Asforourhero，methinksforthemomentheforgotallabouteverythingelsethanastowhetherornohiscaptain’smaneuverwouldsucceed，forintheveryfirstmomenthedivined，asbysomeinstinct，whatCaptainMorganpurposeddoing。
Atthismoment，soparticularintheexecutionofthisnicedesign，abulletsuddenlystruckdownthemanatthewheel。
Hearingthesharpoutcry，ourHarryturnedtoseehimfallforward，andthentohishandsandkneesuponthedeck，thebloodrunninginablackpoolbeneathhim，whilethewheel，escapingfromhishands，spunoveruntilthespokeswereallofamist。
Inamomenttheshipwouldhavefallenoffbeforethewindhadnotourhero，leapingtothewheelevenasCaptainMorganshoutedanorderforsomeonetodoso，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，forthenextmorningtheSpanishcaptainaverypoliteandwell-bredgentlemanhavingfittedhimoutwithashiftofhisownclothes，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，andwhoshouldcomesteppingaboardbutLieutenantGrantleyaparticularfriendofourhero’sfatherandhisowneldestbrotherThomas，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，hehassometimestoldtheseadventuresandsundryothersnothererecounted，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。
AsheopenedthedooranddashedintothedarkenedcabinforbothMattandMollywerelongagoasleepinbedtherewasaflashoflight，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，andhemarriedhisprettycousinTheodosiawhohadbeennamedforhisownmother，drownedintheBristolMerchant。
Hedidnotforgethisfriends，buthadParsonJonesbroughttoNewYorktolive。
AstoMollyandMattAbrahamson，theybothenjoyedapensionoftenpoundsayearforaslongastheylived；fornowthatallwaswellwithhim，Tomborenogrudgeagainsttheoldfishermanforallthedrubbingshehadsuffered。
ThetreasureboxwasbroughtontoNewYork，andifTomChistdidnotgetallthemoneytherewasinitasParsonJoneshadopinedhewouldhegotatleastagoodbiglumpofit。
AnditismybeliefthatthoselogbooksdidmoretogetCaptainKiddarrestedinBostontownandhangedinLondonthananythingelsethatwasbroughtupagainsthim。