Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-04-26

only they were lingering the very gold,
but were at sea with it, besides, in
safety.
"Yes," said one, "that's Flint, sure
enough. j. F., and a score below, with a
Glove hitch to 1T, so he doneever."
mighty pretty" said George. "But
how are we to get away with it, and us
10 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 I 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 hain't got
you can speak, and shall, George Merry,
you may lay to that"
That's fair enow," said the old man
Morgan.
"Fair! Ireckon So" said the sea-cook.
"You lost the ship; found the treasure.
Who's the better man at that? And
now I resign, by thunder! Electwhom
you please to 1be your cap'n now; I'm
done with It,"
"Silver!" they cried. Barbecue for
everl Barbecue for cap'n!"
$50 that's the toon. is it?" cried the
cook. George, reckon you'll have to
wait another turn, friend. and lucky for
you as I'm not a revengeful man. out
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 ALL"
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.
"A Biblewith bit cut out!" returned
Silver, derisively. "Not it. 1t 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"
Here, JiIn-here's curiosity for
you" said Silver; and he tossed me the
paper.
It was a round about the size of q
crown-piece. One side was blank, for
it had been the last leaf; the other con-
tained 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."
have that curiosity beside me at this
moment; but not trace of writing now
remains beyond single scratch, such
as a man might make with his thumb
nail.
That was the end of the nights bust
ness. Soon after, with 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 I'M
faithful.
1t was long ere could close an eye,
and Heaven knows had matter enough
for thought in the man whom I had
slain that afternoon, in my own most
perilous position, and, above all, in the
remarkable game that 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 miserable
life. He himself slept peacefully, and
snored aloud; yet my heart was sore
for him, wicked as he was, to think on
the dark perils that environed, and the
shameful gibbet that awaited him.
(To be continued)