Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10

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''Reflse that and you have seen tho last Of me
but musket balls" cried Silver.
don't deny it was a good lay. Some of
you pretty handy with band-spilie
end. And III not deny either, but what
some of my people was shook-maybc
all was shook; maybe l was shook my
self; maybe that's why I'm here for
terms. But you mark me, cap'n, it
won't do twice, by thunder! Well have
to do sentry go, and ease off point OF
so on the rum. Maybe you think we
were all a sheet in the winds eye. But
III tell you l was sober; was on'y dog
tired; and if I'd awoke q second sooner
I'd caught you at the act, would.
lie wasn't dead when got round to
him, not he"
"Wcll?" says Capt. Smollctt, as cool
MS can be.
All that Silver said was riddle to
him. but you would never have guessed
it from his tone. AS for me. began to
have an inkling. Ben Gums last words
came back to my mind. I begun to
suppose that he had paid the buccan-
GERS a visit while they all lay drunk
together around their fire, and reck-
oned up with glee that we had only
ID enemies to deal with.
well, here it is" said Silver. Eve
want that treasure, and we'll have it
that's our point! You would just as
7
that's yours. You have chart, haven't
you?"
That's as may be-" replied the cap
tain.
"Oh, well, you have, I know that"
returned Long John. you needn't be
so husky with man; there amt par
ticle of service in that, and you may lay
TO it. What I mean is, we want your
chart. Now, l never meant you no
harm, myself"
That won't do with me, my man."
interrupted the captain. I'VE know eX-
actly what you meant TO do. and we
don't care; for now, you see, you can't
do it,"
And the captain looked at him calm
ly, and proceeded to fill his pipe.
"lf Abe Gray" Silver broke out
"Avant there" cried Mr.. Smollett
Gray told me nothing. and asked him
nothing; and what's more, would see
you and him and this whole island
blown clean out of the water into blazes
first. So there's my mind for you, my
man, on that"
This little Whit of temper seemed to
cool Silver down. He had been grow
ing ncttled before. but now he pulled
himself together.
Like enough" said he. 81 would
set no limits to what gentlemen might
consider ship shape, or might not, as
the case were. And, secin' as how YOU
are about to take pipe, cap'n, I'll make
SO free as to do likewise"
And he Glled a pipe and lighted it.
and the two men sat silently smok-
ing for quite awhile, now looking each
other iii the face, now stopping their to-
bncco, now leaning forward to spit. 1t
was as good as the play to see them.
"Now," resumed Silver, here it is,
You give lis the chart to get the
treasure by, and drop shooting poor
seamen and stoving in their heads while
asleep. You do that, and We'll offer
you choice. Either you come along
aboard of us, once the treasure shipped,
and then I'll give You my affydavy,
upon my word Of honor, to clap you
somewhere's safe ashore. Or, if that
amt your fancy, some OF my hands be
ing rough, and having old scores on ac-
| ~ hay :, har
you can. Well divide stores with yo,i,
man for man, and TIL give you my affy
davy, as before, TO speak the first ship
| sight, and send 'em here to pick you
up. Now. you'll own that's talking,
Handsomer. You couldn't look to get,
not you. And hope" raising his
voice that all hands In this here
blockhouse will overhaul my words, for
what is spoke to one is spoke to ALL"
Capt. Smollett rose from his seat, and
knocked out the ashes from his pipe in
the palm of his left hand.
rs that all?" he asked.
Every last word, by thunderl" an
swered John. Refuse that, and you've
seen the last of me but musk balls"
Very WE'LL" said the captain. "Now
you'll hear me. If you'll come up one
by one, unarmed, III engage.ro clap you
all in irons, and take you home to Il
fair trial in England. II you won't,
my name is Alexander Smollett, I've
flown my soveregn's colors, and III
see you all to Davy Jones. You can't
find the treasure. You can't sail the
ship-there's not a man among you fiji
to sail the ship. You cant fight us
Gray, there, got away from five of you,
Your ships in irons, Master Silver;