The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-04-18
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galley. It's your own doing. You're
either my ships cook-and then you
were treated hanlsome-or Cap'n Sill
Yer, a common mutineer and pirate,
and then you can go hang!"
We'll, We'll, capn," returned the sea-
cook. sitting down as he was hidden on
the sand. you'll have TO give me hand
up again, that's all. A sweet, pretty
place you have of it here. All. there's
Jim. The top OF the morning to you,
Jim. Doctor, here's my service. Why,
there you all are together like happy
family, i'll q manner Of speaking"
IF you have anything to say, my
man, better say it, said the captain.
Right you are. Cap'n smollett," re-
piled Silver. "Dooty is dooty, to be
sure. Well, now, you look here, that
was q good lay of yours last night.
don't deny it was q good lay. Some of
you pretty handy with a handspike
end. And I'll not deny either, but
what some of my people was shook
maybe all was shook; maybe l was
shook myself. But YOU mark me, capn,
1t WORT do twice, by thunder! Well
have tc do sentry GO, and ease off a
point or SO or the rum. Maybe you
think we We're all a sheet in the wind
eye. But I'll tell you I was sober; I
was on'y dog-tired; and if I'd awoke a
second sooner I'd a caught you at the
act, ! would. He wasn't dead when
got round to him. not he"
"Well?" says Captain Smcllett, as
cool as can be.
All that Silver said was a riddle to
him, but you would never have guessed
it from his tone. AS for me, I began to
nave an inltling. Ben Gums last words
came back to my mind. / began to
hot l,o1 mold hn ~
GERS visit while they all lay drunk
together around their fire, and I reck-
oned up with glee that we had only
IA enemies to deal with.
well, here it is said Silver. I'VE
want that treasure, and We'll have it
that's our. point! You would just as
soon save your lives. 1 reckon; and
that's yours. You have a chart, haven't
you?"
That's as may be-" replied the cap
tain.
oh welx. you have, 1 know that
returned Ling John. You needn't be
so husky with a man; there amt a par
ticle Of service in that, and you may
lay to it. What I mean is, we want
your chart. Now, ! never meant you
no HARM myself"
THAT won't do with me, my man."
interrupted the captain. I'VE know eN-
actly what you meant to do, and we
don't care; for now, you see, you can't
do it,
And the captain looked at him calm
ly. and proceeded to fill his pipe
IF Abe Gray Silver broke out.
"Avant there!' cried Mr.. Smollett.
Gray told me nothing. and l asked him
nothing; and what's more, would see
you and him and this whole island
blown clean out of the water into blaZes
first. So there's my mind for you, my
man, on that
This little Whit of temper seemed to
cool silver down. He had been grow
ing nettled before, but now he pulled
himself together.
Like enough" said he. II would
see no limits to what gentlemen might
consider ship shape, or might not. as
the case We're. And, secin' as how you
are about to take q pipe, cap'n III make
so free as to do likewise"
And he filled pipe and lighted it,
and the two men sat silently smok-
ing for quite awhile, now looking each
other in the face. now stopping their
tobacco. now leaning forward to spit.
1t was as good as the play to see
them.
Now" resumed Silver, here 1t is.
You give US the chart to get the
treasure by and drop shooting poor
seamen and slowing in their heads while
asleep. You do that. and We'll offer you
a choice. Either you come along
aboard Of us. once the treasure shipped,
and then Til give you my affydavy,
upon nv word of honor, to clap you
Somewhere's safe ashore. Or, If that
amt your fancy, some of my hands,
being rough, and having old scores on
account Of hazing, then you can stay
here. YOU can. Wen divide stores with
you, man for mans and I'll give my
affydavy. as before, to speak the first
ship I sight, and send 'em here to pick
you up. Now, you'll own that's talk
ing. Handsomer you couldn't look to
get, not you. And l hope raisirs
his voice that all hands in this here
blockhouse will overhaul my words, fol-
what is spoke to one is spoke to all
Captain Smollett rose from his seat
and knocked out the ashes from his
pipe in the palm of his left hand.
Is that am" he asked.
Every last word. by thunder an
swered John. Refuse that, and you've
seen the last of me but musket- bal lis >
Very WELL. said the captain Nov
you'll hear me. il you'll come up one
by one, unarmed, I'll engage to clar
you all in irons, and take you home tC
fair trial in England. If, you won't
my name is Alexander. Smollett. I've
flown my sovereisns colors. and IL
see you all to Davy Jones. You can't
find the treasure. You can't sail the
ship-there's not a man among you fl,
to sail the ship. You can't fight us
Gray, there, got away from five Of you
Your ships in irons, Master Silver:
you're on a leeshore, and so you'll find
I stand here and tell you SO, and they're
the last good words you'll get from me;
for. in the name Of Heaven, I'll put a
bullet in your back when next l meet
you. Tramp, my lad. Bundle out OF
this, please. hand over hand and
double quick
Silver's face was a picture; his eyes
started in mis- head with wrath He
shook the fire out of his pipe.
"Give. me a hand up!" he cried.