Daily camera., 1901-08-28
"Ah, sl,ss.ll. aay. asl a.A., wv. y.

it. But where was you, do you sup
pose?
had made my mind up in q moment.
and by way Of answer told him the
whole story of our voyage, and the pre-
dicament in which we found ourselves.
He heard me with the keenest interest,
and when l had done he patted me on
the head.
you're good lad. Jim." he said;
"and you're oil in Glove hitch. amt
you? Well, you just put your trust In
Ben Gunn-Ben Gunn's the man to do
it. Would you think it likely. now,
that your squire would prove liberal
minded one in case of help-him being
in Glove hitch, as you remark"
told him the squire was the most lib
eral Of men.
"Ah, but you see." returned Ben
Gum, II didn't mean giving me gate
to keep, and suit of livery clothes.
and such; that's not my mark. Jim.
What l mean is, would he be likely to
come down to the toon OF, say G1.OOO
out OF money that's as good as mans
own already?"
~ am sure he would" said l. "As 1t
was, all hands were to share"
"And passage home?" he added,
with look of great shrewdness.
why" 1 cried, 1.-THE squires gen
tleman. And, besides, if we got rid Of
the others, we should want you to help
work the vessel home"
"Ah," said he, $50 you would" And
heSjeemed very much relieved.
'Now, I'll tell you what" he went
on. $50 much I'll tell you. and no more.
l were in Flint's ship when he buried
the treasure; he and six along-six
strong seamen. They was ashore nigh
on week. and us standing of and
on in the old 'Walrus.' One fine day
up went the signal, and here come
Flint by himself in little boat, and his
head done up in blue scarf. The sun
was getting up, and mortal white he
looked about the cut-water. But. there
he was. you mind, and the six all dead
it, not man aboard us could make out.
1t was battle, murder and sudden death,
leastways-him against six. Billy
Bones was the mate; Long John. he was
quartermaster; and they asked him
where the treasure was. Ah,' says he,
you can go ashore. if you like. and
stay he saysj but as for the ship, she'll
beat up for more. by thunder!' That's
what he said.
well. was in another ship three
years back. and we sighted this island.
Boys said I, here's Flint's treasure;
let's land and find it. The captain was
displeased at that; but my messmates
were all OF mind and landed. Twelve
days they looked for it, and every day
they had the worse word for me, until
one fine morning all hands went
aboard. AS for you, Benjamin Gunu.'
says they, here's musket.' they says,
and a spade, and pick-ax. You can
stay here, and find FlintS money for
yourself they says.
We'll, Jim. three years have I been
here, and not bite Of Christian die,
from that day TO this. But now, you
look here; look at me. Do look like a
man before the mast? No. Says you.
Nor I weren't. neither. says"
And with that he winked and pinched
me hard.
Just you mention them words TO
your squire, Jim"-he went on: Nor he
weren't, netherlands the words
Three years he were the man Of this
island. light and dark. fair and rain;
and sometimes he would. maybe, think
upon a prayer (says you). and some
times he would, maybe. think o. his old
mother. so be as she's alive you'll say) !:
but the most par. Of Gums time (,his
is what you'll say)-the most part of
his time was took up with another mat
ter. And then you'll give him nip, like
l do"
And he pinched me again. in the mos,
confidential manner.
Then" he continued-"then you'll!
up and you'll say this: Gum is good
man (youll say), and he puts precious
sight more oreconfidence-ap precious sight,
mind that-in gentleman born than in
these gentlemen Of fortune, having
been one hisself."
WELL" I said. II don't understand
one word that you've been saying. But
that's neither here nor there; for how
am to get on board?"
"Ah," said he. ''that's the hitch for
sure. Well. there's my boat that ]
do NTH h,p ha-
under the white rock If the. worst
come to the worst, we might try that
after dark. Hill" he broke out, whats
that?"
For just then, although the sun had
still an hour or two to run, all the echoes
of the island awoke and beloved to
the thunder Of a cannon.
They have begun to fight!" cried.
Follow me-"
And I began to run toward the
anchorage, my terrors all forgotten;
while, close ut my side. the marooned
man in his goatskins trotted easily and
lightly.
Left, left" says he; keep to your
left hand. mate Jim! Under the trees
with you! There's where / killed my
Arst goat. They don't come down here
now; they're all mastheaded on them
mountings for the fear Of Benjamin
Gum. All! and there's the cetemery"
cemetery he must have meant.
"You see the mounds? 1 come here
and pray, nows and thens, when
thought maybe a Sunday would be
about doc. 1t weren't quite chapel.
but it seemed more solemn like; and
then, says you, Ben Gum was short
handed-no chapling. nor so much Is q
Bible and flag, you says"
So he kept talking as I ran, neither
expecting nor receiving any answer.
The cannon-shot was followed, after
q considerable interval, by volley OF
small arms. -
Another pause. and then, not a
quarter of mile in front OF me, I be-
held the Union Jack futter in the air
above wood. >:<=*.ssss-a-
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