Daily camera., 1901-08-30

upon the other. Tired as we all We're,
two were sent out for firewood; two
more were sent TO dig grave for Red
ruth; the doctor was named cook; l
was put sentry at the door; and the
CAPTAIN himself went from one TO an
other. keeping up our spirits and lend
ing hand wherever il was wanted.
From time to time the doctor came
to the door for q little air and to rest
his eyes, which were almost smoked out
of his head; and whenever he did so, he
had word for me.
THAT man Smollett." he said once,
"is a better man than am. And when
I saw that it means deal, jim"
Another time he came and was silent
for awhile. Then he put his head on
one side, and looked at me.
rs this Ben Gum man7'' he asked
AZ do not know. sir" said !. - mn
not very sure ~hethes he's sane.
"If there's any doubt aboutthe mat
ter, he is" returned the doctor. "A man
who has been three years biting his
nails on desert island. Jim. can't en-
pect 10 appear as sane as you or me- IL
doesn't lie IN human nature. Was 1t
cheese YOU said ne had n fancy for?
"Yes, sir, cheese" l answered,
We'll, jim" says he, Just see the
good tha, comes of being dainty in
Your food. You've seen my snuff-boS.
haven't you? And you never saw me
take snuff: the reason being that in
nv snutf-box carry piece of Parme-
san cheese-a cheese made in Italy, very
nutritious. Wen, that's for Ben Gum.
Before supper was eaten we buried
old Tom in the sand, and stood round
him for awhile bareheaded in the
breeze. 4 good deal of tirewood had
been got in, but not enough for the cap
tain's fancy, and he shook his head over
il, and told lis we must get back to tins
tomorrow rather livelier.n Then, when
we had eaten our pork, and each had
| good stiff glass of brandy grog, the
three chiefs got together in corner
! to discuss our prospects.
1t appears they were al their Wits
| end what to do, the stores being so low
| that we must have been starved into
surrender long before help came. But
our best hope, il was decided, was 10
| Kill off the buccaneers until they either
hauled down their flag or ran away
with the :'Hispaniola y From nineteen
they were already reduced TO fifteen,
two others were wounded, and one. at
least-the man shot beside the gun
severely wounded. if he were not dead.
| Every time we had crack at them we
were to take i, saving our own lives
| with the extremist care And besides
| that we had two abis allies, rum and
\ the climate.
As for the first, though we were about
half mile away, we could hear them
roaring and singing late into the night;
and as for the second. the doctor s;aked
| lis wig that, camped where they were
in the marsh, and unprosided with rem
| ctlies. the half of them would be on
their backs before week.
so" he added, IF we are not all shot
down first they'll be glad to be pack
ing in the schooner. It's always a ship,
and they can get to buccaneering
again, / suppose"
First ship that ever lost" said Capt.
Smollett,
/ was dead tired. as you may fancy;
and when l got to sleep. which was not
til after great deal of tossing, slep;
like a log of wood.
The rest had long been up, and had
already breakfasted and increased the
pile of firewood by about half as much
l again, when | was awakened by a
hustle and the sound pf voices.
Flag of truce," ] heard some one
say; and then Immediately after, with
a cry OF surprise: Silver himself"
And at that l jumped up. and, rub
bing my eyes, ran to a loophole in the
wall.