Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-05-13

slowed aboard, but there was another
fortune waiting for the morrow; and
all this time we heard nothing of the
three surviving mutineers.
At last-I think it was on the third
night-the doctor and were strolling
on the shoulder of the hill where it
overlooks the lowlands of the isle,
when, from out the thick darkness be-
low, the wind brought us Noise be-
tween shrieking and singing. 1t was
only snatch that reached our ears,
followed by the former silence.
Heaven forgive them," said the doc
tor; otis the mutineers!"
GAIL drunk, sir" struck in the voice
of Silver from behind us.
Silver, should say, was allowed his
entire liberty, and, in spite of daily re-
Bluffs, seemed to regard himself once
more as quite privileged and friendly
dependent. Indeed, it was remarkable
how we'll he bore these Sights, and with
what unwearying politeness he kept
at trying to ingratiate himself with all.
Yet, think, none treated him better
than q dog; unless it was Ben Gum.
who was still terribly afraid of his old
quartermaster, or myself, who had real
| ly something to thank him for; al
though for that matter, suppose, 1
had reason to think even worse of him
than anybody else, for had seen him
meditating fresh treachery upon the
plateau. Accordingly, it was pretty
gruffly that the doctor answered him.
Drunk or raying!" said he.
fright you were, sir" replied Silver;
"and precious little odds which, to you
and me-"
81 suppose you would hardly ask me
to call you humane man." returned
the doctor, with a sheer, land so my
feelings may surprise you, Master Sill
yer. But if were sure they were raw
ing-as I am morally certain one, at
least, of them is down with fever-I
should leave this camp, and, at what
ever risk to my own carcass, take them
the assistance of my skill"
"AsS your pardon, sir, you would be
very wrong" quoth Silver. You would
lose your precious life, and you may
lay to that. I'm on your side now, hand
and glove; and l shouldn't wish for to
see the party weakened, let alone your
self, seeing as l know what owes you.
But these men down there, they
couldn't keep their word-no, not sup
posing they wished to; and what's more,
they couldn't believe as you could"
"No," said the doctor. You're the
man to keep your word, we know that. "
Well, that was about the last news we
had of the three pirates. Only once we
heard gunshot great way off, and
supposed them to be hunting. A coun'
Gil was held, and it was decided that we
must desert them on the island-to the
huge glee, must say, of Ben Gum
and with the strong approval of Gray
We left good stock of powder and
shot, the bulk of the salt goat, few
medicines and some other necessaries
tools, clothing. spare sail, fathom OF
two of rope, and, by the particular de.
sire of the doctor, handsome present
of tobacco.
That was about our last doing on the
island. Before that we had got the
treasure slowed, and had shipped
enough water and the remainder of the
goat meat, in case of any distress; and
at last, one fine morning, we weighed
anchor, which was about all that we
could manage, and stood out of Nortl
inlet, the same colors flying that the
captain had flown and fought under al
the palisade.
The three fellows must have beer
watching us closer than we thought for
as we soon had proved. For, coming
through the narrows, we had to lii
very near the southern point, ant
there we saw all three of them kneeline
} together on a spit of sand, with theil
arms raised in supplication. 1t wen
to all our hearts, 1 think, to leave then
i in that wretched state; but we coult
not risk another mutiny; and to TAXI
) them home for the gibbet would hav,
been a cruel sort of kindness. TIL
( doctor hailed them and told them o
! the stores we had left, and where the.
) were to find them, but they continue.
! to call us by name and appeal to us
, for Gods sake, to be merciful and no
leave them to die in such place.
AT last. seeing the ship still bore o,
her course, and was now swiftly draw
ing out of earshot, one of them-I know
, not which it was-leaped to his fee
5 with hoarse cry, whipped his muske
to his shoulder and sent shot whis
Ting over Silver's head and through TIL
mainSail.
After that we kept under cover o
the bulwarks, and when next / locke
out they disappeared from the SPIT
and the spit itself had almost melte
out of sight in the glowing distance
! That was, at least, the end of that; an
before noon, to my inexpressible Joy
the highest rock of Treasure Island ha
] sunk into the blue round of sea.
We were so short of men that every
: one on board had to bear hand-onl
e the captain lying on. a mattress in tn
a stern and giving his orders; for, thong
a greatly recovered, he was still in wan
0 of quiet. We laid her head for til
! nearest port in Spanish America, fo
s we could not risk the voyage HON
3 without fresh hands; and, as it wa
what with battling winds and coup
Y Of freSh rro1as y-ara al yx-o,-,, ~,