Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-20

little darkened-as it were the embers
of bonfire smoldering
For the life of me l could not think
what it might be.
At last / came right down upon the
borders of the clearing. The western
end was ALREADY stepped in moonshine;
the rest, and the block-house itself. still
lay in a black shadow, checkered with
long silvery streaks of light. On the 9th
er side of the house an immense fire had
burned itself into clear embers, and
shed a steady, red reverberation, con-
trasted strongly with the mellow pale
ness Of the moon. There was not a
soul stirring, nor sound beside the
noises of the breeze.
l stopped. with much wonder in my
heart, and perhaps a little terror also.
1t had not been ouT way to build great
fires; we were, indeed. by the cap
tain's orders, somewhat niggardly of
frewood; and l began TO fear that
something had gone wrong while L
was absent.
/ stole round by the eastern end,
keeping close in shadow, and at a con-
yenient place where the darkness was
thickest, crossed the palisade
To make assurance surer. goi upon
my hands and knees. and crawled. with
out a word, toward the corner Of the
house. AS I drew nearer, my heart
was suddenly and greatly lighteued.
1t was not a pleasant noise in itself,
and / had often complained Of il at
other times, but just then it was like
music to hear my friends snoring to-
gether so loud and peaceful in their
sleep. The sea-cry of the watch. that
beautiful "All's we'll" never fell more
reassuringly on my ear.
In the meantime. there was no doubt
Of one thing; they kept an infamous
bad watch. II ii had been Silver and his
lads THAT were now creeping in on them,
not a soul would have seen daybreak.
That was what it was. thought l, to
have the captain wounded; and again
l blamed myself sharply for leaving
them in that danger with so few to
mount guard.
BY this time l had got TO the door and
stood up. All was dark within. so that
/ could distinguish nothing by the eye.
As for sounds. there was the steady
drone of the suorers. and a small occa-
sional noise. a Pickering or pecking that
/ could in no way account for.
With my arms before me l walked
steadily in. l should lie down in my
own place q thought, with a silent
chuckle) and enjoy their faces when
they found me in the morning. My
foot struck something yielding-it was
a sleeper's leg; and he turned and
groaned. but without awaking.
And then. all of a sudden, a shrill
voice broke forth out Of the darkness:
pieces Of eight! pieces of eight
pieces of eight pieces Of eight pieces
of eight" and so forth. without pause
or change like the clacdng of a tiny
mill.
Silver's green parrot, Capt. Flint! 1t
was She whom had heard pecking alta
piece Of bark; it was she. keeping bet
ter watch than any human being. who
thus announced my arrival with. her
refrain.
/ had no time left me to recover. At
the sharp. clipping tone of the parrot,
the sIeepers awoke and sprung up; and
with a mighty oath. the voice of Silver
cried:
''Who goes?"
I turned 10 run. struck violently
against one person. recoiled, and ran
full into the arms of a second, who, for
his part. closed upon and held me tight.
Bring torch. Dick" said Silver,
when my capture was thus assured.
And one of the men left the Lighthouse,
and presently returned with lighted
brand.
fro BE CONTINUED