The three boys crowded over the mysterious looking sheet, and appeared to be puzzling out its contents.
“That’s what it is all right,” commented Tom in a low voice.
“Certainly tells all about it,” added Hal.
“But that isn’t ‘reg’lar paper’,” said Bob.
“Mebbe—” began Jerry, making a bold front.
“Maybe what?” snapped Bob.
“Mebbe,” said Jerry with dry lips, “mebbe dat ole sword man done change dat papah on me. What’s de writin’ writ dar? Dat papah ain’t familiar to me, but Ah knows what de writin’ was.”
Bob handed the trembling colored boy the blood written sheet, and held the candle aloft. Jerry, his hands shaking and his lips trembling, managed to read:
“Anclote Key. Oak Tree Point. Fifty paces in line of trees east. Treasure. Dig, alone, at midnight.
“Black Pirate.”