Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-03-10
No. 10

the men, you're pretty free with some
of the rules; maybe you'll kindly keep
an eye upon the rest. This crews dis
satisfied; this crew don't vally bully
ing a marlinspike; this crew has its
rights like other crews, I'll make so free
as that; and by your own rules, takS
1t we can talk together. l ak your
pardon, sir, acknowledging you for to
be capting at this present; but claim
my right, and steps outside for a coun-
cil."
And with an elaborate sea-salute, this
fellow, long, Unlocking, yellow-eyed
man of fve-and-thirty, stepped coolly
toward the door and disappeared out
of the house. One after another the
rest followed his example; each max
ing salute as he passed; each adding
some apology. According to the rules"
said one. ''Fo'k's'le council" said Nor
gan. And so, with one remark or an
other, all marched out, and left Silver
and me alone with the torch.
The sea-cook instantly removed his
pipe.
Now, look here, Jim Hawkins" he
ShiNAt III otN'hy W hASlNi, bhdO was uO
more than audible, you're within half
plank of death, and what's long
sight worse, of torture. They're going
to throw me off. But you mark, /
stand by you through thick and thin.
didn't mean to, no, not iii you spoke
up. I was about desperate to lose that
much blunt, and be hanged into the
bargain. But l see you was the right
sort. l says to myself: You stand by
Hawkins, John, and Hawkins'll stand
by you. You're his last card, and by
the living thunder, John, he's yours!
Back to back, says /. You save your
witness. and he'll save your neck!"
began dimly to understand.
"You mean all is lost?" asked.
"Ay, by gum, dol" he answered.
ship gone, neck gone-that's the size
of it. Once looked into that bay, Jim
Hawkins, and seen no schooner-well,
I'm tough, but gave out. AS for that
lot and their council, mark me, they're
outright fools and towards. I'll save
your life-if so be as can-from them.
But see here, Jim-tit for tat-you save
Long John from swinging"
was bewildered; 1t seemed thing
SO hopeless he was asl1ing-he, the old
huccaneer, the ringleader throughout.
"What can do, that I'll do" I said.
Its bargain!" cried Long John.
"You speak up plucky, and, by thunder!
I've a chance"
He hobbled to the torch, where 1t
stood propped among the hrewoou, and
tool fracb lierhf m hic nina
Understand me, Jim," he said, re-
turning. "Tve head on my shoulders.
I have. I'm on squire's side, now. l
know you've got that ship safe some
where's. How you done it, 1 don't know,
but safe it is. / guess Hands and
O'Brien turned soft. never much be-
lieved in neither of them. Now you
mark me. 1 ask no questions, nor I
won't let others. Iknow when games
up, do; and know lad that's stanch.
All, you that's young-you and me
might have done q power of good to-
gether!"
He drew some cognnc from the cask
into tin canikin.
"Will you taste, messmate?" he
asked; and when had refused: "Well,
I'll take drain myself, Jim," said he.
81 need caulker, for there's trouble on
hand. And, talking o. trouble, why did
that doctor give me the chart, Jim?"
My face expressed wonder SO un-
affected that he saw the needlessness
of further questions.
"Ah, well. he did, though" said he.
"And there's something under that, no
doubt-something -surolSf- nndar that
Jnm-Dud good"
And he took another swallow of the
brandy, shaking his great fair head like
n man who looks forward to the worst.
fro M CONTINUED