The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-05-28
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PART III.
CHAPTER XII.
COUNCIL OF WAR.

COUNCIL OF WAR.
There was a great rush of feet across
the deck. could hear people tumbling
up from the cabin and the fok'sle; and,
slipping in an instant outside my bar
rel, 1 Owed behind the foresail, made
= double toward the stern, and came
out upon the open deck in time TO join
Hunter and DR.. Livesey in the rush for
the weather bow.
There all hands were already con-
gregated. A belt of fog had lifted al
most simultaneously with the APP
pearance OF the moon. Away to the
southwest OF us we saw two low hills,
about a couple of miles apart, and
rising behind one of them third
and higher hill, whose peak was still
buried In the fog. All three seemed
sharp and conical In figure.
So much / saw almost in n dream,
for had not yet recovered from my
horrid fear of a minute or two be-
fore. And then i heard the voice OF
Capt. 6mollett issuing orders. The
"Hispaniola" was laid couple OF
points nearer the wind, and now sailed
n course that would just clear the is
land ON the east.
"And now, men," said the captain,
when all was sheeted home, has any
one OF you ever seen that land aheadY
81 have, sir" said Silver. I've wa
tered there with q trader was cook
in"
"The anchorage is on the south, be-
hind an islet, i fancy?" asked the cap
tain.
Eyes, sir; Skeleton island they call
it. 1t were a main place for pirates
once, and n hand we had on board
knowed all their names for IL. The bill
to the nor'ard they calls the Foremost
hill; there are three hills in a row rum
ming south'ard-fore, main and miz-
zen, sir. But the main--that's the big
'un, with the cloud on it--they usually
calls the Spy-glass, by reason of a look
out they kept when they was in the
anchorage cleaning; for it's there they
cleaned their ships, sir. asking your
pardon"
81 have a chart here" says Capt.
Smollett. "Sec IL that's the place"
l<Onk OOnn - t1to Oh'h|h AZ Ills lNah
as he took the chart; but. by the fresh
look of the paper, knew he was
doomed to disappointment. This was
not the map we found in Billy Bones
chest, but an accurate copy, complete
in oil things-names, aud heights, and
soundings-with the single exception
of the red crosses and the written notes.
Sharp as must have toeen his annoy
ance, Silver had the strength of mind
TO hide IL.
Eyes, sir" said he, "this is the spot,
20 be sure; and very prettily drawed
out. Who might have done that. ]
wonder? The pirates were too igno-
rant, / reckon. Ay, here IL is: Capt.
Kidd's anchorage'-just the name my
shipmate called IT, There's strong
current runs along the south, and then
away nor'ard up the west coast. Right
YOU was, sir" says he. Ito haul your
wind and keep the weather of the
island. Leastways, IL such was your
intention as to enter and careen. aud
there amt no better place for that In
these waters"
Thank you, my man," says Capt.
smollett. "Tll ask you. later on. 20
give us a help. You may 60"
1 was surprised at the GOODNESS with
which John avowed his knowledge OF
the island; and own was half fright
ened when / saw him drawing nearer
20 myself. lie did not know. TO be sure,
that l had overheard his council from
the apple barrel, and yet had, by this
time. taken such horror Of his cruelty.
duplicity and power, that i could
scarce conceal shudder when he laid
his hand upon my arm.
"Ah," says he. "this here is a sweet
spot, this island--a sweet spot for n lad
TO pct ashore on. You'll battle, aud
you'll climb trees, and you'll hunt
goats. you will; and you'll get aloft
on them hills like goat yourself.
Why, IL makes me young again.
was going TO forget my timber leg,
was. It's n pleasant thing 10 be young
and have ten toes, and you may lay
20 that. When you want 10 60 bit
of exploring, you just ask old John, and
he'll put up a snack Cor you 20 take
along"
And clapping me in the friendliest
way upon the shoulder. he hobbled on
forward and went below.
Capt. Smollett, the squire and DR..
IAvesey were talking together on the
auarter-deck; and, anxious as was to
tell them my story. burst not inter
rupt them openly. While l was still
casting about in my thoughts TO find
sorne probable excuse. DR.. Livesey
called me to his side. He had left bis
pipe below, aud, being a slave TO tobao'
90. had meant that 1 should fetch III