Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-27

NNN--s
Ill gentlemen of fortune, by your ac-
count. Well, I'm ready. Take cut
lass him that dares, and I'll see the
color Of his inside, crutch and all, be-
fore that pipes empty"
Not a man stirred; not man an
swered.
That's your sort. is it?' he added.
returning his pipe TO his mouth. Well.
you're a gay lot to look at, anyway.
Not much worth to fight. you amt.
P'r'aps you can understand King
Georges English. I'm cap'n here by
lection. I'm cap'n here because I'm
the best man by long sea-mile. You
won't fight, as gentlemen o fortune
should; then, by thunder, you'll obey.
and you may lay TO it! like that boy,
now: and never seen better boy than
that. He's more OF man than any
pair of rats of you in this here house.
and what say is this: Let me see him
ns'll lay hand on him-that's what !
say. and you may lay TO it"
There was a long pause after this.
stood straight up against the wall.
my heart still going like sledge-ham-
mer. out with a ray of hope now shin
ing in my bosom. Silver leaned back
against the wall, his arms crossed. his
pipe in the corner of his mouth. as calm
as though be had been in church; yet his
eye kept wandering furtively, and he
Kept the tail OF il on his unruly fol
lowers. They on their part drew grad
ually together toward the far end OF the
hlock-house, and the low hiss of theiT
whispering sounded in my ears eontin-
uously, like a stream. One after an
other they would look up, the red
light of the torch would fall for a sec
ond on their nervous faces; but it was
not toward me. it was toward Silver
they turned theis eyes.
you seem TO have lot TO say" re-
marked Silver. splitting far into the
air. Pipe up aud let me hear it. or
lay to-"
LAX your pardon, sir" said one Of
the men. you're pretty free with some
of the rates; maybe you'll kindly keep
an eye upon the rest. This crews dis
satisfied: this crew don't vally bully.
ing marlinspike; this crew has its
rights like other crews. I'll make so fres
as thar; and by your own rules. taxi
Il we can talk together. ! aX your
pardon. sir. acknowledging you for TO
be capiing at this present; but | claim
any right. and steps outside fer coun
ell"
And with IN elaborate sea-salute. this
fellow. long. Unlocking. yellow-eyed
man OF five-and-thirty. stepped coolly
toward the door and disappeared out
Of the house One after another the
rest followed his example; each max
sne a salute as he passed: each adding
some apology. According to the rules.
aid one. ~Fo'k'sIe council" said Nor
gan. And so. with one remark or an.
other. all marched out. and left Silver
and me alone with the torch.
The sea-cook instantly removed his
pipe.
Now. look here. Jim Hawkins" b.
said. 10 a steady whisper. that was NJ
more than audible. you're within hall
plank of death. and what's a long
sight worse. of torture. They're going
TO throw me of. But you mark,
stand by you through thick and thin
I didn't mean to; no. not till you spok'
up. was about desperate to lose tha'
much blunt. and be hanged into tn,
bargain. But see you was the right
sort. says TO myself: You stand b.
Hawkins. John. and Eawkins'n stand
bv you. You're his last card. and By
the living thunder. John. he's yours
Rack to back. says D. You save your
witness. and he'll save your neck
4 brqan dir.i- to understand.