Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-07-14


was getting up, and mortal white he
| looked about the cut-water. But, there
he was, you mind. and the six all dead
dead and buried. How had he done
| it, not man aboard US could make out.
It was battle, murder and sudden death,
leastways-him against six. Billy
Bones was the mate; Long John, he was
quarterma ster; and they asked him
| where the treasure was. An says he,
you can go ashore, if you like, and
stay he says; but as for the ship, she'll
beat up for more, by thunder!' That's
what he said.
well. I was in another ship three
years back. and we sighted this island.
Boys said I, here's Flint's treasure;
let's land and find it. The captain was
displeased at that; but my messmates
were all of a mind and landed. Twelve
days they looked for it, and every day
they had the worse word for me, until
one fine morning all hands went
aboard. AS for you. Benjamin Gum,
says they. here's a musket.' they says,
and spade. and pick-ax. You can
stay here, and find F1int's money for
YOURSELF they says.
well. Jim, three years have I been
here. and not a bite of Christian diet
from that day to this. But now, you
look here; look at me. Do look like a
man before the mast? No, says you.
Nor I weren't. neither, says
And with that he winked and pinched
me hard.
Just you mention them words to
your squire, Jim"-he went on: 'sNor he
weren't. netherlands the words
Three years he were the man of this
island, light and dark, fair and rain;
and sometimes he would, maybe, think
upon prayer (says you). and some
times he would. maybe, think of his old
mother, so be as she's alive you'll say);
but the most part of Gums time (this
is what you'll say)-the most part of
his time was took up with another mat
ter. And then you'll give him nip. like
do"
And he pinched me again, in the most
confidential manner.
Then" he continued-'then you'll
up and you'll say this: Gum is good
man you'll say, and he puts precious
sight more confidence-a precious sight,
mind that-in gentleman born than in
these gentlemen of fortune. having
been one hisself.''
WELL" I said. ST don't understand
one word that you've been saying. But
that's neither here nor there; for how
am to get on board?"
"Ah," said he, 'fthat's the hitch for
sure. Well, there's my boat that J
made with my two hands. I keep her
under the white rock. If the worst
come to the worst, we might try that
a fl dorI< Eifo ha ho@ -
that?''
For just then. although the sun had
still an hour or two to run, all the echoes
of the island awoke and beloved to
the thunder of cannon.
"They have begun to fight!" cried.
Follow me-"
And I began to run toward the
anchorage, my terrors all forgotten; ;
while, close at my side. the marooned
man in his goatskins trotted easily and
lightly.
left. Left says he; keep to your
left hand, mate Jim! Under the trees
with you! There's where L killed my
first goat. They don't come down here
now; they're all mastheaded on them
mountings for the fear of Benjamin
Gum. All! and there's the cetemery''
cemetery ne must have meant.
you see the mounds? l come here
and pray. nows and thens, when 1
thought maybe a Sunday would be
about doc. It weren't quite a chapel,
but it seemed more solemn like; and
then, says you, Ben Gum was short
handed-no chapling, nor so much as a
Bible and flag, you says
Sc he kept talking as ran. neither
expecting nor receiving any answer.
The cannon-shot was followed, after
considerable interval. by volley Of
small arms.
Another pause, and then, not a
quarter of a mile in front of me, be-
held the Union Jack f1utter in the air
above a wood.