Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24

take your share, and die a gentleman,
and now, my cock, you've got to. Cap'n
Smolletts fine seaman, as I'll own up
to any day, but stiff on discipline.
'Dooty is dooty,' says he, and right he
is. Just you keep clear of the cap'n.
The doctor himself is gone dead again
you-'ungrateful scamp was what he
said; and the short and the long Of the
whole story Is about here; you can't 90
back to your own lot, for they won't
have you; and. without you start third
ships company all by yourself. which
might be lonely, you'll have to fine with
Cap'n Silver"
SO far so good. My friends, then,
were still alive, and though I partly be-
lleved the truth of Silvers statement,
that the cabin party were incensed at
lue for my desertion, I was more re-
lieved than distressed by what heard.
Il don't say nothing as to your be-
ing in our hands," continued Silver,
Though there you are, and you may lay
to it. I'm all for argument; I never
seen good come out O. threatening. II
you like the service, well, you'll jine;
and II you don't, Jim, you're free to
answer no-free and welcome, ship
mate; and II fairer can be said by NOR
tai seaman, SILVER my sidesl"
"Am to answer, then 2" asked, with
a very tremulous voice. Through all
this sneering talk, 1 was made to feel
the threat of death that overhung me.
and my cheeks burned and my heart
beat painfully in my breast.
Lad" said Silver, mo ones a-press-
ing of you. Take your bearings. None
Of us won't hurry you, mate time goes
30 pleasant in your company, you see."
well" says I, growing a bit holder,
eff I'm to choose, declare have right
to know what's what. and why you're
here. and where my friends are"
"Wot's wot?" repeated one of the buc-
cancers, in deep grcwl. "Ah, he'd be
a lucky one as knowed that!"
you'll perhaps batten down your
matches till you're spoke. my friend"
cried Silver, truculently. to this speak.
er. Yesterday morning, Mr.. Haw-
kins." said he, "in the dog-watch, down
came DR.. Livesey with flag of truce.
Says he: 'Cap'n Silver. you're sold out.
Ships gone!' Well, maybe we'd bsen
taking a glass, and a song to help it
round. I won't say no. Leastwavs
none of us had looked out. We looked
out, and. by thunder! the old ship
was gone. l never seen pack O. fools
look fisher; and you may lay to that.
il I tells you that looked the fishiest.
Well says the doctor, let's bargain
We barrained, him and I. and here we
are; stores, brandy, block-house. the
fire-wood you was thoughtful enough
to cut, and, in a manner of speaking,
the whole blessed boat, from cross-trees
to keelson. AS for them, they've
tramped; 1 don't know where's they
are"
He drew again quietly at his pipe.
And lest you should take it into
that head of yours" he went on, that
you was included in the treaty, here's
the last words that was said: How
many are your says |, to leaveT -Four,
says he-'four and one of US wounded
AS for the hoy, don't know where
he is, confound him, says he. nor
don't much care. We're about sick Of
him. These was his words"
as that all?" l asked.
well. it's all you're to hear, my son."
returned Silver.
And now | am to choose?"
"And now you are to choose, and you
may lay to that" said Silver.
WELL" said |, 81 am not such fool
but l know pretty we'll what have 10
look for. Let the worst come to the
worst, it's little care. I've seen too
many die since fell in with you. But
there's "a thing or two have to tell you,"
said, and by this time was quite ex-
cited; land the first is this: Here you
are in the bad way; ship lost, treasure
lost. men lost; your whole business
gone to wreck; and if you want to
know who did tit was I! was
in the apple barrel the nightyou sight
ed land, and l heard you, John, and
you, Dick johnson, and Hands, who is
now at the bottom Of the sSa, and told
every word you said before the hour
was out. And as for the schooner, it
was I who cut her cable, aud it was
who killed the men you had aboard OF
her, and 1t was l who brought her
where you'll never see her more, not
one of you. The laughs on my side;
I've had the top of this business from
the first; no more fear you than fear
fly. Kill me, if you please, or spare
me. But one thing I'll say, and no
more; if you spare me, by-gones are
by-goncs, and, when you fellows are in
court for piracy, I'll save you all l can.
1t is for you to choose. Kill another
and do yourself no good, or spare me
and keep witness to save you from
the gallows."
I stopped, for, tell you, was out of
breath, and, to my wonder, not q man
of them moved, but all sat staring at
me like as many sheep. And while
they were still staring, I broke out
again:
and now, Mr.. Silver" / said. 81 be-
lieve you're the best man here, and ii
things go to the worst, I'll take it kind
of you to let the doctor know the way
] took it,"
"Ill bear It in mind" said Silver. with
an accent so curious that could not,
for the life of me, decide whether he
were laughing at my request OF had
been favorably affected by my cOur
age.
I'll put one TO that" cried the old
mahogany-faced seaman-Morgan by
name-whom had seen In Long Johns