Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-02-06
L RE A SU II F.
ISLAND : =: :: :::::::

He babe me go and leave the door
wide open. None of your key-holes
for me, sonny he said; and left
them together, and retired into the bar.
For a long time, though l certainly
did my best to listen. l could hear
nothing but low Cabling; but at
last the voices began to grow higher,
and | could pick up a word or two,
mostly oaths. from the captain.
No. no, no, no: and an end OF IT,
he cried once. And again: IF 1T comes
to swinging, swing all, say 1. -
Then all of a sudden there was a
tremendous explosion of oaths and
other notes.-the chair and table went
over in a lump, a clash of steel fol-
lowed, and then a cry of pain, and the
next instant / saw Black Dog in full
flight and the captain hotly pursuing.
both with drawn cutla.sses, and the
former streaming blood from the left
shoulder. Just at the door the captain
aimed at the fugitive one last tremen-
dous cut, which would certainly have
split him to the chin had 1T not been
intercepted by our big signboard of
Admiral l2enbow You may see the
notch ON the lower side of the frame
to this day.
That blow was the last of the battle.
spite of his wound, showed a wonder-
full clean pair of heels, and disap-
peared over the edge of the hill in half
n minute. The captain, for bis part
stood staring at the signboard like a
bewildered man. Then he passed his
hand over his eyes several times, and
at last turned back into the house.
Jim says he rum" and as he
spoke. he reeled little, and caught
himself with one hand against the
wall.
Are you hurt?" cried I.
"Rum." he repeated. II must get
away from here. Rum. RUM"
ran to fetch it; but j was quite un-
steadled by all that had fallen out. and
broke one glass and fouled the tap,
and while l was still getting in my
own way, heard a loud fall in the par
Tor, and, running in, beheld the captain
lying full length upon the floor AT the
same instant my mother. alarmed by
the cries and fighting, came running
down stairs to help me. Between us we
raised his head. He was breathing very
loud and hard; but his eyes We're closed,
and his face horrible color.
Dear, deary me" cried my mother.
what a disgrace upon the house. And
your poor father sick!"
In the meantime we had no idea what
to do to help the captain, nor any
death hurt in the scutfie with the
stranger. | got the rum, to be sure,
and tried to put 1t down his throat;
but his teeth We're tightly shut, and
his jaws as strong as iron. 1t was a
happy relief for US when the door
opened and DIR. Livesey came in, on
his visit to my father
we do? Where is he wounded?"
wounded j? A flddlestick's end!"
said the DOCTOR No more wounded
than you or /. The man has had a
stroke, as / warned him. Now. Mrs.
Hawkins, Just you run UP stairs to
your husband, and tell him, If possible,
nothing about 1t. For my part, mus.
worthless life; and Jim here will get
me a basin.
When i got back with the basin. the
doctor had already ripped up the cap
tain's sleeve, aud exposed his great
sinewy arm. 1T was tattooed in several
places Here's luck "A fair wind, ;"
and BILLY Bones his fancy" We're very
forearm; and up near the shoulder
there was a sketch of q gallows and a
man hanging from it-done. as l
thought, with great spirit.
Prophetic" said the doctor, touch
ing this picture with his finger. And
now, Master Billy Bones. If that be
your name, We'll have a look at the
color of your blood. "Jin. he said,
ARE you afraid of blood?"
NO, SIR" said i.
well, then" said he, you hold the
BASIN" and with that he took his Ian
Get and opened vein.
A great deal of blood was taken be-
fore the captain opened his eyes and
looked mistily about him. First he
recognized the doctor with an unmis
taxable frown; then his GLANCE fell up
ON me. and he looked relieved. But
suddenly his color changed. and he
tried to raise himself, crying:
where's Black Dos?"
There is no Black Dog here" said
the doctor, except what you have on
your own back You have been drink
ing rum; You have had stroke pre-
cisely us | told you; and / have just
very much against my own will,
dragged you headforemost out OF the
grave. Now, MIR. Bones
That's not my name" he inter-
rupted
IT'S the name of a buccaneer of my
acquaintance; and i call you by it for
the sake of shortness, and what I have
to say to you is this: one glass of rum
won't Kill you, but IL you take one
you'll take another and another, and
| stake my wig il you don't break off
short, you'll dle-dO you understand
that?-d die. and go to your own pace,
like the man I'm the bible. Come. now
make an effort. I'll help you TO your
bed for once"
Between us. With much trouble we
managed to hoist him up stairs, and
laid him ON his bed. where his head
fell! back on the pillow as If he We're
almost fainting.
NOW, mind YOU" said the doctor, II
clear my conscience-the name OF rum
for You is death"
And with that he went off to see my
father, taking me with him by the
arm.
This Is nothing" he said, as soon as
he had closed the door. Il have drawn
blood enough TO keep him quiet
awhile he should lie for a week where
he is-that is the best thing for him
and you; but another stroke would set
tie him"
CHAPTER III.
THE BLACK SPOT.
About noon i stopped at the cap
tain's door with some cooling drinks
and medicines. He was lying very