Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-08-25

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 a man aboard us could make out.
1t was battle, murder and sudden death,
leastways-him against six. Billy
Bones was the mate; Long John, he was
quartermaster; and they asked him
where the treasure was. 'Ah,' 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, 1 was in another ship three
years back. and we sighted this island.
Boys said /, here's Flint's treasure;
let's land and find it, The captain was
displeased at that; but my messmates
were all of 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 a spade, and pick-aX. You can
stay here, and find Flint'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 / weren't. neither. l says"
And with that he winked and pinched
me hard.
"Just YOU mention them words to
your squire, Jim"-he went on: Nor 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 a 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: Gunn is a good
man (you'll say), and he puts precious
sight more contidence-apr precious sight
mind that--in a gentleman born than in
these gentlemen of fortune, having
been one hisself."
We'll" | said, "I 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, "that's the hitch foI
sure. Well, there's my boat that
made with my two hands. | keep hel
under the white rock. If the wors
come to the worst. we might try tha'
after dark. Hi" he broke out. what.
thut?"
For just then, although the sun hac
still an hour or two to run, all the echoe.
of the island awoke and beloved tc
the thunder of a cannon.
"They have begun to fight!" cried
"Folow me-"
And | began to run toward tn,
anchorage, my terrors all forgotten
while, close at my side, the marooneC
man in his goatsllins trotted easily anC
lightly.
Left, left" says he; keep to you
left hand, mate Jim! Under the tree!
with you! There's where l killed my
first goat. They don't come down her,
now; they're all mastheaded on then
mountings for the fear of Benjamin
GVnn. All! and there's the cetemery
cemetery he must have meant
You see the mounds? l come her
and pray, nows and thens, when
thought maybe Sunday would b.
about doc. 1t weren't quite a chapel
| but it seemed more solemn like; ant
| then, says you, Ben Gum was short
handed-no chapling, nor so much as
Bible and a flag, you says"
So he kept talking as l ran, neithe
expecting nor receiving any answer.
The cannon-shot was followed, afte
a considerable interval, by a volley o
| small arms.
| Another pause, and then, not
quarter of mile in front of me, I be
held the Union Jack flutter in the al
above a wood.