Porto Bello gold

ARTHUR D. HOWDEN SMITH
NEW YORK BRENTANO'S PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1924, by ARTHUR D. HOWDEN SMITH All rights reserved First printing, August, 1924 Second printing, September, 1924
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
OTHER NOVELS BY ARTHUR D. HOWDEN SMITH HISTORICAL THE DOOM TRAIL BEYOND THE SUNSET ADVENTURE THE TREASURE OF THE BUCOLEON
To R. L. S.
Oh, Tusitala, you who lie Under the wide and starry sky On that Samoan hill, Think not this wretched, miswrought tale Is meant to breast the thundering gale Of your great art and skill— As well the humble trading bark Might sail to cloudland with the lark! Be patient, sir, until We meet on some far height of dreams And I explain just why it seems John Silver's with us still, And all the raffish, ruffian crew That you and young Jim Hawkins knew— They burst Time's dungeon-grill!
FENLEY HUNTER, Esq., Flushing, N. Y.
DEAR FEN:
You are responsible for some of the incidents in this roaring yarn, and for that and other reasons it should be inscribed to you—who, in your own person, lead a life as swaggeringly varied from the existence of office, home and country-club as any character I have created between these covers. If it detains you from the out-trail for a night or two, persuades you to sample the pleasures of the sheltered hearth, I shall be rewarded.