, 1926-06-23

!" oCalln up IOI
more?"
Bones reflected. He was not nearly
30 clever as Silver. and l imagine he
knew it. He feared a trap, but study
as he might he could not detect any
pitfall behind the innocent question.
I'll be guided by the crew." he an
nounced triumphantly. you're gen
tlemen adventurers, all o. We. Name
your wishes !"
This time the crew looked instinc-
lively to Silver for a lead.
w 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 dividin' 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 go on the
Account again can easy do 1t. Turn
over the Walrus to 'em If they fancy
it. l don't care. But some o. us ha'
had enough o. the sea, and we'll try
our ease ashore"
A shout of approval capped this
speech. There was not a man but was
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 a ship again-or so
they thought.
Bones was as enthusiastic for Sill
ver's plan as my.
aye, aye" he applauded. Long
Join has the right idea. Well water
tomorrow, and her We'll try for the
Dead Mans Chest"
And he began to shout drunkenly
the song hat Flint had died singing:
Fifteen men on the Dead Mans
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle O. rum!
Drink and the devil had lone for the
Chest
Yo-ho-ho. and a bottle O. rumr'
Other men Joined in, and as if by
magic pannikins of rum appeared.
Bones drank several whilst we
watched.
you drink wi me, bullies |" he hailed
his supporters. IAN easy skipper is
Bill Bones. Rum for all. and to -
wi discipline !"
my hO"iVu JOY Auiiy over lIlS, anu
what 1 had expected to provide a free
fight seemed about to develop into
nothing worse than such an orgy of
intoXication as occurred almost every
night aboard the Walrus. But 1t 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. I'VE got
u vast task to settle here. Time to
carouse afterward."
There's no time for drinkin' like
the time We ha' the liquor at your ell
bow" retorted Bones.
And them's true words" assented
Silver heartily. "And it's plain to be
seen as you're a skipper the lads'l
all be blithe for, Bill. But l was just
figgerin' as we none o. us has ever
asked the pris'ners how long twill
take to dig up that treasure o. Muir
rays. So 1 makes bold to suggest we
have 'em up here and put EN- through
their PAGES. 'Tain't no ways right as
pris'ners should be as close-mouthed
as Flint let EN- be. He was a good
messmate, Flint was, but l allus
thought them swabs pulled the wool
a mite over his eyes, blow me if 1
didn't"
1 could see Bones slowly run his
tongue over his lips, blinking his eyes
the while. He liked this idea. So
did tbn ornur Thaxv 49, t., tho h,rnay
for batting whoever were at their
mercy.
Have 'em out" ruled Bones. Long
Johns right"
aye, have 'em out" yelled the
crew. make ZEN dancer
Silyer's hard, polished-agate eyes
glinted around the circle of savage
faces and came to rest upon Bones
sodden visage.
run aft, Darby, there's the sweet
lad" he said, land bring us the pris'-
ners."
"Not-not-her!" answered Darby
haltingly.
Eyes, her." replied Silver with a
slight emphasis.
And one of his hands reached out,
and his strong fingers tweaked the
Irish boys ear. Darby yelped.
course, you bring her. Silver
continued. "Why's she too good to
tell us what she knows, mates? Just
because she had Andrew Murray's
favor, 1 wonder !"
Not"
Darby started to protest again, but
Silver cut him off with u word that
dripped chill ~ferocity.
"Skipr'
"Fetch up the wench, boy" growled
Bones, COR I'll give We a taste o. Muir