Arizona state miner., 1926-05-29
CHAPTER XII-Continued

ed to stimulate Flint's cupidity anew
they succeeded. "How-how much?"
ne asked, almost fearfully.
"Seven hundred and SiXty-three
thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five
pounds in coin and bullion, without
counting chest of jewels and three
chests of plate" replied my great
uncle promptly. "YOu will note that
! have favored our people in the di-
vision, allOtting to them all in excess
OF the million and a half pounds the
Santissima Trinidad was expected to
carry
A cunning look crept into Flint's
face
where's the rest?" he croaked.
My great-uncle took snuff.
"Quite safely disposed of, assure
you" he answered.
Down below?"
''No. it's no longer aboard"
Flint swallowed hard.
aye mean it aint here? 1t amt
aboard the James?"
Precisely, captain
"Gut mel" rOared Flint. "Ye d.
vided it by your lone? Wi'out a man
from the Walrus to stand by and see
fair play? I'll not support it, Murray.
Curse me If 1 will l know your
tricks May / be for
- - - If any lousy swab of
a sea-lawyer politician is a-goin' to
cast dust in my eyes. 'Twould be the
thinO World 70 of
tempt to cOZen me into believing seven
hundred thousand pounds had been set
aside for your friends by throwing
in hn extra hundred thousand pounds
for our division. Friends = BY thun-
der, the only friend We know is your
self, ye dried-up wisp of "a"
"That will do" said my great-uncle
in his still, level voice.
Flint opened and shut his mouth
rapidly without a sound issuing forth.
II bar personalities, captain"
warned my redoubtable relative.
One hand barely touched his sword
hiIt.
II trust there will be no occasion
for me to repeat the warming" he
remarked.
Flint's bafied rage was comic to
behold.
"Aye, you and your fine gentleman
ways - he choked. 81 know ye! Gut me
II I'll support it to be swindled thus.
A woman and strangers aboard And
eight hundred thousand pounds miss
ing Safely disposed Of says you!
I'll warrant. Safe where you can col
Lar it any time you please. I knowed
1T as soon as I marked the f1utter of q
petticOat. A woman and gold"
Long John Silver swung himself up
on to the poop from the head of the
port ladder and stamped toward US.
II hopes as how yell overlook my
bOldness, Cap'n Murray, but 1 ha' a
word TO speak to Cap'n Flint-foc csle
council, sir"
My great-uncle took another pinch
Of snuff.
"Ah, yes" be observed dryly. st
recall that aboard the Walrus the
fo'csle council must be heard. trust
that you can instil some common
sense into your captains head. He
hath need of it, Silver"
Flint glared, but Silver snatched
whatever reply he intended out of his
mouth.
'Thank zee, sir. You just let me an
Cap'n Flint ha' word in private, and
maybe We'll see way out O. this tan
gle."
"Suit Yourself" said my great-uncle
with shrug.
Silver pulled his forelock, and his
large face lighted up as if consid-
cradle favor had been conferred.
1--WE won't be no time at all, sir.
Thank zee kindly
He put his free hand under Flint's
elbow, and l marveled to see the ease
with which he was able to bend his
captain to his will. Accustomed as
I was to Murray's autocratic discipline,
1t was q revelation to establish contact
again with the free-and-easy spirit of
the Walrus, where any man might be-
come commander If he was able to
muster a majority of the focsle to
raise cutlasses in his behalf. Flint
obediently followed his quartermaster
to the sta'b'd side of the poop, and
there they laid their heads close and
collogued for quarter-glass, Silver
at first arguing and Flint resisting
him.
"Silver is no man to let hard on four
hundred thousands pounds slip through
his hands," said.
"Andt maybe he says not to let
eight hundred thousand pounds get
away, needer," commented Peter.
"Ja, / t'ink So"
Murray nodded slowly.
"You are more like to be right than
wrong, friend Peter. Of all the Wal
rus people he hath the most acute
intelligence. A choice knave"
Colonel O'DOnnell stalked back to
us from the extremity of the stern
=