Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1923-11-23
PART w
The Stockade

man you might have been sitting il
your galley. It's your own doing
You're either my ships cook-ant
then you were treated handsome
or Cap'n Silver, a common mutineel
and pirate, and then you can &c
hang!"
We'll, well, cap'n," returned the
sea-cook, sitting down as he was bid
den on the sand, you'll have to
give me a 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 a happy family,
in manner of speaking"
If you have anything to say, my
man, better say it," returned the cap
tain.
Right you are, Cap'n Smollett, 4"
replied Silver. 'Dooty is dooty, to
be sure. Well now, you look here,
that was a good lay of yours last
night. l don't deny it was a good
lay. Some of you pretty handy with
a handspike- end. And I'll not deny
neither but what some of my people
was shook-maybe all was shook;
maybe l was shook myself; maybe
that's why I'm here for terms. But
you mark me, cap'n, it won't do
twice, by thunder; We'll have to
do sentry go, and ease off a point
or so on the rum. Maybe you think
we were all a sheet in the winds
eye. But I'll tell you / was sober;
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 l got round to him, not he
"Well T" says Captain Smollett,
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, l began to have an inkling. Ben
Gums last words came back to my |
mind. l began to suppose that he
had paid the buccaneers a visit while |
they all lay drunk together round |
their fire, and 1 reckoned up with
glee that we had only fourteen
enemies to deal with.
"Well, here it is" said Silver. 1--WE
want that treasure, and We'll have
it - that's our point! You would
Just as soon save your lives, reckon;
and that's yours. You have the
chart, haven't yOu?"
That's as may be-" replied the
captain.
ooh, well, you have, 1 know that, "
returned Long John. You needn't
be so husky with man; there amt
a particle of service in that, and you
may lay to it. What l 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
exactly what you meant to do, and q
we don't care; for now, you see, you ;
can't do it,"
And the captain looked at him
and proceeded to fill pipe.
''If Abe Gray" Silver broke out. J
"Avast there!" cried Mr.. Smollett. {
Gray told me nothing, and l asked
him nothing; and what's more
would see you and him and this t
whole island blown clean out of the 1
water into blazes first. So there's
my mind for you, my man, on that. " t
This little whit of temper seemed r
to cool Silver down. He had been
nettled before, but now he
pulled himself together. e
Like enough" said he. 81 would
set no limits to what gentlemen f
might consider ship-shape, or might
not, as the case were. And, seem t
IS how you are about to take pipe, n
,ap'n, I'll make so free as to do like y
wise" r
And he filled a pipe and lighted
t: and the two men sat silently C
smoking for quite awhile, now look b
ng each other in the face. now stop
,ing their tobacco now leaning for h
ward to spit. 1t was as good as the y
,lay to see them. Il
"Now," resumed Silver, there it Il
s. You give us the chart to get b
he treasure by, and drop shooting Ia
,oor seamen, and slowing of their a.
reads in while asleep. You do that 81
nd we'll offer you a choice. Either II
.ou come aboard along with us, once u
he treasure is shipped, and then I'll Oh
i've you my affy-davy, upon my word tC
f honor, to clap you somewhere safe M
shore. Or, if that amt your fancy, in
ONE of my hands, being rough, and a
aving old scores, on account of haz-
ng, then you can stay here, You can. W
Ven divide stores with you, man for cl
ian; and I'll give you my afry-davy, fe
6 before to speak the first ship l in
light. and send 'em here to pick you dI
D. Now you'll own that's talking. al
nd I hope - raising his voice -, til
that all hands in this here block W
ouse will overhaul my words, for or
hat is spoke to one is spoke to all. tn
Captain Smollett rose from his ca
eat and knocked out the ashes OF al
is pipe in the palm of his left hand.
SIS that all?" he asked.
Every last word, by thunder" 81
nswered John. Refuse that and CT
ou've seen the last of me but mus
ct -balls." IN
every good" said the captain.
Now you'll hear me. If you'll come 81
D one by one, unarmed, I'll engage
J clap you in irons, and to take you
ONE to a fair trial in England. If wi
1u won't, my name is Alexander
nollett, I've flown my sovereign's tn
,lors, and I'll see you all to Davy al,
,nes. You can't find the treasure. mi
GU can't sail the ship-there's not an
man among you fit to sail the ship. in
on can't fight us-Gray, there, got wi
vay from five of you. Your ships fro
Eocfar CfIuar- vOT1fra