Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24
CHAPTER xxx.
nN pAR(lT.E

he had fallen against the doorpost by
a clear, hearty voice hailing us from the
margin of the wood:
"Block-house, ahoyl"i cried. "Here's
the doctor"
And the doctor IL was. Although I
was glad to hear the sound, yet my
gladness was not without admixture.
I remembered with confusion my in
subordinate and stealthy conduct; and
when I saw where IL had brought me-
among what companions and surround
ed by what dangers-I felt ashamed to
look him in the face.
He must have risen In the dark, for
the day had hardly come; and when I
ran to loop-hole and looked out saw
him standing, like Silver once before,
up to the mid-leg in creeping vapor.
"You, doctor! Top o the morning to
you. sir!" cried Silver, broad awake and
beaming with good nature In moment.
bright and early, to be sure, and It's
the early bird, as the saying goes, that
gets the rations. George, shake up your
timbers, son, and help DR.. Livesey over
the ships side. All a-dooin' well, your
patients was-all we'll and merry"
So he battered on, standing on the
hill top, with his crutch under his ell
bow and one hand upon the side of the
log house-quite the old John in voice,
manner and expression.
We've quite surprise for you, too,
SIR" he continued. We've little
stranger here-he! he! A moo boarder
and lodger, sir, and looking fit and taut
as fiddle; slep' like supercargo, he
did. right alongside Of Johnston to
stem we was all night"
Dr. Livesey was by this time across
the stockade and pretty near the cook,
and l could hear the alteration in his
voice as he said:
Not Jim?'
"The very same Jim as ever was" says
Silver.
The doctor stopped outright, although
he did not speak, and II was some sec
onds before he seemed able to move on.
"Well, WE'LL" he said at last, duty
first and pleasure afterward, as you
might have said yourself, Silver. Let
us overhaul these patients Of yours"
A moment afterward he had entered
|
nod to me, proceeded with his work
among the sick. He seemed to me I'm
der no apprehension, though he must
have known that his life among these
treacherous demons depended on hair,
and he ratified on to his patients as ii
he were paying an ordinary profess
sonal visit in quiet English family.
His manner, I suppose, reacted on the
men, for they behaved to him as If
nothing occurred-as if he were still
ships doctor and they still faithful
hands before the mast.
You're doing we'll, my FRIEND" he
said to the fellow with the bandaged
head, land If ever any person had
close shave, it was you; your head must
be as hard as iro] Well, George, how
goes it? You're pretty color, certain
ly; why, your liver, man, is upside
down. Did you take that medicine
Did he take that medicine, men?"
"Ay, ay, sir, he took it, sure enough"
returned Morgan.
because, you sec, since am mutt
ncers' doctor, or prison doctor as pre-
fer to call it," said DR.. Iivesey. in his
pleasantest way, 81 make it q point OF
honor not to lose man for King
George God bless himD and the gal
lows"
The rogues looked at each other, bur
swallowed the home thrust in silence
"Dick don't feel well, SIR" said one.
Don't hep" replied the doctor. "Well
step up here, Dick. and let me see your
tongue. No, I should be surprised IL
he did; the mans tongue is fit to
Brighten the French. Another fever"
"Ah, there" said Morgan, "thatcomed
bf sp'iling Bibles"
THAT comed-as yos call it-of be-
Ing arrant asses" retorted the doctor,
land not having sense enough to know
honest air from poison, and the dry
land from a vile, pestiferous slough.
think it most probable-though, of
course, it's only an opinion-that you'll
bill have the deuce to pay before you
yet that malaria out OF your systems.
lamp in bog, would you? Silver, I'm
surprised at you. You're less Of fool
than many, take you all round; but you
don't appear to me to have the rudi-
ments of notion Of the rules of health.
WE'LL" he added, after he had dosed
them round, and they had taken his
prescriptions, with really laughable hui
mility. more like charity school chill
dren than blood-guiltY mutineers and
pirates-''well, that's done for to-day.
And now I should wish to have talk
with that boy, please"
And he nodded his head In my direc-
ton carelessly.
George Merry was at the door, spit
ting and spluttering over some bad.
tasted medicine; but at the first word OF
the doctors proposal he swung round
with deep flush and cried: mol" and
swore.
Silver struck the barrel with his open
hand.
"Si-lencel" he roared, and looked
about him positively like q lion. doc
tor" he went on. In his usual tones
II was a-thinking Of that, knowing as
how you had fancy for the boy. We're
all humbly grateful for your kindness
and, as you see, puts faith in you, ant
takes the drugs down like that much
grog. And take it I've found way
ASH suit all. Hawkins, will you give me
your word Of honor as young gentle
man, for young gentleman you are. al
though poor born-your word of honol
not to slip your cable2"
readily gave the pledge required.