Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-09-22
PART VI.
CHAPTER XXX.-CoNT1NUED.

Silver was a 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.
'sWhy, John, you're not afraid? '
asked DR.. Livesey.
Doctor, I'm no coward; no, not /
not so much!" and he snapped his fin
gers. ''If I was 1 wouldn't say it But
I'll own up fairly I've the shakes upon
me for the gallows. You're a good
man and true; I never see better
man! And you'll not forget what !
done good, not any more than you'll
forget the bad, 1 know. And I 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 a 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
ruffians as they went to and fro in the
sand, between the fire-which they
were busy rekindIing-and 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 hoy. Heaven knows, ]
cannot find it in my heart to blame
you; but this much I will say, be ii
kind or unkind; when Capt. Smollett
was we'll, you dared not have gone off;
and when he was i'll, and couldn't help
it, by George, it was downright cow
ardly!"
I will own that here began to weep.
Doctor" 1 said, you might spare me.
I 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, L can die-and
I dare say deserve it-but what I fear
is torture. If they come to torture
me-
''Jim,'' the doctor interrupted, and
his voice was quite changed, Jim. !
can't have this. Whip over, and We'll
run for it,
Doctor said I, 81 passed my word. -
81 know, I know" he cried. 1--WE
can't help that, Jim, now. I'll take it
on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame
and shame, my boy; but stay here, /
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 1. Silver trusted me; ]
passed my word, and back go. But
doctor, you did not let me finish. II
they come to torture me, 1 might let slip
a word where the ship is; for l 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
1.-THE ship!" exclaimed the doctor.
Rapidly described to him my adven-
lures, and he heard me out in silence
There is,a kind of fate in this be
observed when 1 had done. Every
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 q poor return, my boy. Yor
found out the plot; you found BenGunI
the best deed that ever you did, Oh
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! ''Silver! I'll give yo,
piece of advice" he continued, as the
cook drew near again; don't you bt
in any great hurry after that treas
ure-"
''Why, sir, do my possible, which
that amt said Silver. Il can only
asking your pardon. save my life anC
the boys by seeking for that treasure
and you may lay to that
well, Silver" replied the doctor, al
that is so, I'll go one step further; lool
out for squalls when you lind it!'
Sir said Silver, las between mar
and man, that's too. much and too little
What you're after, why you left tn.
block-house, why you give me tina
there chart, don't know now, do /;
And yet 1 done your bidding with m,
eyes shut, and never a word of hope
But no, this here's too much. If yo,
won't tell me what you mean plain out
just say SO, and leave the helm'
"No," said the doctor, musingly, NV,
no right to say more; it's not my secret
you see. Silver, or, give you my word
I'd tell it to you. But Til go as far with
you as dare go, and step beyond, 70
I'll have my wig sorted by the captain
or I'm mistaken And, first, III Civ,
you a bit of hope; Silver. if we boil
get alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll d.
my best to save. you. short of perjury.
Silverss face was radiant. s'Yo,