The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-24
guess was truth.

guess was truth.
 You take the wagon there some times with vegetables and milk and eggs, and so you met Jimmy, here, and you went fishing together, and he told you stories out of his book. l fear, John, that your father licks you be- cause you go fishing on Sunday. That was why you resolved to run away. You led Jimmy into that with you. You were afraid l might tell on you, and, besides, you were pirates now, and so you took me prisoner Marry, good sirs, 'tis not the first time pris- oner has joined pirate bandP'
 That's wonderfuIv' gasped Jean T. Lafitte Saunders.
 You won't give us away?' The elder pirates face was eager.
 "'On the contrary, I'll see that you don't get into any trouble"
 That's a good scout" ejaculated he fervently, his freckled face flushing.
 'eWe wasn't-that is, we hadn't well. you seen' began Jimmy. Maybe we'd just have camped down here and gone back tomorrow. I was afraid about taking the boat. Besides, I've only got about $6, anyhow
 Have no fear" said I. Tonight I. shall write few letters that will clear up every trouble back home and allow us to continue our journey to the Span ish main
 "Oh, will you?' cried Jimmy, much relieved. s"ThatlI be a good scout he added.
 Suddenly found myself smiling at him-I, who had smiled SD rarely these years because Helena had left me so sad.
 .sBut if promise you also must promise in return i
 Used as was already to the astound- ing changes in Jimmy from boy to buc- cancer and back again, I was now in terested at the fell scowl which he summoned to his features as soon as he felt relieved. as to the domestic sit uation Speak, feIlowi' he demanded, and. folding his. arms, presented so threatening a front that saw my man sHroshimi covertly lay hold upon carving knife.
 Why, then, my hearties," said I. st 'tis thus. I'll sign on as sea lawyer and scrivener as we'll as purser for the ship. Yes. I'll sign articles and voyage with you for weeksor month or two months or three. I'll provender the ship and will keep ye safe against any enemy we may meet, be he whom he may"
 a 'Tis we'll" said Lolonnois. Say on:'
 And in return I ask a boon. that I, too, shall be accepted as one of the brotherhood Oh, listen, I broke out impElsis ess sI have never been a pi- rate, and have never been 8 boy I have had everything in the world I wanted, and it made me awfu1ly lone some, because when you have every thing you have nothing. Especially do not want to think. Boys do not think. and I want to be boy. want to be a pirate with you. I want to seek my fortune with you"
 win ye be good brother and true pirate, demanded L.Olonnois, land will ye take the oath of blood 2,
 That wil1.'s said I.
 Brothers and good shipmates all.'' broke in Jean Lafitte in q deep voice, ..svhat say vel Shall we put him to the oath 2,
 Aye, aye. Ssr.' responded the deep chorus of seczes of full ehested voices, or at least go it seemed to sus. though mayhap twns no more than Jimmy who spoke
 swear him, then. commanded Jean Laftte- Swear him by the oath of blood.n
 We've haven't any blood,,' whis- pered L'Olonn0is aside, somewhat trou- bIed
 s.That have we. mates, said I, and the ceremony shall have full solem- nity.a
 took up my keen hunting knife and deliberately and slowly opened the side of my thumb. more to the pain of Jim my, I fancy, than to myself. as | could see by the twitch of his features
 By this blood Isswear, said I, land on the point of my blade I swear tos be a true pirate, to fight the fight of all,