Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-02-10
Troasuro Island.

been dispatched in front to do his best
alone. Then il had occurred 10 him te
work upon the superstitions of his for.
mer shipmatcs. and he was so far sue.
cessful that Gray and the doctor had
come up and were already ambushed
before the arrival of the treasure hunt
ers.
"Ah." said Silver, lit was fortunate
for me that / had Hawkins here. You
would have let old John be cut to bits
and never given it thought, DOCTOR"
''Not a thought, replied Dr. Livesey,
cheerily.
And by this time we had reached the
gigs. The doctor. with the pick AK, de-
molished one of them. and then we all
got aboard the other, and set out TO go
round by the sea for North Inlet.
This was a run of eight or nine miles.
Silver, though he was almost killed
already with fatigue, was set to an oar.
like the rest of us. and we were soon
Swimming swiftly over a smooth sea.
Soon we passed out of the straits and
doubled the southeast corner of the
island, round which, four days ago. we
had towed the "Hispaniola."
As we passed the two-pointed hill, we
could see the black mouth of Ben Gums
cave, and a figure standing by ii. lean
ing on musket. 1t was the squire; and
we waved handkerchief and gave him
three cheers, in which the voice of Sill
er Joined as heartily as any.
Three miles further. just inside the
mouth of North inlet. what should we
meet but the ''Hispaniola," cruising by
herself. The last flood had lifted her;
and had there been much wind, or a
strong tide current, as in the southern
anchorage. we should never have found
her more. or found her stranded beyond
help. As il was, there was little amiss.
beyond the wreck of the mainsaiI. An
other anchor was got ready. and
dropped in fathom anda half of water.
We all pulled round again to Rum cove,
the nearest point for Ben Gums treas
ore house; and then Gray, single-hand-
ed, returned with the gig to the Ills
PAMELA, where he was to pass the night
on guard.
A gentle slope ran up from the beach
to the entrance of the cave. At the top
the squire met us. To me he was cor
dial, saying nothing of my escapade.
either in the way of blame or praise. AT
Silver's polite salute he somewhat
flushed.
John Silver" he said, you're
prodigious villain and imposter-a mon
strous impostor, sir, | am told amnot
to prosecute you. Well. then. will not.
But the dead men, sir, hang about your
neck like millstones."
Thank you kindly, sir" replied
Long John, again saluting.
How dare you TO thank mel" cried
the squire. 1T is gross dereliction OF
my duty. Stand back!"
And thereupon we all entered the |
cave. 1t was large, airy place. with a
little spring and a pool of clear water.
oyerhung with ferns. The floor was
sand. Before big fire lay Capt. Smol- |
let; and in far corner, only duskily |
hickered over by the blaze. | beheld |
great heaps of coin and quadriaterals
built of bars of gold. That was Flint's |
treasure that we had come so far to |
seek, and that had cost already the lives
Of II men from the "Hispaniola." How
many it had cost in the amassing. what |
blood and sorrow, what good ships scut-
tied on the deep, what brave men walk
ing the plank blindfod, what shot of
what shame and lies and cruel
ty, perhaps no man alive could tell.
Yet there were still three upon that
and old Morgan. and
Ben Gunn-who had each taken his
share in these crimes. as each had hoped
n vain to share in the reward.
Come in, JIM" said the captain
You're good boy in your line, Jim;
,ut | don't think you and NELL go to
sea again. You're too much OF the
BORN favorite for me. Is that you, John
Silver? What brings you here. man."
Come back to do my dooty, sir" re.
urned Silver.
"Ah!" said the captains; and that was
Ill he said.
What supper had of il that night.
with all my friends around me; and
what meal it was. with Ben Gums
salted goat. and some delicacies and
bottle of old wine from the "Hispa-
niola." Never, am sure, were people
yayer or happier. And there was Silver,
sitting back almost out Of the freight.
but eating heartily, prompt to spring
forward when anything was wanted,
even joining quietly in our laughter
he same bland. polite, obsequious sea.
man of the voyage out.