The Forrest City times., 1888-01-07

CHAPTER xr
 WHAT I HEARD IN THE APPLE BARREL. "No, not l." said Silver. Flint was cap'n; 1 was quartermaster, along of my timber leg. The same broadsds 1 lost my leg, old Pew lost his headlights. It was a master surgeon, him that ampytated me out of college and ail-Latin by the bucket and what not; but he was hanged like a dog and sun-dried like the rest, at Cor,o Castle. That was Roberts men, that was, and comed of changing names to their ships-Royal Fortune and so on. Now, what ship was cbristened, so let her stay, says. So it was with the Cassandra, as brought us all safe home from Malabar, after England took the viceroy of the Indies; so it was with the old Walrus, Flint's old ship. as I've seen a. muck with the red blood and fit to sink with gold"
 "a "Ahr' cried another voice, that of the youngest hand on board, and evidently full of admiration, The was the flower of the flock, was FlintP'
 Davis was man, too. by all accounts" said Silver. "I never sailed along of him; first with England. then with Flint, that's my story; and now here on my own account, in a manner of speaking. I laid by nine hun dred safe, from England and two thousand after Flint. That sin't bad for man before the mast--aIl safe in bank. 'Taint earning now, it's saving does it. you may lay to that. Where's all Englands men now? dunno. Where's Flints? Why, most on 'em aboard here, and glad to get the duff-been begging before that, some on 'em. Old Pew, as had lost his sight, and night have thought shame, spends twelve hundred pounds In year, like lord in Parliament Where i. he now? We'll, he's dead now and under matches; but for two years before that, shiver my timbersl the man was starving. He begged, and he stole, and he cut throats, and starved at that, by the powersr'
 Well, 1t ain't much use, after alL". said the young seaman.
 "'Tain't much use for fools, you may lav to it-that, nor nothing" cried Silver. But now, you look here you're young you are, but you're as smart as paint. 1 see that when set my eyes on you, and I'll talk to you like man"
 You may imagine how felt when heard this abomInable old rogue addressing anoth- CT in the very same words of fiattery as he had used to myself. 1 think, if l had been able, that would have killed him through the barrel. Meantime, he ran on, little sup posing he was overheard.
 Here it is about gentleman of fortune. They lives rough, and they risks swinging, but they eat and drink like fighting cocks, and when cruise is done, why its hundreds of pounds instead of hundreds of farthings in their pockets. Now, the most goes for run and good fling, and to sea again in their shirts. But that's net the course l lay. puts it all away, some here, some there, and none too much anywheres, by reason of suspicion. I'm fifty, mark you; once back from this cruise. set up gentleman in earn est Time enough, too, says you. Ah, but Pve lived easy in the meantime; never de- nied myself O nothing heart desires, and slept soft and ate dainty all my days, but when at sea, And how did 1 beginl Before tho mast like your
 Well" said tho other, but all the other moneys gone now, ain't itl You darent show face in Bristol after this"
 Why where might you suppose it wasp asked Silver derisively.
 At Bristol, in banks and places, an swered his companion.
 "It were" said the cook; ''it were when we weighed anchor. But my old missis has il all by now. And the Spy-glass is sold. lease and good will and rigging; and the old girls off to meet me. l would tell you
 
 jealousy among the mates"
 And can you trust your mlsses?" asked the other.
 Gentlemen of fortune" returned the cook, usually trusts little among them- selves, and right they are, you may lay it. But have way with mo, have. When mate brings a slip on his cable-one as knows me, 1 mean-lt won't be in the same world with old John. There was some that was feared of Pew, and some that was feared of Flint; but Flint his own self was feared of me. Feared he was, and proud. They was the toughest crew afioat was Flint's; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them. Well, now, tell you, I'm not boosting man, and you seen your self how easy keep company; but when 1 was quartermaster. i0nlbs wasn't the word for Flints old buccaneers. An, you may be sure of yourself in old Johns ship"
 Well, l tell you now" replied the lad, "l didn't half quarter like the job till 1 had this talk with you, John; but there's my hand on 1t tnow."
 And a brave lad you were. and smart, too" answered Silver, shaking hands so heartily that all the barrel shook, 'and Inner hgure-head for gentleman of fortune never clapped my eyes on"
 By this time had begun to understand the meaning of their terms, By gentle man of fortune" they plainly meant neither more nor less than a common pirate, and the little scene that had overheard was the last act in the corruption of one or the hon est hands-perhaps of the last one left aboard. But on this point was soon to be relieved, for Silver giving a little whistle, third man strolled up and sat down by the party.
 Dicks square," said Silver.
 ''0h, know'd Dick was square," return ed the voice of the coxswain. Israel Hands. Hes no fool, is Dick" And he turned his u quid and spat. But look here" he went N on. there's what want to know, Barbecue F how long are we a-going to stand of and N on like blessed bumboat? I've had a'most { enough O Cap'n Smollett; he's hazed me { long enough, by thunder! 1 want to go into that cabin, do. l want their pickles and wines, and that"
 Israel" said Silver. ''your head aint much account nor ever was. But you're able to hear, l reckon; leastways, your ears is big enough. Now. here's what say you'll berth forward. and you'll live hard, and you'll speak soft and you'll keep sober, till give the word; and you may lay to that, my SOL
 Well. don't say no, do I?' growled the coxswain. What say is, when? That's what say"
 "Whenl by the powersr' cried Silver. Well, now, If you want 10 know, I'll tell you when. The last moment can manage; and that's when. Here's first-rate sea man, Cap'n Smollett, sails the blessed ship for us. Here's this squire and doctor with a map and such-I don't know where it is. do 1T No more do you, says you. Well, then, mean this squire and doctor shall find the sun, and help us to get it aboard, by the powers. Then we'll see. If 1 was sure Of you all, sons of double Dutchmen, I'd have Cap'n Smollett navigate us halfway back again before struck"
 Why, we're all seamen aboard here. should think" said the lad Dick.
 were all foc's'le hands, you mean, snapped Silver. We can steer course, but