The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-15
CHAPTER xxx.

THE BLACK SPOT AGAIN.
The council of the buccaneers had
lasted some time, when one of them
reentered the house, and with repett-
ton of the same salute, which had in
my eyes an ironical air, begged for
moments loan Of the torch. Silver
briefly agreed; and this ernissary re-
tired again, leaving us together in the
dark.
"Therc's breeze coming, Jim." said
Silver, who had by this time adopted
quite friendly and familiar tone.
turned to the loop-hole nearest me
and looked out. The embers of tho
great fire had SO far burned themselves
out and now glowed so low and duslsy
that understood why these conspir-
ators desired torch. About half way
down the slope to the stockade they
were collected in group; one held the
light; another was on his knees in their
midst, and saw the blade Of an open
knife shine in his hand with varying
colors in the moon and torchlight. The
rest were all somewhat STOPPING, as
though watching the maneuvers of this
last. I could just make out that he
had book as well as knife in his
hand, and was still wondering how
anything SO homogeneous had come in
their possession, when the llneeling fig
lire rose once more to his feet and the
whole party began to move together to-
ward the house.
"Herc they come" said /, and I re-
turned to my former position, for it
seemed beneath my dignity that they
should find me watching them.
"Well, let 'em come, lad-let 'em
come" said Silver, cheerily. "I've still
q shot in my locker"
The door opened and the five men,
standing huddled together just inside,
pushed one of their number forward.
In any other circumstances it would
have been comical to see his slow adj
vances, hestating as he set down each
foot, but holding his closed right hand
in front of him.
"Stcp up, lad" cried Silver. II won't
eat you. Hand it over, lubber. know
the rules, I do; won't hurt depyta-
ton"
Thus encouraged the buccaneer
stepped forth more brislsly aud, having
passed something to Silver, from hand
to hand, Slipped yet more smartly back
again to his companions.
The sea cook looked twhat had been
given him.
"The black spoti thought So" he
observed. "Where might you have got
the paper? Why, hillo! look here, now;
this out of Bible. What FOOLS cut !,
Bible?"
"Ah, there" said Morgar-"there.
Wot did say? No good'll come O. that,
I said"
"Wcll, you've about fixed it now,
among you," continued Silver. you'll
all swing now, reckon. What soft.
headed lubber had a Bible?"
''It was Dick" said one.
"Diclz, was it? Then Dick can get to
prayers" said Silver. ''Hc's seen his
slice of luck, has Dick. and you may lay
to that"
But here the long man with the yell
low eyes struck in.
"Belay that talk, John Silver" he
said. ''This crew has tipped you the
black spot in full council, as in dooty
bound; just you turn it over, as in dooty
OOuHt, anu Scc WlluL 3 Wrote there.
Then you can talk"
"Thanlsy, George" replied the sea
cook. "You always was brisk for BUSH
ness. and has the rules by heart. George,
as Tn pleased to see. Well, what is it.
anyway? All! 'Deposed'-tha:'s it, is
IT'D Very pretty wrote, to be sure; like
print, l swear. Your hand O. write,
George9 Why, you was gettin' quite a
leadin' man in this here crew. You'll
be cap'n next, I shouldn' wonder. Just
oblige me With that torch again, will
you? This pipe don't draw"
"Come, now" said George, "you don't
fool this crew no more, You're a funny
man, by your account; but you're over
now, and you'll maybe step down of
that barrel and help vote"
II thought you said you knowcd the
rules" returned Silver, contemptrous-
~. "Lcas:ways, II you don't, do, and
4 wait herc-and I'm still your cup'a,
eind-till you outs with your grtes-
LII = ~ s.ss i