Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24
CHAPTER xxx.
THE BLACK SPOT AGA1

THE BLACK SPOT AGAIN..
The council of the buccaneers had
lasted some time, when one of them
reentered the house, and with a repeti
ton of the same salute. which had in
my eyes an ironical air, begged for
moments loan of the torch. Silver
briefly agreed; and this emissary re-
tired again, leaving us together in the
dark.
There's a breeze coming, JIM" said
Silver, who had by this time adopted
uuite q friendly and familiar tone.
! turned TO the loop-hole nearest me
and looked ont. The embers of the
great fire had so far burned themselves
out and now glowed so low and duskv
that I understood why these conspir-
ators desired a torch. About half way
down the slope to the stoclSade they
were collected in group; one held the
light; another was on his knees in their
midst, and I saw the blade of an open
knife shine in his hand with varying
colors in the moon and torchlight. The
rest were all somewhat STOPPING, as
though watching the 1paneuvers of this
last I could just make out that he
had book as well as q knife in his
hand, and was still wondering how
anything so homogeneous had come in
their possession, when the kneeling fig
ure rose once more to his feet and the
whole party began to move together to-
ward the house.
Here they come" said !, and re
turned to my former position, for it
seemed beneath my dignity that they
should find me watching them.
"Well, let 'em come, lad-let 'em
come" said Silver, cheerily. I've still
q shot in my locker"
The door opened and the five men,
standing huddled together just inside.
pushed one of their number forward.
In any other circumstances it would
have been comical to see his slow adj
vances, hesitating as he set down each
foot, but holding his closed right hand
in front of him.
"Step up, lad" cried Silver. II won.
eat you. Hand 1t over, lubber. know
the rules, do; won't hurt depyta-
ton
Thus encouraged the buccaneer
stepped forth more briskly and, having
passed something to Silver, from hand
TO hand, slipped yet more smartly back
again to his companions.
The sea cook looked al what had been
given him.
THE black spot! I thought So" he
observed. where might you have got
the paper? Why, hillo! look here, now;
this amt lucky! You've gone and cut
%
Bible?"
"Ah, there" said Morgan-"there
Wot did l say? No goodll come O. that,
said"
well, you've about fixed it now,
among you" continued Silver. you'll
all swing now, ! reckon. What soft
headed lubber had Bible?"
at was Dick" said one.
"Dick, was it? Then Dick can get TO
prayers" said Silver. Hes seen his
slice of luck, has Dick, and you may lay
TO that"
But here the long man with the yell
low eyes struck in.
Delay that talk, John Silver" he
said. This crew has tipped you the
black spot in full council, as in dooty
bound; just you turn il over as in dooty
bound, and see what's wrote there.
Then you can talk"
"Thanky, George" replied the sea
cook. you always was brisk for bust
ness, and has the rules by heart, George,
MS I'm pleased to see. Well, what is It,
anyway? All! Deposed' it, is
tt2 Very pretty wrote, to be sure; like
print, I swear. Your hand O. write,
George? Why, you was gettin quite a
leadin' man In this here crew. You'll
be cap'n next, shouldn't wonder. Just
oblge me with that torch again, will
you? This pipe don't draw"
Come, now" said George, you don't
fool this crew no more. You're funny
man, by your account; but you're over
now. and you'll maybe step down Off
that barrel and help vote"
II thought you said you knowed the
rules" returned Silver, contemptuous-
ly. "Leastways, If you don't, do, and
wait here-and I'm still your capn,
mindful you outs with your griev-
snces and Ireply; In the meantime your
black spot amt worth biscuit. After
that Wen see"
"Oh." replied George, you don't be
under no kind of apprehension; we're
all square, we are. First, you've made
a hash of this cruise--you'll be n bold
man to say no to that. Second, you lei
the enemy out o this here trap for moth.
ing. Why did they want outl Idunno;
but it's pretty plain they wanted IT.
Third, you wouldn't let us 60 at them
upon the march. Oh, we see through
you, John Silver; you want to play
booty, that's what's wrong with you
And then, fourth, there's this here boy
as that all?" asked Silver, quietly.
Enough, too" retorted George
well all swing and sun dry for you,
bungling."
"Well, now, look here, I'll answer
these four p'ints; one after another II
answer 'em. ! made a hash O. thil
cruise, did I? Well, now, you all know
what 1 wanted; and you all know, Il
that had been done, that we'd "a beer
aboard the 'Hispaniola' this night al
ever was, every man of us alive, and fit
and full of good plum-duff, and TIT
treasure In the hold OF her, by thunder
Well, who crossed me? Who forced my
hand, as with the lawful cap'n? Wht
tipped me the black spot the day WI
landed and began this dancer All, it,
mighty fine dance-Im with 20,