Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-01-04
PART VI

So saying he stepped back a littl
way till he was out OF ear-shot, an
there sat down upon a tree-stumi
and began to whistle, spinning rounl
now and then upon his seat so as t
command a sight sometimes of m
and the doctor, and sometimes of hi
unruly ruffians as they went to ans
fro in the sand, between the fire
which they were busy reminding
and the house, from which the
brought forth pork and bread t
make the breakfast.
$50, Jim," said the doctor, sadly
there you are. AS you have brewed
so shall you drink, my boy. HeaveI
knows l cannot find 1t in my hear
to blame you; but this much l viii
say, be it kind or unkind, when Cap
tain Smollett was well you dared moi
have gone off, and when he was i'll
and couldn't help it, by George, il
was downright cowardly."
l will own that l here began to
weep. Doctor" l said, "you might
spare me- l have blamed myself
enough; my life's forfeit any way
and / should have been dead now II
Silver hadn't stood for me; and, doc
tor, believe this, can die-and
dare say l deserve it-but what
fear is torture. If they come to tor
ture me"
"Jim," the doctor interrupted, and
his voice was quite changed, Jim,
can't have this. Whip over, and we
will run for it."
Doctor" said 1, 81 passed my
word"
81 know, I know" he cried. Eve
can't help that, Jim, now. I'll take
it on my shoulders, holus bolus,
blame and shame, my boy; but stay
here, 1 cannot let you. Jump! One
jump and you're out, and We'll run
for it like antelopes."
mo-" I replied, "you know right
well you wouldn't do the thing your
self; neither you, nor squire, nor
captain, and no more will l. Silver
trusted me; passed my word, and
back l go. But, doctor, you did not
let me finish. If they come to tor
ture me, l might let slip word of
where the ship is, for I got the ship,
part by luck and part by risking, and
she lies in North Inlet, on the south
ern beach, and just below high water.
At half tide she must be high and
dry"
"The ship!" exclaimed the doctor.
Rapidly described to him my ad-
ventures, and he heard me out in
silence.
There Is a kind of fate in this,
he observed, when l had done. CIV
cry step it's you that saves our lives,
and do you suppose by any chance
that we are going to let you lose
yours? That would be a, poor re-
turn, my boy. You found out the
plot; you found Ben Gunn-the best
deed that you ever did, or will do,
though you live to ninety. oh, by
Jupiter! and talking of Ben Gum,
why, this is the mischief in person.
Silveri" he cried, SILVER! I'll give
you piece of advice" he continued,
as the cook drew near again; don't
you be in any great hurry after that
treasure"
''Why, sir, l do my possible, which
that amt" said Silver. 81 can only,
asking your pardon, save my life
and the boys by seeking that trea-
sure: and you may lay to that"
"Well, Silver" replied the doc
tor, eff that is so, I'll go one step
farther; look out for squalls when
you find It'll"
"sir," said Silver, "as between
man and man, that's too much and
too little. What you're after, why
you left the block-house, why you
given me that chart, / don't know,
now, do I? and yet 1 done your bid
ding with my eyes shut and never a
word of hope! But no, this here's
too much. If you won't tell me what
you mean plain out, just say so, and
I'll leave the helm"
mo-" said the doctor, musingly,
"Pve no right to say more; it's not
my secret, you see, Silver, or, 1 give
you my word, I'd tell it to you. But
I'll go as far with you as ] dare go,
and step beyond, for I'll have my
wig sorted by the captain, or I'm
mistaken! And first, I'll give you a
bit of hope; Silver, If we both get
alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll do my
best to save you, short of perjury"
Silver's face was radiant. You
couldn't say more, am sure, sir, If
you was my mother" he cried.
well, that's my first concession"
added the doctor my second is a
piece of advice. Keep the boy close
beside you, and when yon need help,
halloo. I'm off to seek it for you,
and that itself will show you if /
speak at random. Good-by, jim"
And Doctor Livesey shook hands
with me through the stockade, nod
led to Silver, and set off at brisk
pace into the wood.