Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-02-03
Silver, and set OF at brisk pace into
the wood.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TREASURE HUNT = FLINTes
POINTER

=
mine; and I'll not forget il. ! seen the
doctor waving you 10 run for it-with
the tail of my eye. did; and seen you
say no, as plain as hearing Jim, that's
one to you. This is the first CLINT OF
hope | bad since the attack failed. and
owe it you. And now, Jim. we're
to go in for this here treasure-hunting
with sealed orders. too. and | don't like
it; and you and me must stick close.
back to back like, and Wen save our
necks in spite o fate and fortune"
just then man hailed us from the
fire that breakfast was ready. and we
were soon seated here and there about
the sand over biscuit AID fried junk.
They had lighted fire fit TO roast an
OK; and it was now grown 50 hot that
they could only approach it from the
windward. and even there not without
precaution. In the same wasteful spir
it, they had cooked. ! suppose, three
times more than we could eat; and one
OF them with an empty laugh. threw
what was left into the fire. which blazed
and roared again over this unusual fuel
| never IN my life saw men so careless
OF the morrow; hand TO mouth is the
only WORD that can describe their way
Of doing; and what with wasted food
and sleeping sentries, though they were
bold enough for a brush and be done
with it. could see their entire nnftness
FOR anything Ike prolonged cam
paign.
Even Silver eating AWAY. with Capt
Flint upon his shoulder. had rot a word
Of blame for their recklessuess Md
this the more surprised me. for
thought he had never shown himself
80 cunning as be did then.
"Ay, mates said he. its lucky you
have Barbecue to think for you with
this here head got What | wanted,
did Sure enough. they have the ship.
Where they have it, | don't know yet;
out once we hit the treasure, wen have
70 jump about aud find out. And then,
mates, US that has the boats. reckon,
aas the upper hand"
Thus he kept running on. with his
mouth full Of the hot bacon; thus he
restored their hope and confidence. and.
more than suspect, repaired his own
At the same time
"As for hostage" he continued,
that's his last talk. guess, with them
he loves so dear. I've got my piece O.
news. and thanky to him for that; but
rs over and done. III take him in
line when we 90 treasure-hunting, for
ven keep him like so much gold, in
.ase OF accidents, you mark, and in the
meantime. once we got The ship and
reasure both. and off to sea Ike jolly
companions. why. then Wen talk Mr..
Hawkins over. we will. and Wei give
him his share. TO be sure. for all his
Kindness"
Il was 40 wonder the men were in a
rood humor now. For my part, was
horribly cast down. Should the scheme
he had now sketched prove feasible. Sill
YER. already doubly traitor. would not
hesitate to adopt il. He had still foot
IN either camp. and there was no doubt
he would prefer wealth and freedom
with the pirates 10 bare escape from
hanging. which was the best he had TO
nope on our side
Nay. and even If things so fell out
hat he was forced TO keep his faith
With DR.. Livesey. even then what dan
ger lay before us What a moment that
would be when The suspicious of his fol-
overs turned TO certainty, and he and
/ should have TO fighv for dear life
ne. a cripple. and |. boy--against five
.trong and active seamenl
Add to this double apprehension, the
mystery that sti,l hung over the be
navior OF my friends; their unexplained
lesertion Of the stockade; their mex
llicable cession of the chart; or. harder
.till to understand. the doctors last !
warning to Silver: Look out for |
squalls when you find it," and you will |
readily believe how little taste ! found !
nv breakfast. and with how uneasy |
4 heart set forth behind my captors
on the quest for treasure.
We made a curious figure had
anyone been there TO see US; all in |
soiled sailor clothes. and all but me
armed to the teeth. Silver had two |
guns slung about him. one before and |
one behind-besides the great cutlass
at his waist. and pistol in each peck
ct Of his square-tailed coat. To complete
his strange appearance, Capt Flint sal
perched upon his shoulder and gabbled |
odds and ends Of purposeless sea-talk.
| had line about my waist. and fol-
lowed obediently after the sea-cook.
who held the loose end of the rope. now
in his free hand. now between his pow
erful teeth. For all the world was led
like a dancing bear.
The other men were variously bur
dened. some carrying picks and SHOW
els-for that had been the very first
necessary they brought ashore from
the "Hispaniola"-oth laden with
pork. bread and brandy for the midday
meal All the stores. | observed. came
from our stock: and | could see the
truth of Silver's words the night before.
- L.