Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-25
CHAPTER XII.

COUNCIL OF WAR.
There was great rush of feet across
the deck. l could hear people tumbling
up from the cabin and the fox sic; and
slipping in an instant outside my bar
rel, | dived behind the foresail, made
double toward the stern, and came
out upon the open deck in time to join
Hunter and Dir. Livesey in the rush for
the weather bow.
There all hands were already con-
gregated. A belt of fog had lifted all
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 third
and higher hill, whose peak was still
buried in the fog. All three seemed
sharp and conical in figure.
So much l saw almost in dream.
for 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
| "Hispaniola" 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,
one of you ever seen that land aheadw
II have, SIR" said Silver. i've wa
| tered there with a trader l was cook
in"
"The anchorage is on the south, be-
hind an islet, l fancy?" asked the cap
tain.
Eyes, sir; Skeleton island they call
| it. 1t were a main place for pirates
once, and a hapd we had on board
knowed all their names for it. The hill
| to the nor'ard they calls the Foremost
hill; there are three hills in row run
ming south'ard-fore, main and miz-
zen, sir. But the main-that's 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 chart here" says Capt
Smollett. See if that's the place."
Long Johns eyes burned in 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, and
/ soundings-with the single exception
| of the red crosses and the written notes
Sharp as must have lbeen his annoy,
ance, Silver had the strength OF mind
to hide it.
Eyes, sir" said he, this is the spot
to be sure; and very prettily drawec
out. Who might have done that,
wonder? The pirates were too igno
rant, reckon. Ay, here it is: Capt
Kidds anchorage'-just the name my
shipmate called it. There's strong
current runs along the south, and ther
away nor'ard up the west coast. RICH
you was, sir" says he, ito haul YOU
wind and keep the weather of tn.
island. Leastways, If such was you
intention as to enter and careen, ant
there amt no better place for that il
these waters"
THANK you, my man." says Capt
Smollett. "I'll ask you, later on, t.
give us help. You may CO."
I was surprised at the GOODNESS will
which John avowed his knowledge o
the island; and own was half fright
to myself. He did not know, to be sure
that had overheard his council iron
the apple barrel, and yet had, by thi
time, taken such horror of his cruelty
duplicity and power, that coul'
scarce conceal a shudder when he lai'
his hand upon my arm.
"Ah," says he, this here is swee
spot, this island-a sweet spot for La
to get ashore on. You'll battle, an,
you'll climb trees, and you'll hun
goats, you will; and you'll get alof
on them hills like goat yourseH
Why, it makes me young again.
was going to forget my timber leg,
was. It's pleasant thing to be youn
and have ten toes, and you may la,
to that. When you want to go bi
of exploring, you just ask old John, an
he'll put up snack for you to tax
along"
And clapping me in the friendlies
way upon the shoulder, he hobbled Of
forward and went below.
Capt. Smollett, the squire and d.
Livesey We're talking together on tn
quarterback; and, anxious as was t
tell them my story, l burst not inter
rupt them openly. While was sti
casting about in my thoughts to fin
some probable excuse, DR.. Livese
called me to his side. He had left hi
pipe below, and, being slave to tobas
90. had meant that I should fetch ii