Buried in a Book
by Ian Curtress
He was about eight or nine
when he became interested in pirates and treasure.
Soon had read all the books on the subject, fact
and fiction, in his local library. Living only a
few miles from the coast made it all the more
fascinating
His most engrossing thoughts were on buried
treasure. He knew there was gold and silver still
buried in Britains soil. Many finds have been
made by metal detectors.
He was determined to have one when he was older.
Dreamed about a hoard of precious gems and silver
coins.
Behind their cottage there was a wood where, with
his friends he made dens pretending to be pirates
escaping from the law. They drew treasure maps
with difficult clues.
It was a Saturday afternoon, he was on his own,
his friend was on holiday. He thought he would
make a real map of a special place in their wood.
He looked for an unusual spot but with trees
where identifying marks could be made to identify
the position. Having found a great place he went
home to think of something to bury.. His father
was a pipe smoker so there were always tobacco
tins somewhere in the house and choosing one was
easy.
Then he had a great idea. He would put something
special in the tin and instead of telling his
friends he would make several copies of the map
and put them inside appropriate books in the
library.
He took a penny from his pocket money and
polished it until it gleamed. Placed it in the
tin. With a note saying “there is silver
nearby”
And signed it. The Buccaneer!
Then dug a hole shown on the map and buried it.
He was relaxing after a hectic move into their
new home.
Now forty years of age. Not a midlife crisis but
you do think about your life in more detail.
He had married after University and they moved
abroad with the careers. Their Son and Daughter
were born abroad. It had been very rewarding but
nice to be home.
He looked at his nine year old Son, head in a
book…..and quietly laughed. His Son looked
up and said why the laugh.
Not about pirates is it it? No why.
Well I was mad about pirates, buried treasure,
gold and silver. In fact I buried some when I was
about your age. I drew maps and put them in
library books.
You did what!
Yes I know it was wrong to put things in library
books but I didn’t damage them. What did you
bury…. A penny coin and signed…..embarrassed…Buccaneer!
He laughed. Do you think it was found. We’ll
never know he said. Know what his Wife asked,
coming into the room.
Dad buried treasure when he was young and we are
going to find it Hold on he said, we are doing no
such thing.
The upshot was of course they were going to see
where he grew up and buried treasure!
Fortunately it was only about seventy miles away
and the drive was arranged for the following
Saturday. The drive was very pleasant and he had
forgotten how lovely the countryside was in that
County.
He warned them that after all these years there
will be development and the wood will have
disappeared.
His warning proved correct. The wood had gone and
in its place was an attractive group of lovey
stone cottages. Being nosey he drove in.
There was the name plate. “Buccaneer Loft”…….
and the the first cottage was named Penny Cottage.
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