Baddeck

“ Subsequent experience led us to believe that the only man in the world, out of Baddeck, who knew anything about it lives in Boston, and sells tickets to it, or rather towards it.
There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it, when the traveler is settled simply as to his destination, and commits himself to his unknown fate and all the anticipations of adventure before him. We experienced this pleasure as we ascended to the deck of the steamboat and snuffed the fresh air of Boston Harbor. ”

“ The next morning the semi-weekly steamboat from Sydney came into the bay, and drew all the male inhabitants of Baddeck down to the wharf; and the two travelers, reluctant to leave the hospitable inn, and the peaceful jail, and the double-barreled church, and all the loveliness of this reposeful place, prepared to depart. The most conspicuous person on the steamboat was a thin man, whose extraordinary height was made more striking by his very long-waisted black coat and his very short pantaloons. ”

“ For it was you who first taught me to say the name Baddeck; it was you who showed me its position on the map, and a seductive letter from a home missionary on Cape Breton Island, in relation to the abundance of trout and salmon in his field of labor. That missionary, you may remember, we never found, nor did we see his tackle; but I have no reason to believe that he does not enjoy good fishing in the right season. You understand the duties of a home missionary much better than I do, and you know whether he would be likely to let a couple of strangers into the best part of his preserve. ”

“ We telegraphed our coming to Baddeck, and departed. For twenty-five cents one can send a dispatch to any part of the Dominion, except the region where the Western Union has still a foothold.
Our conveyance was a one-horse wagon, with one seat. The horse was well enough, but the seat was narrow for three people, and the entire establishment had in it not much prophecy of Baddeck for that day. But we knew little of the power of Cape Breton driving. It became evident that we should reach Baddeck soon enough, if we could cling to that wagon-seat. The morning sun was hot. ”

“ We had put ourselves upon a great line of travel, and had only to resign ourselves to its flow in order to reach the desired haven. The agent at the wharf assured us that it was not necessary to buy through tickets to Baddeck,—he spoke of it as if it were as easy a place to find as Swampscott,—it was a conspicuous name on the cards of the company, we should go right on from St. John without difficulty. The easy familiarity of this official with Baddeck, in short, made us ashamed to exhibit any anxiety about its situation or the means of approach to it. ”

“ There is a harmony of beauty about the Bras d'Or at Baddeck which is lacking in many scenes of more pretension. No. We advise no person to go to Cape Breton. But if any one does go, he need not lack occupation. If he is there late in the fall or early in the winter, he may hunt, with good luck, if he is able to hit anything with a rifle, the moose and the caribou on that long wilderness peninsula between Baddeck and Aspy Bay, where the old cable landed. He may also have his fill of salmon fishing in June and July, especially on the Matjorie River. ”

“ Beyond the bordering mountains, to the northward, is a dreary and almost uninhabited table-land stretching to the Atlantic Ocean, where the long projection of remote Cape North stands in silent grandeur within seventy-five miles of Newfoundland.
Upon the verge of the northern Bras d'Or Lake, in a charming situation, is the little town of Baddeck, 308 its houses scattered over the sloping hillsides and the church spires rising among the trees. A pretty island stands out in front as a protective breakwater, for storms often sweep wildly across the broad waters. ”

“ In this atmosphere, which seemed to flow over all these Atlantic isles at this season, one endures a great deal of exertion with little fatigue; or he is content to sit still, and has no feeling of sluggishness. Mere living is a kind of happiness, and the easy-going traveler is satisfied with little to do and less to see, Let the reader not understand that we are recommending him to go to Baddeck. ”

“ There would not another boat leave Shediac on this route till the following Tuesday,—quite too late for our purpose. The reader sees where we were, and will be prepared, if he has a map (and any feelings) , to appreciate the masterly strategy that followed.
II During the pilgrimage everything does not suit the tastes of the pilgrim.—TURKISH PROVERB.
One seeking Baddeck, as a possession, would not like to be detained a prisoner even in Eden,—much less in St. John, which is unlike Eden in several important respects. The tree of knowledge does not grow there, for one thing ”

“ It is enough to look out upon the magnificent night; the moon is now high, and swinging clear and distant; the air has grown chilly; the stars cannot be eclipsed by the greater light, but glow with a chastened fervor. ”

“ Several times Madge went to the railing to scan the bay for a glimpse of Rex. She wondered what could have detained him.
Jose served an early supper which the girls scarcely touched. By this time, Madge was thoroughly alarmed lest Rex fail to appear.
“Everything depends on him,” she thought. “I can do nothing unless he gets here before Enid leaves.”
And then, as she was ready to give him up, she saw his motor boat racing toward The Flora. Madge glanced quickly about and was relieved that Enid was not on deck.
“Did you get it?” she called softly, watching Rex make fast to the yacht. ”

“ At Loon Lake she had met Jack French, a handsome young forest ranger, who, in taking leave of her on the eve of her trip to Cheltham Bay, had warned her that before the summer ended she might see him again.
[20]
Madge had been elated at the thought of spending a vacation aboard the Burnett yacht. Enid was the daughter of a noted sportsman and collector of antiques, and since the death of her mother had been permitted to grow up much as she pleased. Notwithstanding, she was a cheerful, friendly sort of girl, not in the least spoiled. ”

“ Madge had begun to fear that she would never have a chance to speak privately with Rex when Enid announced that she was cold. Excusing herself, she went to her cabin for a coat.
In a few brief sentences, Madge explained the situation to Rex but there was no time to tell him of her plan, for they could hear Enid returning.
“I’ll tell you more tomorrow!” Madge whispered. “There’s just one thing you must do. Get another bowl the same size as the Zudi Drum and smuggle it aboard before nightfall. Remember how much is at stake, and don’t fail!” ”

“ Bonteck straightened up and turned quickly to Madeleine.
"Suppose we try to be serious for a minute or so, if we can," he offered, with what appeared to me to be forced soberness. "There is about one chance in a hundred million that there really was a buried treasure. That hundred millionth chance is yours, Madeleine. Neither Dick nor I would have noticed this piece of coral hidden under the vines if you hadn't pointed it out. ”

“ However, one had to make sure; there was the skipper of the steamer. Brundage was a trader, a man of hard repute, suffered. by the Dutch without love, he had been hoping to depart on the morrow when this boat left. He watched the girl go ashore and enter Hop Soy's very clean and respectable hotel—it was just sunset, too late for her to go on over the hill—then he went aboard and got the skipper to one side. He knew the man slightly.
"Nobody can hear us," he said, his rather bitter gray eyes boring deep. "Tell me who the woman is. Another governess?" ”

“ This circumstance serves to shew how much an Order of Merit is wanted in the naval service; for how many hundreds of sailors and marines have, like Patrick Gallaghan, richly deserved medals, or some other honorary distinctions, who, for the same reason, could not be made petty or non-commissioned officers.
It will be seen by reference to pp. 9–14, that Captain Badcock commanded a subdivision of boats in the Washington expedition: we have, therefore, only to add, that he was away from his ship 18 days and nights; the whole time in an open boat. ”

“ Had the cook, Frenchy, come aboard? Florence did not know. She knew that Tom Dennis was there, among men who indubitably meant him no good; whether his would-be assassin had reached Unalaska in time to join the ship, she knew not. She waited, shivering a little, until by degrees the red side-light vanished. Presently the lights showed green and white—and she knew that the tide was on the ebb, that the ship had swung about to her cable. There was a light breeze, but strong enough to carry the brig to sea.
Suddenly a flare lighted up the forward deck of the whaler. ”

“ Gradually, as the daylight fades, one after another of the singers becomes silent, the sounds of day are hushed, and a perfect silence reigns in the twilight amidst the trees. Without any warning we are conscious of the clean black-and-white face of an old badger over the earthwork outside his hole, and presently he is all in view, sitting with bowed fore-legs and his head turning on his lithe outstretched neck, scenting the night air. ”

“ It now fell calm, and Lieutenant Badcock ordered four of his men to the oars, in order to get the prize’s head off towards the frigate, and increase her distance from the shore. Whilst thus employed, a shot fired at the gig unfortunately drew his attention, and the prisoners, instigated thereto by the Anglo-Italian, rose, and regained possession of the vessel, but not until they had wounded him in the hand, and stunned him by a blow on the head, stabbed one of his men, and thrown two others overboard; leaving only four persons to resist the whole seventeen. ”

“ This altered everything, promising a short fight aboard the schooner, and after that a safe evasion; the craft could be towed out to catch the breeze, if necessary. The moonlight, filtering through the mist, made all things more deceptive.
“Looks good,” observed Job Warlock softly, as they got into the boat and pushed out. “Looks good, Dick! Now we got Nelly Barnes dead ahead.”
“I hope so,” returned Hampton. The Indian made a gesture for silence, and laid out his oars. ”

“ Madge demanded suspiciously. “I don’t believe you’re very anxious to rent your boat.” Without giving him an opportunity to reply, she took a small roll of bills from her pocketbook and handed him three. “Here’s your pay in advance.”
He accepted the money with obvious unwillingness and lifted her suitcase into the boat. She seated herself and he cast off the painter.
“Take me to The Flora,” she directed. “See, it’s that yacht this side of the buoy.”
Madge was unprepared for the effect her words produced upon the man. He turned quickly, his eyes smoldering. ”

“ Badger think so too?” asked Ada timidly.
“Why,” said Mr. Badger, “to tell the truth, Miss Clare, this view of the matter had not occurred to me until Mrs. Badger mentioned it. But when Mrs. Badger put it in that light, I naturally gave great consideration to it, knowing that Mrs. Badger’s mind, in addition to its natural advantages, has had the rare advantage of being formed by two such very distinguished (I will even say illustrious) public men as Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy and Professor Dingo. The conclusion at which I have arrived is—in short, is Mrs. Badger’s conclusion.” ”

“ Then the chief officer, the two fishermen and I jumped on board the barge and followed Badger down the companion hatch to the cabin.
It was a curious scene that was revealed in that little cupboard-like apartment by the light of Badger's electric torch. On each of the two lockers was stretched a man, securely lashed with lead-line and having drawn over his face a knitted stocking cap, while on the little triangular fixed table rested an iron-bound box which I instantly identified by my recollection of the description of the bullion-case in the ship's manifest. ”

“ Rex promptly extended a hearty invitation and Madge went to the cabin for her hat. Before going back on deck she carefully placed the jade pin in her purse.
Enid insisted that she was too tired to make another trip to the city, and Madge did not urge her. While she would have greatly enjoyed her chum’s companionship, she was looking forward to a private talk with Rex. Then too, she had a special mission in Cheltham Bay which she felt she could attend to much better alone. ”

“ Shortly afterwards, Sir John B. Warren gave over the command of the armament to Sir Edward Pellew, and proceeded on a cruise off the Western Islands, in hopes of falling in with some of the Spanish treasure ships from South America. The manner in which the Renown was employed between Nov. 1800 and July 1804, is described in our memoir of Captain John Chambers White, with whom Mr. Badcock returned to England, in the Kent 74 [2] . ”

“ Rex helped her into the motor boat and Enid watched until they were well away from the yacht. Before Madge could bring up the subject which was foremost in her mind, Rex spoke.
“I think Enid is making a serious mistake not to tell the police about that note. We can’t let her go to Cedar Point alone. Why, anything might happen to her.”
“We must prevent it if we can,” Madge returned quietly. “But just how can it be managed?” ”

“ When it was complete we found that we had penetrated to the under-layer of humus which told us that we had come to the rotted bottom of the chest in which the treasure had been buried.
I think Madeleine was the first to break the spell of breathless silence that had fallen upon us while we were digging and dog-scratching in the soft sand.
"It can't be true! I can't believe it!" she said, over and over again. "We are dreaming; we must be dreaming—all of us!"
Bonteck had hoisted himself out of the pit and was poising one of the gold bars in his hands. ”