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

looked about the cut-water. But, there
he was, you mind. and the six all dead
dead and buried. How had he done
It, not a man aboard US could make out.
II was battle. murder and sudden death.
leastways-him against six. Billy
Bones was the mate; Long John. he was
quarrernsster; ana they asked MN
where the treasure was. All says he.
you can go ashore, if you like. anC
stay be says; but as for the ship. she'l.
beat up for more, by thunderl' That's
what he said.
We'll, | was in another ship three
years back, and we sighted this island
Boys, said |, here's Flint's treasure
let's land and find it, The captain was
displeased at that; but my messmates
were all of a mind and landed Twelve
days they looked for it. and every day
they had the worse word for me. untii
one fine morning all hands went
aboard. AS for you. Benjamin Gum.
says they, here's a musket, they says.
and a spade, and pick-aX. You can
stay here, and find Flint's money for
YOURSELF they says.
well, Jim, three years have / been
here. and not a bite Of Christian diet
from that day 10 this. But now. you
look here; look at me. Do look like O
man before the mast? No. says you
Nor ! weren't, neither. ! says"
And with that be winked and pinched
me hard.
Just you mention them words TO
your squire, Jim"-he went on: "Nor he
weren't. ueither-that's the words
Three years be were the man of this
island. light and dark. fair and rain;
ard sometimes he would. maybe. think
upon a prayer (says you), and some
times he would. maybe, think Of his old
mother, so be as she's alive (youll say);
but the most part of Gums time (this
is what you'll say)-the most part Of
his time was took up with another mat.
ter. And then you'll give him a nip. like
| do"
And he pinched me again, in the mos,
confidential manner.
Then" he continued-"then you'll
up and you'll say this: Gum is a good
man tyoull say) and he puts'a precious
sight more confidence-ap precious sight
mind that-in gentleman born than in
these gentlemen of fortune. having
been one hisself."
well" l said. II don't understand
one word that you've been saying. But
that's neither here nor there; for how
am 10 get on board?"
"Ah," said be. that's the hitch for
sure. Wen. there's my boat that
made with my two hands. ! keep her
under the white rock. II the worst
come to the worst. we might try thai
after dark. Hi" be broke out, whats
that?"
For just then. although the sun mad
still an hour or two to run. all the echoes
OF the island awoke and beloved 10
the thunder Of cannon.
"They have begun to fight" cried
FOLLOW me"
And | began 70 run toward the
anchorage, my terrors all forgotten
while. close at my side, the marooned
man in his goatskins trotted easily and
lightly.
Left, left SAYS he; keep TO your
left hand. mate Jim! Under the trees
with you There's where 1 killed my
first goat. They don't come down here
now; they're all mastheaded on them
mountings for the fear Of benjamin
Gum. All! and there's the cetemery'
cemetery he must have meant
"Nou see the mounds? | come here
and pray. nows and thens, when
thought maybe Sunday would be
about doc II weren't quite chapel
but IL seemed more solemn like; and
then, says you, Ben Gum was short
chapliug, nor SO much as q
Bible and a flag. you says"
So he kept talking as | ran. neither
nor receiving any answer
The cannon-shot was followed. after
a considerable interval, by a volley OF
small arms.
Another pause, and then, not
quarter Of a mile in front of me. be
held the Union Jack fiutter in the air
above a wood.