Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-09-15

want to know about number four, and
that boy, why, SILVER my timbersi isn't
he hostage? Are we going to waste
hostage? No, not us; he might
be our last chance. and I shouldn't
wonder. Kill that boy? Not me, mates!
And number three? All, well, there's
a deal to say to number three. Maybe
you don't count it nothing to have real
college doctor come to see you every
day-you, John, with your head broke
or you, George Merry, that had the
ague shakes upon you not six hours
agone, and has your eyes the color of
lemon peel to this same moment on the
clock? And maybe. perhaps, you didn't
know there was a consort coming,
either? But there is. and not SO long
till then; and we'll see who'll be glad to
have a hostage when it comes to that.
And as for number two, and why I
made a bargain-well, you came crawl
ing on your knees TO me to make it-on
your knees you came, you was that
Northumberland you'd have starved
too, if hadn't-but that's a trifle! you
look there-that's why!"
And he cast down upon the floor a
paper that instantly recognized-none
other than the chart on yellow paper.
with three red crosses, that 1 had found
in the oilcloth at the bottom of the cap
tain's chest. Why the doctor had given
it to him was more than could fancy.
But if it were inexplicable to me the
appearance of the chart was incredible
to the surviving mutineers. They
leaped upon it like cats upon mouse.
It went from hand to hand, one tear
ing it from another; and by the oaths
and the cries and the childish laughter
with which they accompanied their eX-
animation, you would have thought, not
only they were lingering the very gold,
but were at sea with it, besides. in
safety.
"Yes,'' said one, chats Flint, sure
enough. j. F., and a score below, with
Glove hitch to it. so he done ever"
Mighty pretty" said George. "But
how are we to get away with it, and US
20 ship?''
Silver suddenly sprung up, and sup
porting himself with hand against
the wall: "Now, I give you warning.
George" he cried. zone more word Of
your sauce, and I'll call you down and
fight you. How? Why, how do know (?
You had ought to tell me that-you
and the rest, that lose me my schooner.
with your interference, burn you!
But not you, you can't; you hainf got
the invention Of a cockroach. But civil
you can speak, and shall, George Merry,
you may lay to that
'"That's fair enow," said the old man
Morgan.
''Fair! reckon so,'' said the sea-cook.
'sYou lost the ship; found the treasure.
Who's the better man at that? And
now I resign, by thunder! Electwhom
you please to ibe your cap'n now; I'm
done with it,"
"Silver!" they cried. Barbecue for
ever! Barbecue for cap'n!"
$50 that's the toon, is it?'' cried the
cook. George, I reckon you'll have to
wait another turn, friend, and lucky for
you as I'm not revengeful man. But
that was never my way. And now,
shipmates, this black spot? Tain't
much good now, is it? Dicks crossed
his luck and spoiled his Bible, and that's
about aH''
It'll do to kiss the book on still, won't
it?" growled Dick, who was evidently
uneasy at the curse he had brought
| upon himself.
GA Bible with bit cut out!" returned
Silver, derisively. ''Not it. It don't
bind no more'n a ballad-book.'
Don't it, thought" cried Dick, with
sort of joy. "Well, reckon that's
worth having, too"
sHere, Jim-here's curiosity for
you," said Silver; and he tossed me the
paper.
| Tt was a round about the size of o
crown-piece. One side was blank, for
it had been the last leaf; the other con-
tanned a verse or two of Revelation
these words among the rest, which
struck sharply home upon my mind:
Without are dogs and murderers.'
The printed side had been blackened
with wood-ash. which already began to
come off and soil my fingers; on the
blank side had been written with the
same material the one word. "Deposed.'
I have that curiosity beside me at this
| moment; but not trace of writing now
remains beyond a single scratch. such
as a man might make with his thumb
nail.
That was the end of the nights bust
| ness. Soon after. drink all round,
| we lay down to sleep, and the outside
of Silver's vengeance was to put George
Merry up for sentinel. and threaten
him with death if he should prove un-
faithful.
It was long ere could close an eye.
and Heaven knows had matter enough
for thought in the man whom had
slain that afternoon. in my own most
perilous position, and, above all, in the
remarkable game that I saw Silver
now engaged upon-keeping the mutt
| neers together with one hand. and
grasping. with the other, after every
means. possible and impossible. to
make his peace and save his misera be
Life He hirrnSolf Sl,,,k 4