Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-09-22
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TREASURE HUNT =
POINTER

THE TREASURE HUNT - FLINT"S
POINTER.
"Jim,'' said Silver, when we were
alone, eff I saved your life, you saved
mine; and I'll not forget it. I seen the
doctor waving you to run for it-with
the tail of my eye, did; and seen you
say no, as plain as hearing. Jim, that's
one to you. This is the first CLINT of
hope had since the attack failed. and
owe it you. And now, Jim, we're
to go in for this here treasure-huntlng,
with sealed orders, too, and don't like
it; and you and me must stick close.
back to back like, and We'll save our
necks in spite O. fate and fortune"
Just then a man hailed us from the
fire that breakfast was ready, and we
were soon seated here and there about
the sand over biscuit and fried junk.
They had lighted a fire fit to roast an
OK: and it was now grown so hot that
they could only approach it from the
windward, and even there not without
precaution. In the same wasteful spir-
it, they had cooked, I suppose, three
times more than we could eat; and one
of them, with an empty laugh, threw
what was left into the fire, which blazed
and roared again over this unusual fuel.
I never in my life saw men so careless
of the morrow; hand to mouth is the
only word that can describe their way
of doing; and what with wasted food
and sleeping sentries, though they were
bold enough for a brush and be done
with it, I could see their entire unfitness
for anything like a prolonged cam
paign-
Even Silver, eating away, with Capt.
Flint upon his shoulder, had not word
of blame for their recklessness. And
this the more surprised me, for
thought he had never shown himself
so cunning as he did then.
SAY, mates" said he, "it's lucky you
have Barbecue to think for you with
this here head. got what I wanted, I
did. Sure enough, they have the ship.
Where they have it, don't know yet;
but once we hit the treasure, we'll have
to jump about and find out. And then,
mates, us that has the boats, reckon,
has the upper hand"
Thus he kept running ON, with his
mouth full of the hot bacon; thus he
restored their hope and confidence, and,
I more than suspect, repaired his own
at the same time
''that's his last talk, guess, with them
he loves so dear. I've got my piece O.
news, and thanky to him for that; but
it's oyer and done. I'll take him in
line when we 60 treasure-hunting, for
We'll keep him like so much gold. in
case of accidents, you mark, and in the
meantime, once we got the ship and
treasure both, and off to sea like jolly
companions, why, then We'll talk Mr..
Hawkins over, we will, and Wen give
him his share, to be sure, for all his
kindness"
It was no wonder the men were in a
good humor now. For my part, I was
horribly cast down. Should the scheme
he had now sketchedprovef feasible, Sill
yer, already doubly a traitor, would not
hesitate to adopt it. He had still foot
in either camp, and there was no doubt
he would prefer wealth and freedom
with the pirates to bare escape from
hanging, which was the best he had to
hope on our side.
Nay, and even if things 50 fell out
that he was forced to keep his faith
with DR.. Livesey, even then what dan
ger lay before US! What moment thai
would be when the suspicious of his fol
lowers turned to certainty, and he and
I should have to fight for dear life
| he, a cripple, and I, a boy-against five
! strong and active seamen!
Add to this double apprehension, the
| mystery that still hung over the be-
| havior of my friends; their unexplained
| desertion of the stockade; their mex
| plicable cession of the chart; or, harder
still to understand, the doctors last
warning to Silver: Look out fol
squalls when you find it," and you will
readily believe how little taste found
| in my breakfast, and with how uneasy
heart I set forth behind my captors
ON the quest for treasure.
We made a curious figure ha6
| anyone been there to see us; all in
soi,ed sailor clothes, and all but me
armed to the teeth. Silver had TIVE
guns slung about him, one before and
one behind-besides the great cutlas:
at his waist, and pistol in each peck
| ct of his square-tailed coat. To complete
his strange appearance, Capt Flint sa
| perched upon his shoulder and gabble6
odds and ends of purposeless sea-talk
( had a line about my waist, and fol
lowed obediently after the sea-cook
| who held the loose end Of the rope, nov
| in his free hand, now between his pow
erful teeth. For all the world was let
like dancing bear.
The other men were variously bur
dened. some carrying picks and SHOW
els-for that had been the very frs
necessary they brought ashore from
the Hispaniola"-others laden will
pork, bread and brandy for the midday
meal. All the stores. observed, cam,
from our stock; and could see tn,
truth of Silver's words the night before
| Had he not frr1clc a isarcr,ir, xx-ifl, fh.