In the meantime our parents appeared on the scene to learn the cause of our protracted absence from home.  It is needless to say that there was no rod of correction held over us that day.

If I had taken care of my share of the treasure as I should have done after my father’s death, I would be living in luxury and comfort to-day; but, even regretting my poor judgment, I can now thank a good Providence that I have been sustained through a long life, which has had an undue share of misfortune, by the splendid fortune which came to me in that happy May of long ago.

[Illustration:  “The decaying hulks of blockade runners that rise a little here and there above the waves”]

THE CONQUEST OF JAMESBY.

I reached home for tea a little late, and saw my young friend Jamesby in the back yard where he had gone to admire my fowls, in which I take a just pride.  Old Henry, my colored servant, was playing the part of host; for there was no one else at home.  When I made my appearance, the chickens had evidently become a matter of secondary interest.

Jamesby, a rising young banker of the city, was sitting on an empty box near the fence, and Henry was standing before him, leaning upon his cane, chuckling and talking in his customary deferential manner, which has always made him a very acceptable servant about my premises.

I approached without being observed, and did not hail them, for I did not wish to intrude too suddenly upon what appeared to be a very amusing subject of conversation.  I heard Jamesby say laughingly, “Why, it was in the paper this morning—­five or six columns of it!  It was a great big yarn.  I can’t imagine why he never told you anything about it.”

I knew what they were talking about.  I was well aware that I had told my tale of Money Island for publication; for had I not been sought after by men, women, and children for every imaginable explanation and sidelight relating to the story which might have been omitted from the Ms furnished the printer?  And had I not been asked to repeat by living voice facts in the narrative which I had written, as I thought, with entire clearness in the published story?  The boys had all read the story, and I had been put to my wits’ end to answer the questions asked by them; but I had assured several of them that if they would take a copy of the paper, go to the Island and there read it on the very spot where the treasure had been buried, and then and there take a careful survey of the situation, there would be no difficulty in their comprehending even the slightest detail.  This seemed to me to be a very sensible suggestion; and I suppose some of them will carry it out.

While I really enjoyed the experience of having entertained so many people that day, I was fairly well fatigued when I reached home, where I thought I could at least be quiet and free from the constant inquiries of interested friends.