Arizona republican., 1899-03-02
redSure
 ..IsIaDd.&
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Continued From Yesterday)

' l J
 There was a long pause after thIs. [ stood straight up agalnst the wall, :siy heart still gbing like 2 sicdge-ham- mer, but with a ray of hope now shin ing in my bosom. Silver leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed, his pipe in the corner Of his mouth, as calm. as though he had been in church; yet his eye kept wandering furtirely, and he kept the tail of it on his unrrly fol- lowers. They on their part drew grad ualy together toward 1 he far end of the blocl1-house, and the low hiss of their whispering sounded in my cars contir- uously, like a stream. One after an- other they would look up, the red light of the torch would fall fdr sec ond on their nervous faces; built was not toward me, it was toward Silver they turned their eyes.
 You seem to have let to say,' re- marked Silver, splitting far into the air. Pipe up and let me hear it, or lay to-
 AK your pardon, sir,' said one of the men, you're pretty free with some of the rules; maybe you'l kindly keep an eve upon the rest. This crews dis satisfied; this crew don't vauy bully ing a marlinspille; this crew has it's rights like other crews, I'll make so free as that; and by your own rules, 1 take it we can talk together l aN your pardon, sir, acknowledging you for to be capting at this present; but I claim my right, and steps outside for a coun cil''
 And with an elaborate sea-salute, this fellow, a long, ill-looking, yellow-eyed man of five-and-thirty, stepped coolly toward the door and disappeared out of the house. One after another the rest followed his example; each male ing a salute as he passed; each adding some apology. According 0 the rules,'' said one. "Fo'k's1c council" said Nor gan. And so, with one remark or an other, alf marched out, and left Silver and me alone with the torch.
 The sea-eook instantly removed his. p1pe.
 Now, look here, Jim Hawkins" he said, in a steady whisper, that was no more than audible, you're within half a plank of death, and what's a long sight worse, of torture. They're going to throw me off. But you mark, l | stand by you through thick and thin, l didn't mean to; no, not till you spoke 1 up. I was about desperate to lose that | much blunt, and be hanged into the bargain. But I sec you was the right sort. I says to myself: You stand by | John, and Hawkins'n stand by you. You're his last card, and by | the living thunder, John. he's yours! | Back to back, says I. You save yom and he'll save your neck!"
 I began dimly to understand.
 ''You mean ali is Iost?'' I asked.
 s'Ay, by gum, I dol" he answered | Ship gone, neck gone-that's the size of it. Once I 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 lfc-if so be as I can-from them. But see here, Jim-tit for tat-you save Long John from swinging"
 I was bewildered; it seemed thing so hopeless he was asl1ing-he, the old buccaneer, the ringleader throughout.
 "What can do, that I'll do,'' I said.
  You speak up plucky, and, by thunder! I've a chance"
 He hobbled to the torch, where it stood proPped among the frewood, and took q fresh light to his pipe
 understand me, Jim" he said res turning I've head on my shoulders. I have. I'm on squire's side, now. know you've got that ship safe some where's. How you done it, I don't know, but safe it is. I guess Hands and O'Brien turned soft. l never much .be- lieved in neither of them. Now you mark me. l ask no questions, nor l won't let others. I know when a games I'D, I do; and know lad that's stanch. Ah. you that's young-you and me might have done a power of good to- gether!'
 He drew some cognac from the cask into a tin canil<in.
 Twill you taste, messmate?" he asked; and when had refused: well, I'll take a drain myself, ,EiIa,' said he. T reed a caulkcr for there's trouble on hand. And. talking O trouble, why did that doctor give ne the chart, Jim?''
 My face expressed q wonder 90 un- affected tkat he saw the needlessness of further questions.
 'Ah well. Ec did, though.' said he. And there's something under that no surely, under that, !: Jim-bad CT rcod.'
 And he tcoE another swallow of the brandy, shaking his great fair head like I man who Iool:s forward to the worst
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