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

anchored there since the island arose
out of the seas.
There was not breath of mir NOV
ing, nor a sound but that of the surf
booming half a mile away along the
beaches and against the rocks outside.
A peculiar stagnant smell hung over
the anchorage - smell of sodden
leaves and rotten tree trunks. L OBJ
served the doctor shifting, and smiling,
like some one tasting bad egg.
IT don't know about treasure" he
said. "but I'll stake my wig there's
fever here"
If the conduct of the men had been
ala rmng in the boat, it became truly
threatening when they had come
aboard. They lay about the deck
growing together in talk. The slight
est order was received with black
look, and grudgingly and carelessly
iobeyed. Even the honest hands must
have caught the infection, for there was
not one man aboard to mend another.
Mutiny, it was plain, hung over us like
a thunder-cloud.
And it was not only we of the cabin
party who perceived the danger. Long
John was hard at work going from
group to group, spending himself in
good advice, and as for example 10 man
could have shown better. He fairly
outstripped himself in willingness and
civility; be was all smiles to every one.
If an order were given, John would be
on his crutch in an instant, with the
cheeriest GAY, ay. sir!" in the world;
and when there was nothing else to
do, he kept up one song after another,
as if to conceal the discomfort of the
rest.
OF all the gloomy features of that
gloomy aftern DON, this obvious anxiety
on the part of Long John appeared the
worst.
We held council In the cabin.
Sir" said the captain, 'if ! risk an
other order, the whole ship'll come
about our ears by the run. You see,
sir, here it is. get a rough answer,
do / not? Well, if I speak back, pixies
will be going in two shakes; if don't,
Silver will see there's something un-
der that, and the games up. Now. we've
only one man to rely on"
"And who rs that?" asked the squire.
"Silvcr, sir" returned the captain
hes as anxious as you and to smother
things up. This is tiff he'd soon tall;
'em out of it if he had the chance, and
what propose to do is to give him the
chance. Let's allow the men an after
har al x..l,t- oil
fight the ship. If they none of them
go, well, then, we hold the cabin, and
God defend the right. If some go, you
mark my words, sir, Slverll bring 'enl
aboard again as mild as lambs"
1t was so decided; loaded pistols
were served out to all the sure men
Hunter. Joyce and Redruth were taken
into our confidence, and received the
news with less surprise and a better
spirit than we had looked for, and then
the captain went on deck and addressed
the crew.
"My lads" said he, "we've had hot
day, and are all tired and out of sorts
A turn ashore1l hurt nobody-the
boats are still in the water; you can
take the gigs, and as many as please
can go ashore for the afternoon. II,
fire gun half an hour before sun.
down."
I believe the silly fellows must have
thought they would break their shins
over the treasure as soon as they were
landed; for they all came out of their
sullls in a moment, and gave cheer
that started the echo in far-way hill
and sent the birds once more flying and
squalling round the anchorage.
The captain was too bright to be in
the way. He whipped out of sight in q
moment, leaving Silver 10 arrange the
party; and fancy it was as we'll be die
SO. Had he been on deck. he could nc