The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-03-14

buried in the fog. All three seemed
sharp and cencical in figure.
So much I saw almost in a dream.
for l had not yet recovered from my
fore. And then I heard the voice Of
Captain Smollett issuing orders. The
~"Hispaniola" was laid a couple of
points nearer the wind, and now sailed
a course that would just clear the is
land on the east.
and now, men, said the captain,
when all was Sheeted home, has any
one Of you ever seen that and ahead?"
II have, sir said Silver. I've wa
tered there with a tTader I was cool
in"
The anchorage is on the south, be-
hind an islet, l fancy?" asked the cap
tain.
Yes, sir; Skeleton island they call
it. 1t We're a main place for pirates
once. and a hand we had IN board
moved all their names for it. The hill
to the nor'ard they calls the Foremost
hill: there are three hills in a row run
ming south'ard-fore, main n miz-
zen, SIR. But the main-that's the big
'un, with the cloud on it-they usually
calls the Spy-glass, by reason of a look
out they kept when they was in the
anchorage cleaning; for it's there they
cleaned their ships, sir, asking your
pardon"
Il have a chart here" says Captain
Smollett. See if that's the place"
Long Johns eyes burned in his head
as he took the chart; but. by the fresh
look Of the paper, I knew he was
doomed to disappointment. This was
not the map we fouEd in Billy Bones
chest, but an accurate copy, complete
in all things-names, n heights, and
soundings-with the single exception
80 Tho sod -,l ~ ~, 49, a
Sharp as must have been his annoy
ance, Silver had the strength of mind
to hide 1t.
Yes, sir" said he, this is the spot,
to be sure; n very prettily drawed
out. Who might have done that, I
wonder? The pirates were too igno-
rant, J. reckon. Ay, here it is: Capt.
Kidd's anchorage'-just the name my
shipmate called 1t. There's a strong
away nor'ard up the west coast. Right
o was, SIR" says he, ito haul your
wind and keep the weather Of the
island. Leastways, if such was your
intention as to enter and careen, and
there amt no better place for that in
these waters
Thank you. my man." says Capt.
Smollett. TN ask you, later on, to
give us a help. You may CO."
I was surprised at the DIN with
which John avowed his knowledge Of
the island; and I own ! was half fright
ened then l saw him drawing nearer
to myself. He did not know, to be sure.
that 1 had overheard his council from
the apple barrel, and yet I had, by this
time, taken such a horror Of his cruelty
duplicity and power, that 1 could
scarce conceal a shudder when he laid
his hand upon my arm.
"Ah," says he; "this here is a sweet
spot, this island-a sweet spot for q
lad to get ashore on. You'll battle, and
you'll climb trees, and you'll hunt
goats, o Will: and you'll get aloft
on them hills like a goat yourself
Why, it makes me young again. T
was going to forget my timber leg, I
was. It's a pleasant thing to be young
and have ten toes, and you may lay
to that. When you want to go a bit
of exploring, you just ask old John, and
he'll put up a. snack for you to take
along"
And clapping me in the f%riendliest
way upon the shoulder, he hobbled off
forward and went below.
Captain Smollett, the squire and DR..
Livesey We're talking together on the
quarterback; and, anxious as l was to
tell them my story, l burst not inter-
them openly. While I was still
casting about in my thoughts to find
some probable excuse, DR. Livesey
called me to his side. He had left his
pipe below, and, being a slave to tobac-
co. had meant that I should fetch it;
u as soon as I was near enough to
speak n not be overheard I broke out
immediately: Doctor, let me speak.
Get the captain and squire down to-
the cabin and then make some pretext
to send for me. I have terrible news"
h doctor changed countenance a
little, but next moment he was master
of himself.
THANK you, jim" said he, quite
loudly, that was all I wanted to
know" as If he had asked me a ques-
ton.
And with that he turned on his heel
and rejoined the other two. They
spoke together for a little, and though
none Of them started, or raised his
voice, or so much as whistled, it was
plain enough hat DR.. Livesey had
communicated my request; for the next
thing that I heard was the captain CIV
ing an order to Job Anderson, and all
hands were piped on deck.
MY lads" said Captain S7nollett,
i've Il word to say to you. This land
that we have sighted Is the place we
have been sailing to. Mr.. Trelawney,
being a very o~pen-handed gentleman,
as we all know, nae just asked me a
word or two, N as l was able to tell
him that every man On board had done
his duty, allow and aloft, as 1 never ask
to see it done better, why, he and I anG
the doctor are going below to the cabin
to drink you health and luck, and
you'll have grog served out for you to
drink u health and luck. I'll tell you
what I think of this: I think 1t hand
some. And # O think as 1 do you'll
give a good sea cheer for the gentle
maj that does it,"
The cheer followed-that was a mat
ter of course; but it rang out so full
and hearty hat l confess I could hard
ly believe these same men were plot
ting for our blood.
Zone more cheer for Captain Smol-