Arizona state miner., 1926-04-24
'Yes," he replied absently, and kept

we stepped out or the forest into q
glade on the rivers bank Several
additional fires had been kindled, and
around each were huddled groups of
pirates much the worse for the last
nights drinking bout John Silver
was the only man who appeared to
have any animation left in him.
Twas he first saw us, and evidently
spoke to Flint, who sat with Bones
and several other cronies at the
smallest Of the fires. He swung to-
ward us as Flint rose unsteadily and
tackled in his wake.
"Come a-visitin', captain?" Silver
inquired cheerfully Mighty kind O.
We, SIR seem as how most o. our lads
is bit the worse for liquor and
blood-lettin'. My duty to ye, Master
Ormerod. I hopes 1 sees you and
your friend well?'
"Blood-lettin? repeated Murray, ig-
noring the balance Of his remarks.
"The old story, eh? Well, we'll
You'll never learn. How many for the
sailmaker's palm and needle?'
"Three, captain. And main lucky
we are as"
Flint lurched up beside him.
"Stow that, John," growled his cap
tain. "I'll do the talkin'. What's
your trouble, Murray?'
My great-uncle took a pinch of snuff
with his inimitable knack Of express
ing acute disgust without moving a
muscle of his face.
II have been a-hunting," he replied.
shooting for the pot. We stopped
on the way to our boat to pass the
time o. day with you, Flint"
Flint snorted
'"Time o. day HI! 'Tain't like you
to take the trouble"
81 am a person of most uncertain
proclivities," replied my great-uncle
81 hear from Silver that last nights
episode was accompanied by the usual
fatalities"
Three" assented Flint 1.-TWO O.
'em could be spared-lousy dogs. The
other was Toby Welsh, as stout a fel-
low as we had"
"Not bad for one nights work."
commented Murray
Flint was obviously in no very bel
ligerent mood; he could scarce stand.
But he famed up at this.
AYE and what dye expect? How
many months did ye tell me I must
bide here wi a crew that knows
naught but how to brew the DEVILS
broth? And how many men dye think
will be alive by the end of the time?
Gut me- but twill be like the song
we sing O. the Dead Mans Chest !"
81 fear it WILL" agreed my great
uncle Unless you take measures
to prevent it."
Measures? There's a deal to be
done in keeping twelvescore men
from fighting on this chunk o. earth
and rock T"
"Theres your ship to be cleaned"
said my great-uncle tentatively.
''I'd ha' mutiny on my hands did l
call for 1T They're all for a run
ashore, and thereIl be no working
them aboardship until they ha' had
their fill O. woods and mountains"
"Ah!" said my great-uncle. Doubt
less that is so. Well, If they must
remain ashore a time, is it not in
their own interest to erect themselves
some shelter from the elements? We
have often said that some day we
should build ourselves a fort on the
island"
"We ha'"
"I came upon the ideal spot this
afternoon-a sand hillock Overgrown
with fine pines and oaks eastward of
the swamps. 1t hath the airs from
the ocean, a good prospect of the an
chorage and the nearer waters, and
there is a spring at the very top"
"And tn to do the work - snarled
Flint
"Your men are to do the work" cor
rected Murray. II should gladly as
sist them in it but for the fact that
my own crew will be occupied aboard
ship during the duration of our stay.
We of the Royal James, I may point
out, are laboring in the common in
terest no less than your people will
be If they undertake the construction
Of the fort.'
"Blast me for a fool if
1 care two for the COM
mon INTEREST,"" cried Flint "But it's
true there Is need Of the fort. and
if the men will bide ashore they
should ha' roof to their heads and
better place to camp than down here
in the river vapors I'll see what's
to be done, Murray"
You'll not regret it." replied my
great-uncle. 81 shall be glad to lend
you aught I possess in the way of
tools or advice
The building Of the hilltop fort ap-
pealed to some boyish strain sub
merged beneath the surface villainy
Of Flint's scoundrels. They went to
their task with positive enthusiasm,
clearing the hillock Of timber, saving
and SOuarinp the logs and erecting