Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-06


/ began to get another thought into my
head. which was not by any means 50
right. What began TO do WAS To envy
the doctor, waking in the COO sha dow
of the woods. with the birds about him
and the pleasant smell of the pines.
while l sat grilling. with my clothes
stuck to the hot resin. and so much
blood about me, and so many poor dead
bodies lying all around. that | took a
disgust of the place that was almost as
strong as fear.
All the time | was washing out the
block-house, and then washing up the
things from dinner, this disgust and
envy kept growing stronger and
stronger. till at last. being near bread
bag. and no one then observing me. !
took the first step towardmy eseapade.
and filed both pockets of my coat with
biscuits.
| | was fool. if you like. and certainly
| was going to do a foolish. OVERLOAD
act: but was determined to do il with
all the precautions in my power. These
biscuits. should anything befall me.
would keep me, Al least from starving
till far on in the next day.
The next thing I laid hold Of was
brace of pistols, and, as already had
powder-horn and bullets. | felt my
self wei supplied with arms.
As for the scheme had in my head. it
was not bad one initseH. 1t was to
go down the sandy spit that divides the
anchorage on the east from the open sea.
find the white rock had observed last
evening. and ascertain whether ii was
there or not thai Ben Gum had hidden
his boat; thing quite worth doing, as
| still believe. But as / was certain
should not be allowed to leave the in
closure. my only plan was TO take
French leave. and slip out when no
body was watching; and that was so
bad a way of doirg IL as made the thing
itself wrong. But was only boy, and
had made my mind up.
Well. as things at last fell out. found
IN admirable opportunity. The squire
and Gray were busy helping the captain
with his bandages; the coast was clear;
| made a bolt for it over the stocllade
and into the thickest Of the trees. and
before my absence was observed was
out of cry of companions.
This was my second folly, far worse
than the first. MS ! left but two sound
men to guard the hoHse: but. like the
first. it was a help toward saving all of
us.
| took my way straight for the east
coast of the island. for was determined
10 go down the sea side of the spit TO
avoid al chance of observation from
the anchorage. 1t was already late in
the afternoon. although still warm and
sunny As | continued to thread the
tall woods could hear from far before
me not only the continuous thunder
of the surf but a certain tossing of
foliage and grinding of boughs which
showed me the sea breeze had set in
higher than usual Soon cool draughts
of air began to reach me; and few
steps further came forth into the open
borders Of the grove and saw the sen
lying blue and sunny TO the horizon
and the surf tumblng and tossing its
foam along the beach.
have never seen the sea quiet round
Treasure island. The sun might blaze
overhead. the air be without a breath,
the surface smooth and blue. but still
these great rollers would be running
Along all the external coast, thunder
ing and laundering by day and night:
and scarce believe there is one spotin
the island where man would be out of
earshot of their noise.
| walked along beside the surf with
great enjoyment, till, thinking | was
now got far enough to the south, ]
took the cover of some thick bushes
and crept warily up to the ridge of the
spit.
Behind me was the sea, in front the |
anchorage. The sea breeze, as though |
it had the sooner blown itself out by |
its unusual violence. was already at an |
end; it had been succeeded by light |
airs from the south and south
east. carrying great banks of fog: and
the anchorage, under lee of Skeleton
island, lay still and leaden as when
first we entered it. The "Hispaniola"
in that unbroken mirror was exactly
portrayed from the truck to the water
line. the jolly Roger hanging from her
peak.
Alongside lay one of the gigs. Silver
in the stern sheets-him could always
a couple of men were
leaning over the stern bulwarks. one of
them with a red cap-the very rogue
[ had seen some hours before stride
legs upon the palisade. Apparently
they were talking and laughing. though
At that distance-upward of mile-l
could. of course, hear no word of what
was said. All at once there began the
most horrid. unearthly screaming.
which at first startled me badly. though
had soon remembered the voice Of
Capt. Flint, and even thought l could
make out the bird by her bright plum
lge as she sat perched upon her mas
er's wrist.
Soon after the jolly-boat showed off
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