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"Whither do we sail?" she questioned at last

"What hed

"Besides, I have no compass"

"There is one in the locker here, and with it a packet and a letter writ to you Shall I bring theaze averted So she hty dexterous) despite the ives me the letter It was sealed, and subscribed thus: "To my well-loved, trusty friend, co the seal, I read as follows: "For your sore head, Martin, I grieve, but the blow I regret no whit seeing it was struck to ourat sea betwixt the parallels 70 and 65 in an open boat and all by reason of circu for you, Martin, it much behoveth you to mark and heed well these my directions, to wit: You shall lay your course south-westerly, and that for these several and sufficing reasons, viz, (1) You lie out of the track of ships (2) These be treacherous seas, given to sudden furies of wind and raging tempest (3) I like not the look of the weather (4) Our Island lieth scarce twenty-four hours' sail due south-westerly Whereof I have drawn for your guidance a chart of these waters, together with a plan of our Island (very just and exact) Also a chart of the passage or channel through the barrier-reef, for saving this passage, there is no landing upon the island that I know of Nor shall you atte landed, Martin, you shall, with due regard to rest and refreshment, forthwith secure our Treasure (the secret whereof I have included with this my letter) Thereupon, and with all dispatch, you shall, troubling not for the gold or silver, take but the four caskets of jewels, and, setting them aboard your boat, sail away due West (three days) until you shall fetch up with another island, the which you shall know by its three several hills plain to be seen, and called Gibbet Island, since 'twas there I hanged one Juan Maldonada (and richly deserved it!) Here then you shall bury our Treasure (four caskets) in such place as see And if I join you not within two hty treasure three-quarters thereof be yours And if I come not within six months, then shall this fortune be wholly yours since I shall be beyond all need of it So now, Martin, good Fortune attend you Your boat (chosen bysince, and for this very purpose) is staunch, and an excellent sea-boat and very well stored with everything for your needs, as arms, clothes, food and the like Moreover within the treasure-cave is all h he bides on the land to his life's end need suffer no lack, but have his every comfort supplied