Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-04-29

oliver was changed man, once he
was out there and had his back on his
friends and the block-house; his cheeks
seemed to have fallen in; his voice trem-
bled; never was soul more dead in
earnest.
"Why, John, you're not afraid?'
asked DR.. Livesey.
Doctor, I'm NO coward; no, not l.
not so much!" and he snapped his fin
gers. IF was wouldn't say it. But
I'll own UP fairly I've the shakes upon
me for the gallows. You're good
man and true; never see better
man! And you'll not forget what I
done good, not any more than you'll
forget the bad, know. And step
aside-see here-and leave you and Jim
alone. And you'll put that down for
me. too, for it's long stretch, is that!"
So saying, he stepped back little
way till he was out OF earshot, and
there sat upon tree-stump and be-
gan to whistle; spinning round now
and again upon his seat so as to COM
mand a sight sometimes of me and the
doctor, and sometimes of his unruly
ruftians as they went to and fro in the
sand, between the fire-which they
were busy reminding the house,
from which they brought forth pork
and bread to make the breakfast.
$50, jim" said the doctor, sadly, here
you are. AS you have brewed, so shall
you drink, my boy. Heaven knows. |
cannot find it in my heart to blame
you; but this much l will say, be it
kind or unkind; when Capt. Smollett
was well, you dared not have gone off;
and when he was i'll, and couldn't help
1T, by George, it was downright cow
ardly!"
l will own that here began to weep,
doctor" l said, you might spare me.
l have blamed myself enough; my life's
forfeited anyway, and should have been
dead now, if Silver hadn't stood for me;
and, doctor, believe this, can die--and
l dare say deserve it-but what fear
is torture. If they come to torture
me"
"Jim," the doctor interrupted, and
his voice was quite changed, Jim, l
can't have this. Whip over, and we'll
run for it."
Doctor" said l, II passed my word"
Il know, l know" he cried. 1--WE
can't help that. Jim, now. I'n take it
on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame
and shame, my boy; but stay here, 1
cannot help you. Jump! One jump,
and you're out, and We'll run for it like
antelopes."
NO." replied. you know right well
you wouldn't do the thing yourself;
neither you nor the squire, nor captain;
and no more will l. Silver trusted me; |
passed my word, and back go. But,
doctor, you did not let me finish. If
they come to torture me, might let slip
a word where the ship is; for got the
ship, part by luck and part by risking,
and she lies in North inlet, on the south
ern beach, and just below high water.
At half-tide she must be high and dry"
"The ship!" exclaimed the doctor.
Rapidly described to him my adven-
lures, and he heard me out in silence.
There is kind of fate in this" he
observed when l had DONE '"Eyery
step it's you that saves our lives; and
do you suppose by any chance we are
going to let you lose yours? That
would be poor return, my boy. You
found out the plot; you found Ben Gum
1.-The best deed that ever you did, or
will do, though you live to ninety. Oh,
by Jupiterl and talking of Ben Gum,
why, this is the mischief in person.
Silver!" he cried "Silverl I'll give YOU
a piece of advice" he continued, as the
cook drew near again; don't YOU be-
In any great hurry after that treas
ure"
"Why, sir, i do my possible, which
that amt" said Silver II can only,
asking your pardon, save my life and
the boys by seeking for that treasure,
and you may lay to that"
| 'Well. Silver" replied the doctor, ..if
that is so. I'll go one step further; look
out for squalls when you find it'll"
Sir" said Silver, 'as between man
and man. that's too much and too little.
What you're after, why you left the
block-house, why you give me that
there chart, don't know now, do /?
And yet I done your bidding with my
eyes shut, and never word of hope!
But no, this here's too much. If YOU
won't tell me what you mean plain out.
just say SO, and leave the helm"
NO" said the doctor, musingly, 1--WE
no right to say more; It's not my secret.
you see. Silver. or, give you my word,
I'd tell it you. But I'll go as far with
you as l dare go, and a step beyond, for
I'll have my wig sorted by the captain,
or Pm mistaken! And, first, I'll give
you bit of hope; Silver, if we both
get alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll do
my best to save you, short of perjury"
Silver's face was radiant. "You
couldn't say more, I'm sure, sir, not
If you was my mother" he cried.
"Well, that's my first concession"
added the doctor. my second is a piece
OF advice: Keep the boy close beside
YOU, and when you need help, halloo.
I'm off to seek it for you, and that itself
will show you if speak at random.
Good-by, jim"
And DR.. Livesey shook hands with
me through the stockade, nodded to
Silver, and set off at brisk pace into
the wood.
(To be continued)