Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-08-26
Az last I came right down upon tbs

AZ last 1 came right down upon the
borders of the clearing. The western
end was already stepped in moonshine;
the rest, and the block-house itself, still
lay in a black shadow, checkered with
long silvery streaks of light. On the 9TH
er side of the house an immense fire had
burned itself into clear embers, and
shed steady, red reverberation, con-
trasted strongly with the mellow pale
ness of the moon. There was not a
soul stirring, nor sound beside the
noises of the breeze.
stopped, with much wonder in my
heart, and perhaps little terror also.
1t had not been our way to build great
fires; we were, indeed, by the cap
tain's orders, somewhat niggardly Of
firewood; and I. began to fear that
something had gone wrong while 1
was absent.
I stole round by the eastern end,
keeping close in shadow, and at con-
venient place where the darkness was
thickest, crossed the palisade.
10 make assurance surer, got upon
my hands and knees, and crawled, with
out word, toward the corner Of the
house. AS I drew nearer, my heart
was suddenly and greatly lightened.
It was not a pleasant noise in itself,
and I had often complained of it at
other times, but just then it was like
music to hear my friends snoring to-
gether so loud and peaceful in their
sleep. The sea-cry of the watch, that
beautiful "All's WE'LL" never fell more
reassuringly on my ear.
In the meantime, there was no doubt
Of one thing; they kept an infamous
bad watch. If it had been Silver and his
lads that were now creeping in on them,
not a soul would have seen daybreal1.
That was what it was, thought I, to
have the captain wounded; and again
I blamed myself sharply for leaving
them in that danger with so few to
mount guard.
By this time had got to the door and
stood up. All was dark within, so that
I could distinguish nothing by the eye.
AS for sounds, there was the steady
drone of the snorers, and a small occa-
sional noise, Pickering or pecking that
could in no way account for.
With my arms before me I walked
steadily in. should lie down in my
own place Il thought, with silent
chuckle) and enjoy their faces when
they found me in the morning. My
foot struck something yielding was
a sleeper's leg; and he turned and
groaned, but without awaking.
And then, all of sudden, a shrill
voice broke forth out of the darkness:
"Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!
pieces of eight! pieces Of eighth pieces
of eight" and SO forth, without pause
or change, like the clacking of a tiny
mill.
Silver's green parrot, Capt. Flint! It
was She whom I had heard pecking at
piece of bark; it was she, keeping bet
ter watch than any human being, who
thus announced my arrival with her
wearisolne refrain.
1 had no time left me to recover. At
the sharp, clipping tone of the parrot,
the sleepers awoke and sprung up; and
with mighty oath, the voice of Silver
cried:
''Who goes?"
I turned to run, struck violently
against one person, recoiled, and ran
full into the arms of second, who, for
his part, closed upon and held me tight.
"Bring a torch, Dick" said Silver,
when my capture was thus assured.
And one of the men left the LIGHTHOUSE.
and presently returned with lighted
brand.
CTo BE Continued