The Irish standard., 1897-10-23

begged and he stole. and he cut Threats,
and starved at that, by the powcrs!"
well, it amt much use, after ALL"
said the young seaman.
"'Tain't much use for fools, you may
lay to it-that, nor nothing" cried Sill"
yer. But now, you look here; you're
young, you are, but you're as smart
aspant. lsec thatwhen set my eyes on
you, and I'll talk to you like Il man."
You can imagine how ! felt when
heard this abominable old rogue nd
dressing another in the very Same
words of flattery he had used to myself.
think, if had been able, would
have killed him through tho barrel.
Meantime he ran on, little supposing ho
he was overheard.
''Ilcrc it is about gentlemen of for
tune. They lives rough, and they risk
swinging, but they eat and drink like
fighting cocks. and when n cruise is
done, why. it's hundreds of pounds in
stead Of hundreds of rarthings in their
pockets. Now, the most goes for mum
and good fling, and to sea again in
their shirts. But that's not the course
] lay. Iputs it away, some here, some
there, and none too much unywhcres,
by reason of suspicion. I'm so, mark
you; once back from this cruise, set up
gentleman i'll earnest. Time enough,
too, say you. All! but I've lived easy
in the meantime; never denied myself
O nothing heart desires, and slept
soft and eat dainty all my days, but
when at sea. And how did l begin?
Before the mast like you'll"
WELL" said the other, "but all tho
other moneys gone now, amt it? You
daren't show face in Bristol after this"
why, where might you suppose it
WASP? asked Silver. dcrisively.
cat Bristol, in banks and Places"
answered his companion.
at were," said the cook; at wero
when we weighed aHohor. But my old
missis has it all by NOW. And the Spy
glass is sold, lease ',alhd goodwill and
rigging; and the OLD girls Off to meet
me. I would tcH,hynu where, for
trust you; but itt'ud make jealousy
among the matcs.",i IA
"And you can trust your missis?"
asked the other. So g
Gentlemen of fortnne," returned
the cook, "usually,drusts little among
themselves, and right they are, You
may lay to it. But have a way with
me, have. When a mate brings slip
on his cable--onc as knows me, mean
it won't be in the same world with
old John. There was some that was
feared of Pew, ard 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
atioat, was Flnt's; the devil himself
would have been feared to go to sea
with them. Well. now. tell you. I'm
not n boasting man, and you seen
yourself how easy keep company; for
when l was qunrtermaster, lambn
wasn't the word for Flint's old buc-
cancers. An, you may be sure of your
self in old Johns ship"
well, tell you now" replied the
lad. II didn't half quarter like the job
till had this talk with you, John; but
there's my hand on it now"
"And q brave lad you were, and
smart, too" answered Silver. shaking
hands so heartily that all the barrel
shook, land finer fgurc-heud for q
gentleman of fortune never clnpped
my eyes on"
BY this time had begun to under-
stand the meaning of their terms. by
O gentleman Of fortune" they plainly
meant neither more nor less than u
common pirate, and the little scene
that l had overheard was the last act
i'll the corruption Of one of the honest
hands-perhaps of the last one left
aboard. But on this point l was soon
to be relieved, for Silver giving Il little
whistle, third man strollcd up, and
sat down by the party.
'Dick's square," said Silver.
ooh, l knowcd Dick was square,"
returned the voice of the cockswain,
Israel Hands. Hes no fool, is Dick"
And he turned his qud and spat. "But,
look here" he went on, there's what
want to know, Barbecue-how long are
we a-going to stand OFF and on like
blessed bum-boat? I've had almost
enough O. Cap'n Smollett; he's hnzcd
me long enough. by thunder! l want
to 60 into that cabin, do. want their
pickles and wines. and that"
Israel" said Silver, your head amt
much account, nor ever was. But
you're able to hear, l reckon; least
ways, your ears is big enough. Now.
here's what l say-you'll berth for
ward, 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 SON."
'Wcll, don't say no, do IL" growlcd
the cockswnin. What l shy is, when?
That's what l say
"When! by the pbwcrs!" cried Silver
swell, now, il you want to know, I'll
tell you when. The last moment can
manage; and that's when. Here's
first rate seaman, lChp'n Smollett, sails
the blessed ship for us. Here's this
squire and .loctorSNth n map and such
Il don't know whcre'it is, Go |? No
more do you, says you. Well, then,
mean this squire and doctor shall find
the stuff. and helrus 10 get it aboard,
by the powers. Ehcn Well see. If
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 seamcn aboard here.
I should think" said the lad Dick.
"We're all fok's'le hands. you mean,"
snapped Silver. 1--WE can steer course,
lint who's IN cot npac 'Ibnf'u ,rhat al