Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-26

Themselves, and right they are, you
may lay to it. But / have a way with
me, have. When mate brings slip
on his cable-one as knows me, mean
it won't be in the same world with
old John. There was some that was
feared Of Pew, and some that was
feared of Flint but Flint his own self
was feared of me. Feared he was, md
proud. They was the toughest crew
aAoat, was flints; the devil himself
would have been feared TO go To sea
with them. Well, now, tell you, I'm
not Boosting man, and you seen
yourself how easy keep company; for
when l was quartermaster, lambs
wasn't the word for Flint's old buc-
cancers. An. you may be sure of your
self in old Johns ship"
well. 1 tell you now" replied the
lad, II didn't half a quarter like the job
till 1 had this talk with you, John; but
there's my hand on it now"
And brave lad you were, and
smart, too" answered Silver, shaking
hands so heartily that all the barrel
shook, land finer figure-head for a
gentleman of fortune l never clapped
my eyes on"
BY this time I had begun to under
stand the meaning of their terms. Ply
a "gentleman of fortune" they plainly
meant neither more nor less than a
common pirate, and the little scene
that I had overheard was the last act
in the corruption OF one of the honest
hands-perhaps of the last one left
aboard. But on this point was soon
to be relieved, for Silver giving little
whistle, a third man strolled up, and
sat down by the party.
"Dick's square" said Silver.
"Oh, I knowcd Dick was square, -
returned the voice of the cockswain,
Israel Hands. Hes no fool, is Dick"
And he turned his quid and spat. But,
look here" he went on, here's what
want to know, Barbecue-how long are
we a-going TO stand off and on like a
blessed bum-boat? I've had Almost
enough O. Cap'n smollett; he's hazcd
me long enough. by thunder. l want
to go into that cabin, do. want their
pickles and wines. and that"
Israel" said Silver, your head amt
much account, nor ever was. But
you're able to hear, l reckon; least
ways, your ears is big enough. Now
here's what l say-you'u berth for
ward, and youll live hard, and you'll
speak soft, and you'll keep sober, til
l give the word; and you may lay te
that, my SON.
We'll. l don't say no, do II" growleC
the cockswain. What | say is, when
That's what | say"
"When! by the powers!" cried Silver
"Well, now, if you want 10 know, II
tell YOU when. The last moment / car
manage; and that's when. Here's
first rate seaman, Cap'n Smollett, sail.
the blessed ship for us. Here's thi.
squire and doctor with a map and suci
l don't know where it is, do |? \,
, more do you, says you. Well, then,
mean this squire and doctor shall fine
the stuff. and help us to get it aboard
by the powers. Then we'll see. If
was sure of you all, sons of doubl
Dutchmen, I'd have Cap'n Smollet
. avigate us halfway back again befor
: l struck"
"Why, we're all scamen aboard here
I should think" said the lad Dick
; Were all fok'sle hands, you mean,
, snapped Silver. I'VE can atocr couI Sc
but who's to set one? That's what al
= you gentlemen split on, first and last
: If had my way, I'd have Cap'n Smol
, lett work us back into the trades, a
! least; then we'd have no blessed mis-
: calculations and n spoonful of water
day. But | know the sort you are. II
finish with 'em on the island. as soon
the blunt's on board, and pity it is
But you're never happy till your
drunk. Split my sides, I've a sick hear
to sail with the likes of you'll"