Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-12-02
CHAPTER Mi.

CHAPTER MI.
COUNCIL. OF WAR.
There was a great rush OF feet across
The deck. could heay people tumbling
up from the cabin and the fok's'le and.
slipping in an instant outside my bar
rel. | dived behind the foresail. madc
double toward the stern, and came
out upon the open deck IN time to join
Hunter and DR.. Livesey in the rush for
The weather bow.
There all hands were already CON
Trcgated. \ belt Of fog had lifted al.
most simultaneously with the APP
pearance of the moon. Away 10 the
southwest of rs we saw two low hills,
about a couple OF miles apart. and
Using behind one of them third
and higher hill, whose peak was still
buried in the fog Al three seemed
sharp and conical in figure.
So much | saw almost in a dream,
'or | had not yet recovered from my
horrid fear 81 minute or two be-
fore And then | heard the voice 81
apt Smollett issuing orders TH1
'Hispanioa" was laid a couple 81
points nearer the wind, and now sailed
course that would just clear the is
and on the east.
and now, men," said the captain,
when all was sheeted home, has any
me Of you ever seen that land ahead :!
Il have. sir said Silver. I've wa
tered there with a trader ! was cook
II.
The anchorage is on the south. be-
lind an islet, fancy asked the cap
ain.
Yes. sir; Skeleton island they call
l. IL were main place for pirates
,nce. and a hand we had on board
lnowcd all their names for it. The hill
o the nor'ard they calls the Foremost
all: there are three hills in row run
iing south'ard-fore, main and miz-
zen. sir. But the main-that's the big
nm. with tie cloud on it-they usually
.alls the Spy glass. by reason of look
iut they kept when they was in the
anchorage cleaning; for it's there they
leaned their ships, sir, asking your
,ardon."
Il have a chart here says Capt.
smollett. See if that's the place"
Long Johns eyes burned in his head
is he took the chart; but, by the fresh
ook of the paper, l knew he was
doomed to disappointment. This was
rot the map we found in Billy Bones
hest. but an accurate copy, complete
n an things-names. and heights. and
,oundings-with the single exception
II The rcd crosses and the written notes.
,barp as must have oeen his annoy
,nce. Silver had the strength OF mind
10 hide it,
Yes. sir said he. "this is the spot.
% be sure; and very prettily drawed
out. Who might have done that.
wonder? The pirates were too igno-
rant. | reckon. Az. here it is: Capt.
Kidd's anchorage just the name my
shipmate called ii. There's a strong
current runs along the south. and then
away nor'ard up the west coast. Right
YOU was, sir, says he. Ito haul your
wind and keep the weather Of the
island. Leastways. if such was your
intention as 10 enter and careen. and
there amt no better place for that in
these waters.
Thank You. my man, says Capt
smoIlett. I'm ask you. later on. to
giye us a help. You may go.
| was surprised at the GOODNESS with
which John ayowed his knowledge of
ibe island: and own was half fright
med when / saw him drawing nearer
Ia myself. He did not know. to be sure.
That I had overheard his council from
The annie barrel. and yet had, by this
lime taken such horror OF his cruelty.
iuplicitv and power, that | could
scarce conceal a shudder when he laid
his hand upon my arm
"Ah.~ saws he, this here is "a sweet
spot. this island sweet spot Tor lad
10 get ashore on. You'll battle, and
rou'u climb trees. and you'll hunt
roats. ven will: aud youll get aloft
IN them hills like a goat yourself.
Wbv. IL makes me young again.
was going 10 forget my timber leg. ]
vas. It's a pleasant thing to be young
and have ten toes. and yOu may lay
10 that. When YOU want TO 20 a 81,
~ explorinr. Won just ask old John. and
hem put up a snack for You TO tske
along"
And clarping me in the frieudlieSl