpiracy。Hewasreallyhungbecausehewasapirate，andweknowthatitwasthelogbooksthatTomChistbroughttoNewYorkthatdidthebusinessforhim；hewasaccusedandconvictedofmanslaughterforkillingofhisownshipcarpenterwithabucket。

SoParsonJones，sittingthereintheslantinglight，readthroughtheseterriblerecordsofpiracy，andTom，withthepileofgoldandsilvermoneybesidehim，satandlistenedtohim。

Whataspectacle，ifanyonehadcomeuponthem！Buttheywerealone，withthevastarchofskyemptyabovethemandthewidewhitestretchofsandadesertaroundthem。Thesunsanklowerandlower，untiltherewasonlytimetoglancethroughtheotherpapersinthechest。

Theywerenearlyallgoldsmiths’billsofexchangedrawninfavorofcertainofthemostprominentmerchantsofNewYork。ParsonJones，ashereadoverthenames，knewofnearlyallthegentlemenbyhearsay。Aye，herewasthisgentleman；hethoughtthatnamewouldbeamong’em。What？HereisMr。So-and-so。

Well，ifalltheysayistrue，thevillainhasrobbedoneofhisownbestfriends。”Iwonder，”hesaid，”whythewretchshouldhavehiddenthesepaperssocarefullyawaywiththeothertreasures，fortheycoulddohimnogood？”Then，answeringhisownquestion:”Likeenoughbecausethesewillgivehimaholdoverthegentlementowhomtheyaredrawnsothathecanmakeagoodbargainforhisownneckbeforehegivesthebillsbacktotheirowners。Itellyouwhatitis，Tom，”hecontinued，”itisyouyourselfshallgotoNewYorkandbargainforthereturnofthesepapers。’Twillbeasgoodasanotherfortunetoyou。”

ThemajorityofthebillsweredrawninfavorofoneRichardChillingsworth，Esquire。”Andheis，”saidParsonJones，”oneoftherichestmenintheprovinceofNewYork。Youshallgotohimwiththenewsofwhatwehavefound。””WhenshallIgo？”saidTomChist。”Youshallgoupontheveryfirstboatwecancatch，”saidtheparson。Hehadturned，stillholdingthebillsinhishand，andwasnowfingeringoverthepileofmoneythatyetlaytumbledoutuponthecoat。”Iwonder，Tom，”saidhe，”ifyoucouldsparemeascoreorsoofthesedoubloons？””Youshallhavefiftyscore，ifyouchoose，”saidTom，burstingwithgratitudeandwithgenerosityinhisnewlyfoundtreasure。”YouareasfinealadaseverIsaw，Tom，”saidtheparson，”andI’llthankyoutothelastdayofmylife。”

Tomscoopedupadoublehandfulofsilvermoney。”Takeit。

sir，”hesaid，”andyoumayhaveasmuchmoreasyouwantofit。”

Hepoureditintothedishthatthegoodmanmadeofhishands，andtheparsonmadeamotionasthoughtoemptyitintohispocket。Thenhestopped，asthoughasuddendoubthadoccurredtohim。”Idon’tknowthat’tisfitformetotakethispiratemoney，afterall，”hesaid。”Butyouarewelcometoit，”saidTom。

Stilltheparsonhesitated。”Nay，”heburstout，”I’llnottakeit；’tisbloodmoney。”Andashespokehechuckedthewholedoublehandfulintothenowemptychest，thenaroseanddustedthesandfromhisbreeches。Then，withagreatdealofbustlingenergy，hehelpedtotiethebagsagainandputthemallbackintothechest。

Theyreburiedthechestintheplacewhencetheyhadtakenit，andthentheparsonfoldedthepreciouspaperofdirections，placeditcarefullyinhiswallet，andhiswalletinhispocket。”Tom，”hesaid，forthetwentiethtime，”yourfortunehasbeenmadethisday。”

AndTomChist，asherattledinhisbreechespocketthehalfdozendoubloonshehadkeptoutofhistreasure，feltthatwhathisfriendhadsaidwastrue。

AsthetwowentbackhomewardacrossthelevelspaceofsandTomChistsuddenlystoppedstock-stillandstoodlookingabouthim。”’Twasjusthere，”hesaid，digginghisheeldownintothesand，”thattheykilledthepoorblackman。””Andhereheliesburiedforalltime，”saidParsonJones；andashespokehedughiscanedownintothesand。TomChistshuddered。

Hewouldnothavebeensurprisediftheferruleofthecanehadstrucksomethingsoftbeneaththatlevelsurface。Butitdidnot，norwasanysignofthattragedyeverseenagain。For，whetherthepirateshadcarriedawaywhattheyhaddoneandburieditelsewhere，orwhetherthestorminblowingthesandhadcompletelyleveledoffandhiddenallsignofthattragedywhereitwasenacted，certainitisthatitnevercametosightagain——atleastsofarasTomChistandtheRev。HilaryJoneseverknew。

VII

Thisisthestoryofthetreasurebox。AllthatremainsnowistoconcludethestoryofTomChist，andtotellofwhatcameofhimintheend。

HedidnotgobackagaintolivewitholdMattAbrahamson。

ParsonJoneshadnowtakenchargeofhimandhisfortunes，andTomdidnothavetogobacktothefisherman’shut。

OldAbrahamsontalkedagreatdealaboutit，andwouldcomeinhiscupsandharanguegoodParsonJones，makingavastprotestationofwhathewoulddotoTom——ifheevercaughthim——forrunningaway。ButTomonalltheseoccasionskeptcarefullyoutofhisway，andnothingcameoftheoldman’sthreatenings。

Tomusedtogoovertoseehisfostermothernowandthen，butalwayswhentheoldmanwasfromhome。AndMollyAbrahamsonusedtowarnhimtokeepoutofherfather’sway。”He’sinasvileahumoraseverIsee，Tom，”shesaid；”hesitssulkingalldaylong，and’tismybeliefhe’dkillyeifhecaughtye。”

OfcourseTomsaidnothing，eventoher，aboutthetreasure，andheandthereverendgentlemankepttheknowledgethereoftothemselves。AboutthreeweekslaterParsonJonesmanagedtogethimshippedaboardofavesselboundforNewYorktown，andafewdayslaterTomChistlandedatthatplace。Hehadneverbeeninsuchatownbefore，andhecouldnotsufficientlywonderandmarvelatthenumberofbrickhouses，atthemultitudeofpeoplecomingandgoingalongthefine，hard，earthensidewalk，attheshopsandthestoreswheregoodshunginthewindows，and，mostofall，thefortificationsandthebatteryatthepoint，attherowsofthreateningcannon，andatthescarlet-coatedsentriespacingupanddowntheramparts。Allthiswasverywonderful，andsoweretheclusteredboatsridingatanchorintheharbor。

Itwaslikeanewworld，sodifferentwasitfromthesandhillsandthesedgylevelsofHenlopen。

TomChisttookuphislodgingsatacoffeehouseneartothetownhall，andthencehesentbythepostboyaletterwrittenbyParsonJonestoMasterChillingsworth。Inalittlewhiletheboyreturnedwithamessage，askingTomtocomeuptoMr。

Chillingsworth’shousethatafternoonattwoo’clock。

Tomwentthitherwithagreatdealoftrepidation，andhisheartfellawayaltogetherwhenhefounditafine，grandbrickhouse，threestorieshigh，andwithwrought-ironlettersacrossthefront。

Thecountinghousewasinthesamebuilding；butTom，becauseofMr。Jones’sletter，wasconducteddirectlyintotheparlor，wherethegreatrichmanwasawaitinghiscoming。Hewassittinginaleather-coveredarmchair，smokingapipeoftobacco，andwithabottleoffineoldMadeiraclosetohiselbow。

Tomhadnothadachancetobuyanewsuitofclothesyet，andsohecutnoveryfinefigureintheroughdresshehadbroughtwithhimfromHenlopen。NordidMr。Chillingsworthseemtothinkveryhighlyofhisappearance，forhesatlookingsidewaysatTomashesmoked。”Well，mylad，”hesaid，”andwhatisthisgreatthingyouhavetotellmethatissomightilywonderful？Igotwhat’s-his-name——Mr。Jones’s——letter，andnowIamreadytohearwhatyouhavetosay。”

Butifhethoughtbutlittleofhisvisitor’sappearanceatfirst，hesoonchangedhissentimentstowardhim，forTomhadnotspokentwentywordswhenMr。Chillingsworth’swholeaspectchanged。Hestraightenedhimselfupinhisseat，laidasidehispipe，pushedawayhisglassofMadeira，andbadeTomtakeachair。

HelistenedwithoutawordasTomChisttoldoftheburiedtreasure，ofhowhehadseenthepoornegromurdered，andofhowheandParsonJoneshadrecoveredthechestagain。OnlyoncedidMr。Chillingsworthinterruptthenarrative。”Andtothink，”hecried，”thatthevillainthisverydaywalksaboutNewYorktownasthoughhewereanhonestman，rufflingitwiththebestofus！

Butifwecanonlygetholdoftheselogbooksyouspeakof。Goon；tellmemoreofthis。”

WhenTomChist’snarrativewasended，Mr。Chillingsworth’sbearingwasasdifferentasdaylightisfromdark。Heaskedathousandquestions，allinthemostpoliteandgracioustoneimaginable，andnotonlyurgedaglassofhisfineoldMadeirauponTom，butaskedhimtostaytosupper。Therewasnobodytobethere，hesaid，buthiswifeanddaughter。

Tom，allinapanicattheverythoughtofthetwoladies，sturdilyrefusedtostayevenforthedishofteaMr。

Chillingsworthofferedhim。

Hedidnotknowthathewasdestinedtostaythereaslongasheshouldlive。”Andnow，”saidMr。Chillingsworth，”tellmeaboutyourself。””Ihavenothingtotell，YourHonor，”saidTom，”exceptthatI

waswashedupoutofthesea。””Washedupoutofthesea！”exclaimedMr。Chillingsworth。”Why，howwasthat？Come，beginatthebeginning，andtellmeall。”

ThereuponTomChistdidashewasbidden，beginningattheverybeginningandtellingeverythingjustasMollyAbrahamsonhadoftentoldittohim。Ashecontinued，Mr。Chillingsworth’sinterestchangedintoanappearanceofstrongerandstrongerexcitement。Suddenlyhejumpedupoutofhischairandbegantowalkupanddowntheroom。”Stop！stop！”hecriedoutatlast，inthemidstofsomethingTomwassaying。”Stop！stop！Tellme；doyouknowthenameofthevesselthatwaswrecked，andfromwhichyouwerewashedashore？””I’vehearditsaid，”saidTomChist，”’twastheBristolMerchant。””Iknewit！Iknewit！”exclaimedthegreatman，inaloudvoice，flinginghishandsupintotheair。”Ifeltitwassothemomentyoubeganthestory。Buttellmethis，wastherenothingfoundwithyouwithamarkoranameuponit？””Therewasakerchief，”saidTom，”markedwithaTandaC。””TheodosiaChillingsworth！”criedoutthemerchant。”Iknewit！

Iknewit！Heavens！tothinkofanythingsowonderfulhappeningasthis！Boy！boy！dostthouknowwhothouart？Thouartmyownbrother’sson。HisnamewasOliverChillingsworth，andhewasmypartnerinbusiness，andthouarthisson。”Thenheranoutintotheentryway，shoutingandcallingforhiswifeanddaughtertocome。

SoTomChist——orThomasChillingsworth，ashenowwastobecalled——didstaytosupper，afterall。

Thisisthestory，andIhopeyoumaylikeit。ForTomChistbecamerichandgreat，aswastobesupposed，andhemarriedhisprettycousinTheodosia(whohadbeennamedforhisownmother，drownedintheBristolMerchant)。

Hedidnotforgethisfriends，buthadParsonJonesbroughttoNewYorktolive。

AstoMollyandMattAbrahamson，theybothenjoyedapensionoftenpoundsayearforaslongastheylived；fornowthatallwaswellwithhim，Tomborenogrudgeagainsttheoldfishermanforallthedrubbingshehadsuffered。

ThetreasureboxwasbroughtontoNewYork，andifTomChistdidnotgetallthemoneytherewasinit(asParsonJoneshadopinedhewould)hegotatleastagoodbiglumpofit。

AnditismybeliefthatthoselogbooksdidmoretogetCaptainKiddarrestedinBostontownandhangedinLondonthananythingelsethatwasbroughtupagainsthim。