Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-01-20
CHAPTER XII.


| slipping in an instant outside my bar
1 rel. | dived behind tic foresaiI, made
/ a 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-
| gregated \ belt Of fog had lifted al
most simultaneously with the ap-
/ pearance of the moon. Away to the
| southwest of us we saw two low hills.
! about couple of miles apart, and
rising behind one of them a third
and higher hill, whose peak was still
buried in the fog. All three seemed
| sharp and conical in figure.
So much I saw almost in dream,
for I had not yet recovered from my
| horrid fear of minute or two be-
| fore. And then l heard the voice OF
| Capt. Smollett issuing orders. The
"Hispanlola" was laid couple OF
points nearer the wind, and now SAILED
course that would just clear the Is
land on the east.
"And now, men," said the captain
| when all was sheeted home, has any
one of you ever seen that land ahead|
Il have, sir" said Silver. I've wa
tered there with a trader ! was cook
| in"
"The anchorage is on the south, be
hind an islet, l fancy?" asked the cap
| tain.
"Yes, sir; Skeleton island they call
! il. 1t were a main place for pirates
once, and hand we had on board
| knowed all their names for it. The hill
to the nor'ard they calls the Foremast
| hill; there are three hills in a row run
| ming south'ard-fore, main and miz
zen, sir. But the main-thats the big
'un. with the cloud on it-they usually
calls the Spy-glass, by reason of look
out they kept when they WAS in the
anchorage cleaning; for it's there they
cleaned their ships, sir, asking your
| pardon"
II have a chart here" says Capt.
Smollett. "See if that's the place"
Long Johns eyes burned il his head
as he took the chart; but, by the fresh
look of the paper, | knew he was
doomed to disappointment. This was
not the map we found in Billy Bones
chest, but an accurate copy, complete
in all things-namcs, and heights, ana
soundings-with the single exception
of the red crosses and the written notes
Sharp as must have ioeen his annoy
ance, Silver had the strength of mind
! to hide 1t.
"Yes, SIR" said he, this is the spot
to be sure; and very prcttily draweo
out Who might have done that,
wonder? The pirates were too igno-
rant, / reckon. Ay, here il is: Capt
Kidds anchorage'-just the name my
shipmate called it. 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 youI
wind and keep the weather of the
island. Lcastways, If such was your
intention as to enter and careen, ano
there ain't no better place for that in
these waters"
THANK you, my man." says Capt
Smollett IN ask you, later on, tC
give us a help. You may go"
/ was surprised at the coolncss Will
which John avowed his knowledge ol
the island; and l own l was half fright
cned when / saw him drawing nearer
TO myself. He did not know, TO he sure
that 1 had overheard his council from
the apple barrel and yet had, by this
time, taken such horror Of his cruelty
duplicity and power, that coulC
scarce conceal shuddcr when he laic
his hand upon my arm.
"Ah," says he, this here is II swee
spot, this island-a sweet spot for lac
TO get ashore on. You'll battle, ant
you'll climb trees, aud you'll hun
goats, you will; and youll get alof
on them hills like "a goat yourself
Why, It makes me young again.
was going to forget my timber leg,
was. It's n pleasant thing to be young
and have ten toes, and you may lay
to that When you want to go bi
Of exploring, you just ask old John, anc
he'll put up snack for you 10 taxi
along"
And clapping me In the friendlies
way upon the shoulder, he hobbled of
forward and went below.
| Capt. Smollctt, the squire and DIR
Mvcscy were talking together on th'
quarterback; and, anxious as i was e
tell them my story, | burst not inter
rupt them openly. While l was still
casting about in my thoughts TO finC
some probable excuse, DR.. LIveac,
called me TO his side. lie had left hi
pipe below, and, being n slave TO tobac
co, had meant that / should fetch it
but aB soon as / was near enough e
apealS and not be overheard / broke on
Immediately: Doctor, let me speak
Get the captain and squire down e
the cabin and then make some prctcns'
to send for me. i have terrible news.
The doctor changed countenance ;
little, but next moment he was mastc
OF himself.
THANK you, jim" said he, quit
loudly, that was all / wanted t.
know" as If he had asked Inc a qucs
ton.
And with that he turned on his hcc
and reioincd the other two. The!
spoke together for "A little, and though
none of them started, or raised hi
voice, or 20 much as whiancd, ~ wa.
plain enough that DR.. Liycacy had com
municnted my request; for the mex
thing that heard WAS the captain civ
ing an order 10 job Anderson, and al
hands were piped on deck.
my lads" said Capt. SmolletL "Iy,
IA word to say to you. This land tha
we have sighted is tho place we hay'
been sailing to. Mr.. Trelawney, bcinf
IA very opcu-handed gentleman, as w
all know, has just asked me a word o
two, and as / was able to ten him tha
every man on board had done his duty
allow and nloft, aA / never ask To sec j
done better, why lac and / and th'
doctor are going below 20 the cabin e
drink your health and luck, aud you'll
have grog served out for you to drinl
our health and luck. I'll tell you wha
/ think Of this: / think it handsome
And If you think as ! do youN giy'
II good sea cheer for the gentleman tina
does It,"
The cheer followed thut was a mat
ter Of course; but IL rang out so ful
and hearty that confess ! could hard
ly believe these same men we're plot
ting for our blood.
zone more cheer for Cap'n Smollctt,
, cried Long John. when the hr.'