Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-26

casting about in my thoughts to find
some probable excuse, DR.. Iivesey
called me to his side. He had left his
co, had meant that I should fetch it;
but as soon a. 1 was near enough to
speak and not be overheard L broke out
Immediately: Doctor, let me speak.
Get the captain and squire down to
the cabin and then make some pretensc
to send for me. / have terrible news"
The doctor changed countenance
little, but next moment he was master
OF himself.
'"Thanls you, JIM" said he, quite
loudly, that was all 1 wanted to
know" as If he had asked me n qucs-
ton.
And with that he turned on his heel
and rejoined the other two. They
spoke together for little, and though
none of them started, or raised his
voice, or so much as whistled. it was
plain enough that DR.. Livesey had COM
municated my request; for tho next
thing that heard was the captain Civ
ing an order to job Anderson, and all
hands were piped on deck.
MY lads" said Capt. Smollett, i've
a word to say to you. This land that
we have sighted is the place we have
been sailing to. Mr.. Trelawney, being
q very open-handed gentleman, as we
all know, has just asked ME word or
two, and as l was able 10 tell him that
every man on board had done his duty,
allow and aloft, ns l pever al, to see it
done better, why, he and 1 and the
doctor are going below to the cabin to
drink your health and luck, and you'll
have grog served out for you to drink
our health and luck. I'll tell you what
/ think of this: think it handsome.
And If you think as 1 do you'll give
good sea cheer for the gentleman that
does it."
The cheer followed--that was a mat
ter Of course; but it rang out SO full
and hearty that l confess could hard
ly believe these same men were plot
ting for our blood.
"Onc more cheer for Cap'n Smollett,"
cried Long John, when the first had
subsidized.
And this also was given with will.
On the top of that the three gentle
men went below. and not long after
word was sent forward that Jim
Hawkins was wanted In the cabin.
] found them all three seated round
the table, bottle of Spanish wine and
some raisins before them, and the doc
tor smoking away, with his wig on his
lap, and that, knew, was a sign that he
was agitated. The stern window was
open, for it was warm night, and you
could see the moon shining behind on
the ships wake.
"Now, Hawkins" said the squire,
you have something to say. Speak
np."
/ did as was bid, and, as short as
could make it, told the whole details
Of Silver's conversation. Nobody in
terrupted me till it was done, nor did
any one Of the three make so much as
movement, but they kept their eyes
hpon my face from first to last.
"Jim," said DR.. Livesey, take
seat."
And they made me sitdown at table
beside them, poured me out glass of
wine. filled my hands with raisins,
and all three, one afer the other, and
each with q bow, drank my good health,
and their service to me, for my luck and
courage.
"Now. captain" said the squire, "you
were right and l was wrong. I own
myself an ass, and I await your or
ders."
mo more an ass than I, SIR" re-
~
crew that meant to mutiny but what
showed signs before, for amy man that
had an eye in his head to see the mis-
chief and take steps accordingly. But
this crew." he added, "beats me-"
Captain" said the doctor, with
your permission, that's Silver. very
remarkable man."
He'd look remarkably well from
yard-arm, sir" returned the captain.
But this is talk; this don't lead to any
thing 1 see three or four points, and
with Mr.. Trelawney's permission I'll
name them"
you, sir. are the captain. It Is for
you to speak," said Mr.. Trelawney,
grandly.
"First point" began Mr.. smollett.
I'VE must go on, because we can't turn
back. II give the word to turn about
they would rise at once. Second point,
we have time before us--at least until
this treasures found. Third point,
there are faithful hands Now, sir, it's
got to come to blows, sooner or later;
and what propose is to take time by
the forelock, as the saying is, and come
to blows some fine day when they least
expect it. We can count, i take it,
on your own home servants, Mr.. Ire
lawney?"
AS upon myself" declared the
squire.
Three" reckoned the captain; "our-
selves make seven, counting Hawkins
here. Now about the honest hands?"
Most likely Trelawney's own men,"
said the doctor; those he picked up for
himself before he lit on Silver"
NAY" replied the squire. Hands
was one Of mine"
81 did think I could have trusted
Hands," added the captain.
and to think that they're all Eng
Dishmen!" broke out the squire. "Sir,
] could find it in my heart to blow the
ship up"
"Well, gentlemen" said the captain,