Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-03

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Silver buried his knife twice in that defenseisss
body.
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.
AT that | once more stopped.
''Who are you" Issked.
"Ben Gum" he answered. and his
voice sounded hoarse and awkward, like
a rusty lock. I'm poor Ben Gum, I
ain; and I haven't spoke with Chris
tan these three years"
could now see that he was a white
man Ike myself. and that his features
were even pleasing. His skin, wher-
ever il was exposed, was burned by the
nun; 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 raggcdness. He was clothed viii h
tatters OF old ships canvas and old sea-
cloth; and this extraordinary patch
work was all held together by a system
of the most various and homogeneous
fasterings, brass buttons. bits of stick.
and loops Of tarry gaskin. About his
waist he wore an old brass -bucklcd
leather belt, which was the one thing
Bolid in his whole accoutrement.
"Three years." l cried. "Were you
shipwresked?
NAY, mate" said he-"marooned-"
had hea the word. and I knew 1t
stood for horrible kind Of punish
ment common enough among the buc-
cancers. in which the offender is put
ashore with a little powder and shot,
and left behind on some desolate and
distant island.
"Marooned three years ngone," he
continued, land lived on goats since
then, and berries, and oysters. Wher-
ever man is, says I, a man can do for
himself. But. mate. my heart is sore
for Christian diet. You mightn't hap
pen to have piece of cheese about you,
now? No? We'll, many's the long
night I've dreamed of cheeSe-toasted,
mostly-and woke up again. and here
i were"
"If ever l can get aboard again." said
I, "you shall have cheese by the stone
All this time he had been feeling the
stuff of my iaclet, smoothing my hands
looking at my boots, and generally, il
the intervals of his speech. showing q
childish pleasure in the presence of a
fellow creature. But at my last words
he perked up into kind of startled sly
ness.
"If you ever get aboard again. says
you?" he repeated. "Why. now, who's
to hinder you?"
"Not you, know" was my reply.
"And right you was" he cried Now
you-what do you call yourself mate?'
"Jim," told him.
Jim, JIM" says he, quite please ap
parently. well, now, jim. I've livet
that rough as you'd be ashamed to a
hear of. Now, for instance, you
wouldn't think had pious mother
to look at me?" he asked.
"Why, no, not in particular" l an
swered
"Ah, WELL" said he, but had-re
markedly pious. And ! 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's
what it come to, Jim, and it begun will
chuck-farthen on the blessed grave
stones! That's what ii begun with
but it went further'n that; and so my
mother told me, and predicked the
whole, she did the pious woman. Bu'
it were Providence that put me here
I've thought 1t all out in this here lone
~ island, and I'm back on piety. YOU
can't catch me tasting rum so much;
but lust thimbleful for luck, OF
course, the first chance l have. Tn
bound I'll be good, and see the way to
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 his solitude, and
suppose must have shown the feeling
in my face, for he repeated the
statement, hotly:
Rich! rich! / says. And I'll tel
you what; I'll make man of you, jim
! An, jim, you ii Ditss youi e'"ie' yOt
will, YOU was the first that founo
mel"
And at this there came suddenly low
ering shadow over his face. and h'
frightened his grasp upon my hand, ano
raised forefnger threateningly be
fore my eyes.
"Now, Jim, you tell Inc true; tina
amt Flint's ship?" he asked,
AT this | had happy inspiration.
began to believe that | had found al
ally, and / answered him at once.
IT'S not Flints ship, and Flint Il
dead; but I'll tell you true, as you asl
me-there are some of Flints hands
aboard; worse luck for the rest o
U.S."
Not a man-with one-leg?" HI
gasped.
"Silver?" I asked.
"Ah, Silver!" says he; shat were hi
name"
Hes the cook; and the ringieader
too"
He was still holding me by the wrist
and at that he gave it quiet wiring,
IF you was sent by Long john h
said, "Im rs good rs pork, and / know
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