Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-12-16

and loops of tarry gaskin. About his
waist he wore an old brassIbuckled
leather belt, which was the one thing
solid in his whole accoutrement.
''Three years!" / cried. ''Were you
shipwrecked?"
NAY, mate" said he-"marooned-"
/ had heard the word, and l knew it
stood for horrible kind of punish
ment common enough among the buc-
cancers, in which the offender is put
ashore with a little powder and shot,
and left behind on some desolate and
distant island.
"Marooned three years agone," he
continued, "and lived on goats since
then, and berries, and oysters. Wher-
ever a man is, says /, man can do for
himself But, mate, my heart is sore
for Christian diet. You mightn't hap
pen to have piece of cheese about you,
now? No? Well, many's the long
night I've dreamed of cheese-toasted,
mostly-and woke up again, and here
! were"
'If ever can get aboard again" said
], "you shall have cheese by the stone"
All this time he had been feeling the
stun of my jacket. smoothing my hands,
looking at my boots, and generally, in
the intervals Of his speech. showing a
childish pleasure in the presence of a
fellow creature. But at my last words
he perked up into a kind Of startled sly
ness.
IF you ever get aboard again. says
you?" he repeated. why, now, who's
to hinder you?"
mot you, i know" was my reply.
"And right you was" he cried. "Now
you-what do you call yourself, mater"
Jim" told him.
Jim, Jim" says he, quite pleased, APP
parently. well, now. Jim, I've lived
that rough as you'd be ashamed to a
hear Of Now, for instance, you
wouldn't think had pious mother
to look at me?" he asked.
"Why, no, not in particular" / an
swered.
AZ, WE'LL" said he, but ! had-re-
markably pious. Aud ! was civil,
pious boy, and could rattle off my cate
chism that fast, as you couldn't tell
one word from another. And here's
what II come to, Jim. and it begun with
on the blessed grave
stones! That's what it begun with.
but it went further'n that; and so my
mother told me, and predicked the
whole. she did, the pious woman. But
II were Providence that put me here.
I've thought it all out in this here lone
~ island. and I'm back on piety. You
can't catch me tasting rum so much;
but lust thimbleful for luck. Of
course the first chance have. I'm
bound In Ge good, and see the way TO.
And, jim" looking all around him,
and lowering his voice To whisper
I'm rich"
| now felt sure that the poor fellow |
had gone crazy in his solitude, and
suppose must have shown the feeling |
in my face. for be repeated the
statement. hotly:
"Rich. rich! says And I'll tell |
YOU what; I'll make man Of you. jim.
All, jim, youn bless your stars. you
will, you was the first that found /
mel"
And at this there came suddenly a low
ering shadow over his face, and he
frightened his grasp upon my hand, and
raised foreinger threateningly be-
fore my eyes.
"Now. Jim. you tell me true; that
amt Flint's ship" he asked.
At this | had a happy inspiration.
began to believe that | had found an
ally, and answered him at once.
ITS not Flints ship, and Flint is
dead; but I'll tell you true, as you ask
me-there are some of Flints hands
aboard; worse luck for the rest Of
us"
"Not a man-with one-leg?" he
gasped.
"Silver?' l asked.
"Ah, Silver!" says he; that were his
name"
Hes the cook; and the ringleader,
too"
He was still holding me by the wrist,
and at that he gave it quiet wiring.
IF YOU was sent by Long john" he
said. I'm as good as pork, and know
{. But where was you, do you sup
poser
had made my mind up in moment,
md by way of answer told him the
whole story of our voyage, and the pre-
licament in which we found ourselves.
lie heard me with the keenest interest,
md when / had done he patted me on
he head.
You're a good lad, Jim" he said;
and you're all in Glove hitch. amt
.ou? Wen, you Just put your trust in
Ben Gum Ben Gums the man 70 DO
t. Would you think il likely, now,
hat your squire would prove liberal
minded one in case Of help-him being
n a Glove hitch. as you remark?
/ told him the squire was the most lib
raj of men.
"Ah. but YOU see. returned Ben
iunn, Il didn't mean giving me gate
O keep. and a suit of livery clothes
r,5 s,,ab. that's nj my mark. Jim. 4