The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-06-25

the sight or their nrSt goat they began
to whoop and shout like schoolboys.
Murray, despite his age, was as spry
as the youngest of US, and he never
wasted a shot.
We had maintained a brisk pace
on our wanderings, and we reached
the site of the spring Well before
sunset. My great-uncle surveyed the
situation with calculating eye, esti-
mated the stand Of timber on the hills
sides, and exclaimed that there was
no neighboring eminence whence an
enemy could command it.
"'Tis all you have asserted 1t to
be-" he said. Moreover, it gives me
an idea of a way in which we may
occupy the energies of Captain Flint
and his lambs for the ensuing weeks
Of our stay"
A thread of smoke trickled up be-
side the mouth Of the rivulet In the
woods along the estuary, and / indi-
Gated it to him.
There Is Flint" / said.
"Yes," he replied absently, and kept
on.
The shadows were frightening as
we stepped out Of the forest into a
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 a bit the worse for liquor and
blood-lettin'. My duty to We, Master
Ormerod. 1 hopes l sees you and
your friend well?"
"Blood-lettin? repeated Murray, ig-
noring the balance of his remarks.
''The old story, Ell? Well, well |!
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 pinch of SNUFF
with his inimitable knack of express
ing acute disgust without moving a
muscle of his face.
81 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.
thine o. day! H! '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 fell
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 We tell me I must
bide here WI q 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 deal to be
done in keeping twelvescore men
| from fighting on this chunk O. earth
| and rock!"
There's your ship to be cleaned"
said my great-uncle tentatively.
'T'd ha' mutiny on my hands did /
call for it! They're all for run
ashore, and there'll be no working
them aboardship until they ha' had
| their fill o. woods and mountains"
"Ah!" said my grea&uncle. Doubt
less that is so. Well, If they must
| remain ashore a time, Is 1t not in
their own interest to erect themselves
some shelter from the elements? We
have often said that some day we
should build ourselves fort on the
! island"