Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-05-31
CHAPTER xxx.

80 SONAASAh "a ~ 'S
tasted some time, When one of them re-
entered the house. n with a repeti-
tion OF the same salute, which had In
my eyes an ironical air, begged for a
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
quite a friendly and familiar n
I turned to h loophole nearest me
and looked out. The embers OF the
great fire had SO. far burned themselves
out and now glowed 80 low and dusky
that l understood why these conspir-
ators desired a torch. About half way
down the slope OF the stockade they
were collected In q group one held the
light; another was on his knees In their
midst. and / 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 maneuvers OF this
last. l could just make out that he
had a book as we'll as a knife in his
hand, and was still wondering how
anything SO incongruous 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 I re-
turned to my former position, for IL
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
a shot in my locker"
The door opened and the five men,
standing huddled together just inside,
pushed one OF their number forward. In
nnV nthar nirpnYnQfn nnaQ ~ would ha va
been comical to see his slow advances.
hesitating as he set down each foot,
but holding his closed right hand In
front OF him.
"Step up, lad" cried Silver. IT won't
eat you. Hand 1t over, lubber. / know
the rules, l do; l won't hurt a 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 at what had
been given him.
The black spot! / thought So" he
observed. Where might you have got
the paper? Why, hillo! look here, now;
this amt lucky! You've one and cut
bible?"
"Ah, there" said Morgan-"there.
Wot did l say? No goodll come o. that,
/ said"
We'll, you've about fixed 1t now,
among you" continued Silver. You'll
all swing now, l reckon. What soft
headed lubber had n bible?"
1T was Dick" said one.
"Dick, was H. ? Then Dick n get to
prayers" said silver. He's 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. THE crew has tipped you the
black spot in full council, as In dooty
bound; just you turn II over, as in
dooty bound, and see whats wrote
there. Then o can talk"
"Thanky, George" replied the sea
cook. You always was brisk for bust
ness, and has the rules by heart,
George, as I'm pleased to see. Well,
what is It. anyway? All! 'Deposed'-
that's 1t, is 1t? Very pretty wrote. to
be sure; like print, / swear. Your ha<l
tin quite a leadin' man in this here
You'll be cap'n next, l shouldn't
wonder. Just oblige me with that torch
will you? This pipe don draw"
Come, now" said George, you don't
fool this crew no more. You're a funny
man, by your account; but you're owe
now, and you'll maybe step down off
that barrel and help vote"
II thought you sale you knowed the
returned Silver, contemptuous-
~. "~Leastaways, If you don't, / do, and
l wait here-and I'm still your cap'n,
mindful you outs with your griev-
ances and / reply; In the meantime
black spot amt worth a biscuit.
that We'll 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'n be n bold
to say no to that. Second, you let
enemy out OF his here trap for
nothing. Why did they want out? /
dunno; but it's pretty plain they want
ed It. Third, you wouldn't let us go 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
us tina an?" asked Silver, quietly.
Enough, too" retorted George.
Wen all swing and sun dry for your
o%ungling."
well, now, look here. I'll answer
four p'ints; n after another I'll
answer 'em. l made a hash O. this
did /? Well, now, you all know
what / wanted; and o all know, If
hat had been done, that we'd "a been
hoard the 'Hispaniola' this night as
,ver was, every man Of us alive, and
II, and full OF good plum-duff, and the
reasure In the hold OF her, by thunder!
Well, Who crossed me? Who forced my
as with the lawful cap'n? Who
tipped me the black spot the day we
anded and began this dance? All, it's
mighty fine dance-I'm with you
here-and looks mighty like n horn
,ipe In a ropes end at Execution Dock
" London town, II does. But who lone
{? Why, 1t was Anderson and Hands,
nd you, George Merry! And you're the
lst above board Of that same meddling
and you have the Davy Jones
to up n stand for cap'n
yer me-you, that sunk the lot OF us!
BY the powers! but this tops the stiff
st yarn TO nothing"
Silver paused and / could see by the
aces of George and his companions
hat these words had not been said in
ain.
That's for number one" cried the
ccused, wiping the sweat from his
row, for he had been talking with
Yehemence that shook the house.
Why, l give you my word, I'm sick to
peak to you. You've neither sense nor
lemory, and 1 leave 1t to fancy where
our mother was hat let you come to
ca. Sea! Gentlemen o. fortune! 1
eckon tailors is your trade"
U3rECf1