The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-09-24
CHAPTER XIX-Continued


swell, Long John" he leered, ut
seems like twas you n me. The
Articles says them what votes for one
Teller goes to one side, and them what
votes for t'other goes opposite. So,
seem as you're on the la'b'd side, I'll
say them as votes for you goes la'b'd
and them as votes for me goes sta'b'd."
suits me-" grunted Silver.
There was subdued rustling and
patter of feet as the men divided, and
the lanthornlight revealed two I'M
equal groups on either side of the
mizzen with Bones sitting on his bar
rel between them. Probably three
ffths of the crew had voted for him.
well, Long john" he said without
trying to repress the triumph in his
tones, dye want to tell over the
voter"
NO" replied Silver briefly. "You
win"
Bones rubbed his hands gleefully.
"Ah, l win, do I?'
81 said yes"
The opposing factions regarded each
other like packs of wolves preparing
to dispute the carcass of a fresh
killed moose. suspected for an in
slant that they would fight, but mis-
judged Silver's self-cOntrol. Called
sting to his pride to influence his
policy.
You win, BILL" he repeated, "and
Tn the first TO wish We joy o. It. And
seem as you're dooly elected, s'pose
you tell us what your plans are for
the ship?"
"PlansT' answered Bones warily.
''What plans might We mean?"
"Are We for liftin' the treasure On
the two islands or beatin' up for
moref'
Bones reflected. He was not nearly
so clever as Silver, and / imagine he
knew it. He feared a traps but study
as he might he could not detect any
, pitfall behind the innocent question.
IN be guided by the crew." he an
nounced triumphantly You're gen.
tlemen adventures, all O. We. Name
your wishes!'
This time the crew looked instinc-
lively to Silver for lead.
''We got plenty o. treasure In them
island caches" he said tentatively.
"Speakin' for myself, I'm for collectin'
what we got, takin' three or four
ships and diyidin' up for different
countries, accordin' to what men seek.
There's enough waitin' for our spades
TO make US all comf'table for life,
and them lads as wants to 90 on the
Account again can easy do It, Turn
over the Walrus to 'em IL they fancy
it. l don't care. But some o. US ha'
had enough o. the sea, and wen try
our ease ashore"
A shout of approval capped this
lured by the prospect of thousands of
pounds to spend on the right side of
the gallows. And like all sailors after
a series of hard voyages, they never
wanted to see ship again-or SO
they thought.
Bones was as enthusiastic for Sill
yer's plan as any.
AYE, aye" he applauded "Long
John has the right idea. Well water
tomorrow, and then wen try for the
Dead Mans Chest"
And he began to shout drunkenly
the song that Flint had died singing /:
Fifteen men on the Dead Mans
Chest
Yo-ho-ho. and a bottle o. rum!
Drink and the devil had done fer the
Chest
Yo-ho-ho. and a bottle O. rum"
Other men Joined In, and as II by
magic pannikins of rum appeared
Bones drank several whilst we
watched.
'You drink wi me, bullies!" he hailed
his supporters. "An easy skipper is
Bill Bones. Rum for all, and to -
wi discipline!"
They howled joyfully over this, and
what 1 had expected to provide free
fight seemed about to develop into
nothing worse than such an orgy of
intoxication as occurred almost every
night aboard the Walrus. But it did
not suit Silver's plans to have all re-
straint cast off at that point. He
stumped forward into the circle Of
lanthorn light, with Pew, Black Dog,
Darby and a dozen others at his
back.
Delay, mates" he cried. 1--WE got