Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-06-30

the cabin and then make some pretense
to send for me. l have terrible news"
The doctor changed countenance a
little. but next moment be was master
of himself.
Thank you, JIM" said he, quite
loudly, that was all L wanted to
know" as if he had asked me ques-
ton.
And with that he turned on his heel
and rejoined the other two. They
spoke together for little, and though
none of them started, or raised his
voice, or so much as whistled, it was
plain enough that DR.. Livesey had COM
municated my request; for the next
thing that heard was the captain Civ
ing an order to Job Anderson, and all
hands were piped on deck.
MY lads" said Capt. Smollett, I've
word to say to you. This land that
we have sighted is the place we have
been sailing to. Mr.. Trelawney, being
a very open-handed gentleman, as we
all know, has just asked me word Or
two, and as / was able to tell him that
every man on board had done his duty,
allow and aloft, as / never ask to see it
done better. why. he and l and the
doctor are going below to the cabin to
drink your health and luck, and you'll
have grog served out for you to drink
our health and luck. I'll tell you what
1 think of this: 1 think it handsome.
And if you think as l do you'll give
good sea cheer for the gentleman that
does it's
The cheer followed-that was mat
ter of course; but it rang out so full
and hearty that / confess l could hard
ly believe these same men were plot
ting for our blood.
Zone more cheer for Cap'n Smollett,"
cried Long John, when the first had
subsidized.
And this also was given with will.
On the top of that the three gentle
men went below, and not long after
word was sent forward that Jim
Hawkins was wanted in the cabin.
I found them all three seated round
the table. a bottle of Spanish wine and
some raisins before them. and the doc
tor smoking away. with his wig on his
lap, and that, knew. was sign that he
was agitated. The stern window was
open, for it was a warm night, and you
could see the moon shining behind on
the ships wake.
"Now. Hawkins" said the squire,
you have something to say. Speak
up"
did as l was bid, and, as short as
I could make it. told the whole details
of Silver's conversation. Nobody in
| terrupted me till it was done, nor did
any one of the three make so much as
| a movement. but they kept their eyes
upon my face from first to last.
jim" said DR.. Livesey, take a
seat
And they made me sit down at table
beside them. poured me out glass of
wine. filled my hands with raisins,
and all three, one afer the other, and
each with n bow, drank my good health.
and their service to me, for my luck and
courage.
Now. captain" said the squire, ''you
were right and / was wrong. I own
myself an ass. and ! await your or
| ders."
"No more an ass than 1, SIR re-
| turned the captain. Il never heard of
crew that meant to mutiny but what
showed signs before, for any man that
had an eye in his head to see the mis-
chief and take steps accordingly. But
this crew." he added, ''beats me-"
Captain" said the doctor. with
your permission, that's Silver. a very
remarkable man."
He'd look remarkably well from a
| yard-arm, SIR" returned the captain.
But this is talk; this don't lead to any
thing. I see three or four points, and
with Mr.. Trelawney's permission I'll
name them"
You, sir, are the captain. It is for
you to speak," said Mr.. Trelawney,
! grandly.
First point" began Mr.. Smollett.
| eve must go on, because we can't turn
back. If 1 give the word to turn about
they would rise at once. Second point.
we have time before us-at least until
this treasures found. Third point.
there are faithful hands. Now, sir. it's
| got to come to blows, sooner or later;
and what propose is to take time by
the forelock, as the saying is, and come
to blows some fine day when they least
expect it. We can count, 1 take it.
on your own home servants, Mr.. Ire
| lawney?"
LAS upon myself" declared the
squire.
| Three" reclloned the captain; "our-
selves make seven, counting Hawkins
| here. Now about the honest hands ?"
! Most likely Trelawney's own men,"
said the doctor; those he picked up for
| himself before he lit on Silver"
Nay" replied the squire. Hands
was one of mine"
II did think I could have trusted
Hands," added the captain.
And to think that they're all Eng
lishmen!" broke out the squire. Sir.
1 could find it in my heart to blow the
ship up"
well, gentlemen" said the captain.
1.-The best that 1 can say is not much.