you will give up this wretched practice at once
Over on the back the same hand had written this further information:–
`Tall tree, Spy-glass shoulder, bearing a point to the N of N.N.E.
`Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E.
`Ten feet.
`The bar silver is in the north cache; you can find it by the trend of the east hummock, ten fathoms south of the black crag with the face on it.
`The arms are easy found, in the sand hill, N. point of nor inlet cape, bearing E. and a quarter N.
`J. F.’
That was all; but brief as it was, and, to me, incomprehensible, it filled the squire and Dr Livesey with delight.
`Livesey,’ said the squire, `you will give up this wretched practice at once. To – morrow I start for Bristol. In three weeks’ time – three weeks! – two weeks – ten days – we’ll have the best ship, sir, and the choicest crew in England. Hawkins shall come as cabin – boy. You’ll make a famous cabin-boy Hawkins. You, Livesey, are ship’s doctor; I am admiral. We’ll take Redruth, Joyce, and Hunter. We’ll ha favourable winds, a quick passage, and not the least difficult in finding the spot, and money to eat – to roll in – to play du and drake with ever after.’
`Trelawney,’ said the doctor, `I’ll go with you; and, I go bail for it, so will Jim, and be a credit to the undertaking. There’s only one man I’m afraid of.’
`And who’s that?’ cried the squire. `Name the dog, sir!’
`You,’ replied the doctor; `for you cannot hold your tongue.’
We are not the only men who know of this paper. These fellows who attacked the inn to-night – bold, desperate blades, for sure – and the rest who stayed aboard that lugger, and more, I dare say, not far off, are, one and all, through thick and thin, bound that they’ll get that money. We must none of us go alone till we get to sea. Jim and I shall stick together in the meanwhile; you’ll take Joyce and Hunter when you ride to Bristol, and, from first to last, not one of us must breathe a word of what we’ve found.’
`Livesey,’ returned the squire, `you are always in the right of it. I’ll be as silent as the grave.’
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