Daily camera., 1901-08-28
CHAPTER XIV.
THE MAN OF THE ISLAND,

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turned instinctively in that direction
and saw figure leap with great rapid
ity behind the trunk Of pine. What il
was, whether bear or man or monkey,
could in no wise tell. 1t seemed dark
and shaggy; more l knew not. But the
terror of the new apparition brought
me to stand.
| l was now, it seemed, cut of upon
both sides; behind me the murderers,
before me this lurking rondescript. And
Immediately I began to prefer the dan
gers that I knew to those / knew not
Silver himself appeared less terrible in
contrast with this creature of the
woods, and turned on my heel, and
looking sharply behind me over my
shoulder, began to retrace my steps in
the direction Of the boats.
Instantly the figure reappeared. and,
making wide circuit, began to head
me of. was tired, at any rate; but
had I been as fresh as when rose,
could see it was in vain for me to con-
tend in speed such an adversary. From
trunk to trunk the creature fitted like
q deer, running man-like on two legs,
but unlike any man that l had ever
seen, STOPPING almost double as II ran.
Yet man it was. could no longer be
in doubt about that.
l began to recall what had heard Of
cannibals. I was within an ace of call
ing for help. But the mere fact that
he was man. however wild. had some
what reassured me, and my fear OF Sill
yer began to revive in proportion.
stood still. therefore. and cast about
for some method Of escape; and as
was so thinking, the recollection Of my
pistol flashed into my mind. AS soon
as remembered I was not defenseless,
courage glowed again in my heart;
and set my face resolutely for this
man of the island, and walked briskly
toward him.
He was concealed by this time, be-
hind another tree trunk; but he must
have been watching me closely. for as
soon as began TO move in his direction
he reappeared and took step to meet
me. Then he. hesitated, drew back,
came forward again, and at last, to
my wonder and confusion, threw him
self on his knees and held out his
clasped hands in supplication. 8,
AT that l once more stopped. =
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Ben Gum" he answered. and his
voice sounded hoarse and awkward, like
rusty lock. I'm poor Ben Gum,
am; and l haven't spoke with Chris
tian these three years"
l could now see that he was q white
man like myself. and that his features
were even pleasing. His skin. wher-
ever it was exposed, was burned by the
sun; even his lips were black, and his
fair eyes looked quite startling in so
dark face. OF all the beggar-men that
! had seen or fancied, he was the chief
for raggedness. He was clothed with
tattcrs Of old ships canvas and old sea-
cloth; and this extraordinary patch
work was all held together by a system
of the most various aud incongruous
fas,enings, brass buttons. bits of stick,
and loops of tarry gaskin. About his
waist he wore an old brass-buckled
leather belt, which was the one thing
solid in his whole accoutrement.
Three years." l cried. Were you
shipwrecked?"
NAY, mate" said he-"marooned-"
had heard the word, and knew il
stood for a horrible kind Of punish.
ment common enough among the buc'
cancers, in which the offender is pu,
ashore with little powder and shot
and left behind on some desolate and
distant island.
.Msrooued three years agone." hs
continued, "and lived on goats since
then, and berries, and oysters. Wher
ever a man is, says !. man can do fol
himself. But, mate. my heart is sore
for Christian diet You mightn't hap
pen to have piece Of cheese about you
now? No? Well. many's the long
night I've dreamed of cheese-toasted
mostly-and woke up again, and her,
were"
"If ever can get aboard again." sale
/. you shall have cheese by the stone
All this time he had been feeling th'
stuff of my jacket, smoothing my hands
looking at my boots, and generally. il
the intervals Of his speech. showing ,
childish pleasure in the presence OF ,
fellow creature. But at my last word
he perked up into kind Of startled sly
ness.
"If you ever get aboard again, say
your" he repeated. "Why, now, who
to hinder you?"
Not you, know" was my reply.
"And right you was" he cried. "Nov
you-what do you call yourself, mate :?
"Jim," told him.
Jim, jim says he, quite pleased. ap
parently. well, now. Jim, I've live
that rough as you'd be ashamed TO
hear Of Now, for instance, 20,
wouldn't think had pious mother
to look at me?'' he asked.
"Why, no, not in particular" an
swered.
"Ah, WE'LL" said he, "but I had-re
markably .pious. And I was a civil
pious boy, and could rattle of my cate
chism that fast, as you couldn't tel
one word from another. And here
what it come to, Jim, and it begun witt
chuck-farthen on the blessed grave
stones! That's what 1t begun with
but it went further'n that; and SO m.
mother told me, and predicked tn
whole, she did, the pious woman. Blu
it were Providence that put me here
I've thought it all out in this here lone
ly island, and I'm back on piety. Yo'
can't catch me tasting rum SO much
but just thimbleful for luck, o
course, the first chance have. In
bound I'll be good. and see the way te
And, Jim" looking all around him
and lowering his voice to whisper
I'm rich"
/ / now felt sure that the poor fellow
had gone crazy in bis solitude, and
suppose must have shown the feeling
in my face, for he repeated tn
statement. hot!y:
Al