The Forrest City times., 1888-03-03


 that he said: How many are you says l, to leayeP Four says he-four, and one of us wounded. As for that boy, l don't know where he Is, confound him. says he. nor don't much care. We're about sick of him. These was his words"
 "Is that all?' asked.
 "WeIl, it's all you're to hear; uiy son." re- turned Silver.
 And now am to choosey'
 And now you are to choose, and you may lay to that" said Silver.
 Well" said !, "l am not such fool but 1 know pretty well what have to look for. Let the wors, come to the worst it's little care. I've seen too many die since fell in with you. But there's thing or two have to tell you" l said. and by this tlme was quite excited; "and the first is this: here you are, in a bad way; ship lost, treasure lost, men lost: your whole business gone to wreck; and if you waGt to know who did 1t it was l! was in the apple barrel the night we sighted land, and l heard you, John, and you, Dick Johnson, and Hands, who is now at the bottom of the sea, ana told every word before the hour was out And as for the schooner, it was l who cut her cable, and 1t was who killed the men you had aboard of her and it was l who brought her where you'll never see her more not one of you The laughs on my side Eve had the top of this business from the irst; no more fear you than fear n.y. Kill me. If you please, or spare me. But one thing I'll say, and no more; if you spare me, bygones are bygones, and when you fellows are in court for piracy, I'll save you all can. It is for you to choose. Kill another and do yourselves no good, or spare me and keep 6 witness to save you from the gal lows"
 1 stopped, for, l tell you, l was out Of breath. and, to my wonder, not man of them moved, but all sat staring at me ike as many sheep. And while they were stll staring broke out again:
 And now, MT. Silver" said, "I believe you're the best man here. and If things go to the worst, I'll take it kind of you to lei the doctor know the way took it"
 ''I'll bear 1t in mind" said Silver, with an accent so curious, that l could not, for the life of me, decide whether he were laughing at my request or had been fayorably af- fected by my courage.
 "Ill put one to that" cried the old ma hogany-faced seaman-M0rgan by name whom 1 had seen in Long Johns public house upon the quays of Bristol Tt was him that knowed Black Dog"
 Well, and see here" added the sea-cook "rll put another again to that, by thunder {! for 1t was this same boy that faxed the chart from Billy Bones. First and last we've split upon Jim Hawkins!'
 Then here goes said Morgan with an oath.
 And he sprung up, drawing his knife as If he had been twenty.
 "Avast, therew cried Silver. "Who are you. Tom Morgan? Maybe you thought you were captain here, perhaps By the powers, but I'll teach you better Cross me and you'll go where many a good mans gone be- fore you, first and last these thirty year back-some to the yard-arm shiyer my sides! and some by the board, and all to feed the fishes. There's never a man looked me between the eyes and seen a good day afterwards, Tom Morgan, you may lay to that"
 Morgan paused; but hoarse murmur rose from the others.
 Toms right" said one
 'I stood hazlng long enough from one" added another. I'll be hanged if I'll be hazed by you, John Silver"
 Did any of you gentlemen want to have it out with nlef' roared Silver, bending far forward from his position on the keg, with his pipe still glowing in his right hand. Put name on what yod're at; you an't dumb. l reckon. Him that wants shall get 1t Have lived this many years, and son of a rum puncheOn cock his hat athwart my hawse at the latter end Of It? You know the way; you're all gentlemen O fortune, by your account Well, I'm ready. Take cutlass, him that dares, and I'll see the col or of his inside, cruteh and all before that pipe's empty"
 Not man stirred; not man answered.
 That's your sort Is itp' he added, re- turning his pipe to his mouth. Well you're a gay lot to look at anyway Not much worth to fight you aint Praps you can understand King Georges English. I'm cap'n here by lection. I'm cap'n here be- cause I'm the best man by long sea-mile. You won't fight as gentlemen O fortune should; then, by thunder, you'll obey, and you may lay to 1t like that boy, now; never seen better boy than that. He's more man than any pair of rats of you in this here house, and what say Is this: let me see him as lay hand on him-thats what ] say and you may lay to it."
 There was long pause after this. 1 stood straight up against the wall, my heart going like sledge-hammer, but the ray of hone now shining in my bosom. Silver leant back against the wall, his arms crossed, his pipe in the corner of his mouth, as calm as though he had been 1T church; yet his eve kept wandering turtively, and he kept the tail of 1t on his unruly followers. They on their part, drew gradually together toward the Tar end Of the block-house, and the low hiss Of their whispering sounded in my ear continuously, like str am. One after an- other they would look up and the red light Of the torch would fall for second on their nervous faces; but it was not toward me, 1t was toward Silver that they turned their eyes.
 "You seem to have lot to say" remarked Silver splitting far into the air. Pipe up and let me hear it, or lay to-"
 AK your pardon, sir" returned one of the men, you're pretty free with some of the rules; maybe you'll kindly keep an eve upon the rest The crews dissatisfied: this crew don't vally bullying a marlinspike: this crew has its rights like other crews. Pu make so free as that; and by your own rules take It we can talk together. ax your pardon, sir, acknowledging you for to be capnng at this present.; but claim my right, and step outside for council"
 And with an elaborate sea-saluta. thi. feI. | low long, Unlocking. yellow-eyed man of hve-and-thrty, stepped coolly toward the door and disappeared out Of the house. One after another, the rest followed his example: each making salute as he passed; each ad. | ding some apology. According to rules " said one. "Fo'e's'le council" said Morgan. And so with one remark or another all | marched out, and left me and Silver alone | with the torch.
 The sea-eook instantly removed his nine
 Now, look you here, Jim Hawkins" he | said In a steady whisper that was no more | than audible, you're within half a plank Q, | death, and, what's long sight worse. of | torture. They're going to throw me off. But you mark, l stand by you through thick | and thin. didn't mean to; no, not tIiI won spoke up was about desperate to lose that much blunt and be hanged into the | bargain. But see you was the right sor,