Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-01

/ There was not a breath of air NOV
ing. nor sound but that of the surf
| booming half mile away along the
| beaches and against the rocks outside.
/ A peculiar stagnant smell hung over
the anchorage smell of sodden
leaves and rotten tree trunks. I OBJ
served the doctor shifting, and shifting,
like some one tasting bad egg.
81 don't know about treasure" he
said, "but I'll stake my wig there's
fever here"
If the conduct of the men had been
alarming in the boat, it became truly
threatening when they had come
aboard. They lay about the deck
growing together in talk. The slight
est order was received with black
look, and grudgingly and carelessly
obeyed. Even the honest hands must
have caught the infection, for there was
not one man aboard to mend another.
Mutiny, it was plain, hung over US like
thunder-cloud-
And it was not only we of the cabin
party who perceived the danger. Long
John was hard at work going from
group to group, spending himself in
good advice, and as for example no man
could have shown better. He fairly
outstripped himself in willingness and
civility; he was all smiles to every one.
If an order were given, John would be
on his crutch in an instant, with the
cheeriest SAY, ay, sir!" in the world;
and when there was nothing else to
do, he kept up one song after another,
as if to conceal the discomfort of the
rest.
OF all the gloomy features of that
gloomy afternoon, this obvious anxiety
on the part of Long John appeared the
worst.
We held II council in the cabin.
Sir" said the captain, 'if l risk an
other order. the whole ship'll come
about our ears by the run. You see,
sir, here it is. get a rough answer,
do 1 not? Well, if l speak back, pixies
will be going in two shakes; if don't,
Silver will see there's something I'M
der that, and the games up. Now, We've
only one man to rely on"
"And who is that" askedthe squire.
"Silvcr, SIR" returned the captain;
"he's as anxious as you and to smother
things up. This is Il tiff; he'd soon talk
'em out of it if he had the chance and
what | propose 10 do is to give him the
chance. Let's allow the men an after
noon ashore. If they all go, why, We'll
fight the ship. If they none of them
go, well, then, we hold the cabin, and
God defend the right. Ii some go, you
mark my words, sir, Silver'll bring 'em
aboard again as mild as lambs
1t was so decided; loaded pistols
were served out to all the sure men;
Hunter, Joyce and Redruth were taken
into our confidence, and received the
news with less surprise aad better
spirit than we had looked for, and then
the captain went on deck and addressed
the crew.
"My lads" said he, we've had hot
day, and are all tired and out of sorts.
A turn ashore'll hurt nobody-the
boats are still in the water; you can
take the gigs, and as many as please
can go ashore for the afternoon. I'll
fire a gun half an hour before sun
down."
believe the silly fellows must have
thought they would break their shins
over the treasure as soon as they were
landed; for they all came out of their
sulks in a moment, and gave a cheer
that started the echo in a far-way hill,
and sent the birds once more flying and
squalling round the anchorage.
The captain was too bright to be in
the way. He whipped out of sight in a
moment, leaving Silver to arrange the
party; and I fancy it was as well he did
30. had he been on deck, he could nc
} longer so much as have pretended mol
to understand the situation. 1t was as
plain as day. Silver was the captain
, and mighty rebellious crew he had Of
I it. The honest hands--and l was soon
, to see it proved that there were such
, on board-must have been very stupid
, fellows. Or, rather, suppose the truth
| was this: that all hands were disaffect
= ed by the example of the ringleaders-
a only some more, some less; and few
being good fellows in the main, could
neither be led nor driven any further
1t is one thing to be idle and skulk, ant
4 4aitC " tdhS
a der number of innocent men,
AT last, however, the party was made
9 up. Six fellows were to stay on board
and the remaining 10, including Silver
began toembark.
Then it was that there came into m,
head the first of the mad notions tina
contributed so much to save our lives
If six men were left by Silver, it wa
plain our party could not take and fgh
the ship; and since only six We're left
: it was equally plain that the cabin par
ty had no present need of my assist
ance. 1t occurred to me at once to e
;. ashore. In a jify had slipped over tn
side, and curled up in the fore-sheet
of the nearest boat, and almost at tn
same moment she showed off.
No one took notice of me, only tn
: bow oar saying: as that you, Jim
Keep your head down." But Silve,
: from the other boat, looked sharpl
E ,.s.::AE7 - y- So
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