Daily camera., 1901-09-06
CHAPTER xxx1.
THE TREASURE HUNT = FLINT's
POINTER.

THE TREASURE HUNT FLINT'S
POINTER.
~.Jim," said Silver. when we were
alone. eff saved your life, you saved
mine; and I'll not forget it. seen the
doctor waving you to run for it-with
the tail Of my eye. did; and seen you
say no. as plain as hearing. Jim. that's
one to you. This is the first CLINT Of
hope had since the attack failed. and
/ owe it you. And now. Jim. we're
to 90 in for this here treasure-hunting.
with sealed orders, too. and l don't like
il: and you and me must stick close.
hack to back like. and we'll save our
necks in spite o fate and fortune"
Just then man hailed US from the
fire that breakfast w'aa ready. and we
were soon seated here and there about
the sand over biscuit and fried junk.
They had lighted fire At to roast an
OK: and it was now grown 50 hot that
they could only approach it from the
windward, and even there not without
precaution. In the same wasteful spir-
it. they had cooked, I suppose. three
timos more than we could eat; and one
Of them. with an empty laugh, threw
what was left into the Are, which blazed
and roarel again over this unusual fuel.
l never in my life saw men so careless
Of the morrow: hand to mouth is the
only word that can describe their way
Of doing: and what with wasted food
and sleeping sentriee, though they were
bold enough for brush and be done
with il, could see their entire unfftness
for anything like a prolonged cam.
paign.
Even Silver. eating away. with Capt.
Flint upon his shoulder had not word
OF blame for their recklessnes. And
this the more surprised me, for
thought he had never shown himself
SO cunning as he did then.
"Ay, mates," said he, "it's lucky you
have Barbecue to think for you with
this here head. Igot what wanted.
did. Sure enough. they have the ship
Where they have it, I don't know yet;
but once we hit the treasure, we'll have
to jump about and find out. And then
mates, US that has the boats, reckon
has the upper hand"
Thus he kept running on, with his
mouth full Of the hot bacon; thus he
restored their hope and confidence, and
more than suspect. repaired his own
at the same time.
"As for hostage" he continued
'that's his last talk, guess, with then
he loves 80 dear. I've got my piece o
| news, and thanky to him for that; bu
it's over and done. I'll take him in q
line when we 90 treasure-hunting. fol
we'll keep him like SO much gold, In
case of accidents, you mark, and in the
meantime, once we got the ship anc
treasure both, and of TO sea like jolly
companions. why. then we'll talk Mr.
| Hawkins over, we will. and we'll give
him his share, to be sure, for all his
kindness"
It was no wonder the men were in q
good humor now. For my part, wal
horribly cast down. Should the scheme
he had now sketched prove feasible. Sill
yer, already doubly traitor, would moi
hesitate to adopt 1t. He had still foo
in either camp, and there was no doubt
he would prefer wealth and freedom
with the pirates to bare escape from
banging, which was the best he had tt
hope on our side.
Nay. and even if things 50 tell out
that he was forced to keep his fait1
with DR.. Livesey, even then what dan
ger lay before usl What a moment thai
would be when the suspicious Of his fol
lowers turned to certainty, and he ant
1 should have to tight for dear life
he, cripple, and /, . boy-against f'v'
stf6hg and active seamen!
Add to this double apprehension. tn
mystery that still hung over the be
havior Of my friends; their unexplained
ldesertion Of the stockade; their mex
plicable cesston Of the chart; or. hardel
stin to understand the doctors Las
lxnening TO eilygr: Look out fcl