Reading Help Treasure Island Ch.IV-VI
and I wait here--and I'm still your cap'n, mind--till `
` you outs with your grievances and I reply; in the `
` meantime, your black spot ain't worth a biscuit. After `
` that, we'll see." `
` `
` "Oh," replied George, "you don't be under no kind of `
` apprehension; WE'RE all square, we are. First, `
` you've made a hash of this cruise--you'll be a bold man `
` to say no to that. Second, you let the enemy out o' `
` this here trap for nothing. Why did they want out? I `
` dunno, but it's pretty plain they wanted it. Third, `
` you wouldn't let us go at them upon the march. Oh, we `
` see through you, John Silver; you want to play booty, `
` that's what's wrong with you. And then, fourth, `
` there's this here boy." `
` `
` "Is that all?" asked Silver quietly. `
` `
` "Enough, too," retorted George. "We'll all swing and `
` sun-dry for your bungling." `
` `
` "Well now, look here, I'll answer these four p'ints; `
` one after another I'll answer 'em. I made a hash o' `
` this cruise, did I? Well now, you all know what I `
` wanted, and you all know if that had been done that `
` we'd 'a been aboard the HISPANIOLA this night as `
` ever was, every man of us alive, and fit, and full of `
` good plum-duff, and the treasure in the hold of her, by `
` thunder! Well, who crossed me? Who forced my hand, as `
` was the lawful cap'n? Who tipped me the black spot the `
` day we landed and began this dance? Ah, it's a fine `
` dance--I'm with you there--and looks mighty like a `
` hornpipe in a rope's end at Execution Dock by London `
` town, it does. But who done it? Why, it was Anderson, `
` and Hands, and you, George Merry! And you're the last `
` above board of that same meddling crew; and you have `
` the Davy Jones's insolence to up and stand for cap'n `
` over me--you, that sank the lot of us! By the powers! `
` But this tops the stiffest yarn to nothing." `
` `
` Silver paused, and I could see by the faces of George `
` and his late comrades that these words had not been `
` said in vain. `
` `
` "That's for number one," cried the accused, wiping the `
` sweat from his brow, for he had been talking with a `
` vehemence that shook the house. "Why, I give you my `
` word, I'm sick to speak to you. You've neither sense `
` nor memory, and I leave it to fancy where your mothers `
` was that let you come to sea. Sea! Gentlemen o' `
` fortune! I reckon tailors is your trade." `
` `
` "Go on, John," said Morgan. "Speak up to the others." `
` `
` "Ah, the others!" returned John. "They're a nice lot, `
` ain't they? You say this cruise is bungled. Ah! By `
` gum, if you could understand how bad it's bungled, you `
` would see! We're that near the gibbet that my neck's `
` stiff with thinking on it. You've seen 'em, maybe, `
` hanged in chains, birds about 'em, seamen p'inting 'em `
` out as they go down with the tide. 'Who's that?' says `
` one. 'That! Why, that's John Silver. I knowed him `
` well,' says another. And you can hear the chains a- `
` jangle as you go about and reach for the other buoy. `
` Now, that's about where we are, every mother's son of `
` us, thanks to him, and Hands, and Anderson, and other `
` ruination fools of you. And if you want to know about `
` number four, and that boy, why, shiver my timbers, `
` isn't he a hostage? Are we a-going to waste a hostage? `
` No, not us; he might be our last chance, and I `
` shouldn't wonder. Kill that boy? Not me, mates! And `
` number three? Ah, well, there's a deal to say to `
` number three. Maybe you don't count it nothing to have `
` a real college doctor to see you every day--you, John, `
` with your head broke--or you, George Merry, that had `
` the ague shakes upon you not six hours agone, and has `
` your eyes the colour of lemon peel to this same moment `
` on the clock? And maybe, perhaps, you didn't know `
` there was a consort coming either? But there is, and `
` not so long till then; and we'll see who'll be glad to `
` have a hostage when it comes to that. And as for `
` number two, and why I made a bargain--well, you came `
` crawling on your knees to me to make it--on your knees `
` you came, you was that downhearted--and you'd have `
` starved too if I hadn't--but that's a trifle! You look `
` there--that's why!" `
` `
` And he cast down upon the floor a paper that I `
` instantly recognized--none other than the chart on `
` yellow paper, with the three red crosses, that I had `
` found in the oilcloth at the bottom of the captain's `
` chest. Why the doctor had given it to him was more `
` than I could fancy. `
` `
` But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of `
` the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. `
` They leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse. It went `
` from hand to hand, one tearing it from another; and by `
` the oaths and the cries and the childish laughter with `
` which they accompanied their examination, you would `
` have thought, not only they were fingering the very `
` gold, but were at sea with it, besides, in safety. `
` `
` "Yes," said one, "that's Flint, sure enough. J. F., and `
` a score below, with a clove hitch to it; so he done ever." `
` `
` "Mighty pretty," said George. "But how are we to get `
` away with it, and us no ship." `
` `
` Silver suddenly sprang up, and supporting himself with `
` a hand against the wall: "Now I give you warning, `
` George," he cried. "One more word of your sauce, and `
` I'll call you down and fight you. How? Why, how do I `
` know? You had ought to tell me that--you and the rest, `
` that lost me my schooner, with your interference, burn `
` you! But not you, you can't; you hain't got the `
` invention of a cockroach. But civil you can speak, and `
` shall, George Merry, you may lay to that." `
` `
` "That's fair enow," said the old man Morgan. `
` `
` "Fair! I reckon so," said the sea-cook. "You lost the `
` ship; I found the treasure. Who's the better man at `
` that? And now I resign, by thunder! Elect whom you `
` please to be your cap'n now; I'm done with it." `
` `
` "Silver!" they cried. "Barbecue forever! Barbecue `
` for cap'n!" `
` `
` "So that's the toon, is it?" cried the cook. "George, `
` I reckon you'll have to wait another turn, friend; and `
` lucky for you as I'm not a revengeful man. But that `
` was never my way. And now, shipmates, this black spot? `
` 'Tain't much good now, is it? Dick's crossed his luck `
` and spoiled his Bible, and that's about all." `
` `
` "It'll do to kiss the book on still, won't it?" growled `
` Dick, who was evidently uneasy at the curse he had `
` brought upon himself. `
` `
` "A Bible with a bit cut out!" returned Silver `
` derisively. "Not it. It don't bind no more'n a `
` ballad-book." `
` `
` "Don't it, though?" cried Dick with a sort of joy. `
` "Well, I reckon that's worth having too." `
` `
` "Here, Jim--here's a cur'osity for you," said Silver, `
` and he tossed me the paper. `
` `
` It was around about the size of a crown piece. One `
` side was blank, for it had been the last leaf; the `
` other contained a verse or two of Revelation--these `
` words among the rest, which struck sharply home upon my `
` mind: "Without are dogs and murderers." The printed `
` side had been blackened with wood ash, which already `
` began to come off and soil my fingers; on the blank `
` side had been written with the same material the one `
` word "Depposed." I have that curiosity beside me at `
` this moment, but not a trace of writing now remains `
` beyond a single scratch, such as a man might make with `
` his thumb-nail. `
` `
` That was the end of the night's business. Soon after, `
` with a drink all round, we lay down to sleep, and the `
` outside of Silver's vengeance was to put George Merry `
` up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he `
` should prove unfaithful. `
` `
` It was long ere I could close an eye, and heaven knows `
` I had matter enough for thought in the man whom I had `
` slain that afternoon, in my own most perilous position, `
` and above all, in the remarkable game that I saw Silver `
` now engaged upon--keeping the mutineers together with `
` one hand and grasping with the other after every means, `
` possible and impossible, to make his peace and save his `
` miserable life. He himself slept peacefully and snored `
` aloud, yet my heart was sore for him, wicked as he was, `
` to think on the dark perils that environed and the `
` shameful gibbet that awaited him. `
` `
` `
` `
` 30 `
` `
` On Parole `
` `
` I WAS wakened--indeed, we were all wakened, for I could `
` see even the sentinel shake himself together from where `
` he had fallen against the door-post--by a clear, hearty `
` voice hailing us from the margin of the wood: `
` `
` "Block house, ahoy!" it cried. "Here's the doctor." `
` `
` And the doctor it was. Although I was glad to hear the `
` sound, yet my gladness was not without admixture. I `
` remembered with confusion my insubordinate and stealthy `
` conduct, and when I saw where it had brought me--among `
` what companions and surrounded by what dangers--I felt `
` ashamed to look him in the face. `
` `
`
` you outs with your grievances and I reply; in the `
` meantime, your black spot ain't worth a biscuit. After `
` that, we'll see." `
` `
` "Oh," replied George, "you don't be under no kind of `
` apprehension; WE'RE all square, we are. First, `
` you've made a hash of this cruise--you'll be a bold man `
` to say no to that. Second, you let the enemy out o' `
` this here trap for nothing. Why did they want out? I `
` dunno, but it's pretty plain they wanted it. Third, `
` you wouldn't let us go at them upon the march. Oh, we `
` see through you, John Silver; you want to play booty, `
` that's what's wrong with you. And then, fourth, `
` there's this here boy." `
` `
` "Is that all?" asked Silver quietly. `
` `
` "Enough, too," retorted George. "We'll all swing and `
` sun-dry for your bungling." `
` `
` "Well now, look here, I'll answer these four p'ints; `
` one after another I'll answer 'em. I made a hash o' `
` this cruise, did I? Well now, you all know what I `
` wanted, and you all know if that had been done that `
` we'd 'a been aboard the HISPANIOLA this night as `
` ever was, every man of us alive, and fit, and full of `
` good plum-duff, and the treasure in the hold of her, by `
` thunder! Well, who crossed me? Who forced my hand, as `
` was the lawful cap'n? Who tipped me the black spot the `
` day we landed and began this dance? Ah, it's a fine `
` dance--I'm with you there--and looks mighty like a `
` hornpipe in a rope's end at Execution Dock by London `
` town, it does. But who done it? Why, it was Anderson, `
` and Hands, and you, George Merry! And you're the last `
` above board of that same meddling crew; and you have `
` the Davy Jones's insolence to up and stand for cap'n `
` over me--you, that sank the lot of us! By the powers! `
` But this tops the stiffest yarn to nothing." `
` `
` Silver paused, and I could see by the faces of George `
` and his late comrades that these words had not been `
` said in vain. `
` `
` "That's for number one," cried the accused, wiping the `
` sweat from his brow, for he had been talking with a `
` vehemence that shook the house. "Why, I give you my `
` word, I'm sick to speak to you. You've neither sense `
` nor memory, and I leave it to fancy where your mothers `
` was that let you come to sea. Sea! Gentlemen o' `
` fortune! I reckon tailors is your trade." `
` `
` "Go on, John," said Morgan. "Speak up to the others." `
` `
` "Ah, the others!" returned John. "They're a nice lot, `
` ain't they? You say this cruise is bungled. Ah! By `
` gum, if you could understand how bad it's bungled, you `
` would see! We're that near the gibbet that my neck's `
` stiff with thinking on it. You've seen 'em, maybe, `
` hanged in chains, birds about 'em, seamen p'inting 'em `
` out as they go down with the tide. 'Who's that?' says `
` one. 'That! Why, that's John Silver. I knowed him `
` well,' says another. And you can hear the chains a- `
` jangle as you go about and reach for the other buoy. `
` Now, that's about where we are, every mother's son of `
` us, thanks to him, and Hands, and Anderson, and other `
` ruination fools of you. And if you want to know about `
` number four, and that boy, why, shiver my timbers, `
` isn't he a hostage? Are we a-going to waste a hostage? `
` No, not us; he might be our last chance, and I `
` shouldn't wonder. Kill that boy? Not me, mates! And `
` number three? Ah, well, there's a deal to say to `
` number three. Maybe you don't count it nothing to have `
` a real college doctor to see you every day--you, John, `
` with your head broke--or you, George Merry, that had `
` the ague shakes upon you not six hours agone, and has `
` your eyes the colour of lemon peel to this same moment `
` on the clock? And maybe, perhaps, you didn't know `
` there was a consort coming either? But there is, and `
` not so long till then; and we'll see who'll be glad to `
` have a hostage when it comes to that. And as for `
` number two, and why I made a bargain--well, you came `
` crawling on your knees to me to make it--on your knees `
` you came, you was that downhearted--and you'd have `
` starved too if I hadn't--but that's a trifle! You look `
` there--that's why!" `
` `
` And he cast down upon the floor a paper that I `
` instantly recognized--none other than the chart on `
` yellow paper, with the three red crosses, that I had `
` found in the oilcloth at the bottom of the captain's `
` chest. Why the doctor had given it to him was more `
` than I could fancy. `
` `
` But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of `
` the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. `
` They leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse. It went `
` from hand to hand, one tearing it from another; and by `
` the oaths and the cries and the childish laughter with `
` which they accompanied their examination, you would `
` have thought, not only they were fingering the very `
` gold, but were at sea with it, besides, in safety. `
` `
` "Yes," said one, "that's Flint, sure enough. J. F., and `
` a score below, with a clove hitch to it; so he done ever." `
` `
` "Mighty pretty," said George. "But how are we to get `
` away with it, and us no ship." `
` `
` Silver suddenly sprang up, and supporting himself with `
` a hand against the wall: "Now I give you warning, `
` George," he cried. "One more word of your sauce, and `
` I'll call you down and fight you. How? Why, how do I `
` know? You had ought to tell me that--you and the rest, `
` that lost me my schooner, with your interference, burn `
` you! But not you, you can't; you hain't got the `
` invention of a cockroach. But civil you can speak, and `
` shall, George Merry, you may lay to that." `
` `
` "That's fair enow," said the old man Morgan. `
` `
` "Fair! I reckon so," said the sea-cook. "You lost the `
` ship; I found the treasure. Who's the better man at `
` that? And now I resign, by thunder! Elect whom you `
` please to be your cap'n now; I'm done with it." `
` `
` "Silver!" they cried. "Barbecue forever! Barbecue `
` for cap'n!" `
` `
` "So that's the toon, is it?" cried the cook. "George, `
` I reckon you'll have to wait another turn, friend; and `
` lucky for you as I'm not a revengeful man. But that `
` was never my way. And now, shipmates, this black spot? `
` 'Tain't much good now, is it? Dick's crossed his luck `
` and spoiled his Bible, and that's about all." `
` `
` "It'll do to kiss the book on still, won't it?" growled `
` Dick, who was evidently uneasy at the curse he had `
` brought upon himself. `
` `
` "A Bible with a bit cut out!" returned Silver `
` derisively. "Not it. It don't bind no more'n a `
` ballad-book." `
` `
` "Don't it, though?" cried Dick with a sort of joy. `
` "Well, I reckon that's worth having too." `
` `
` "Here, Jim--here's a cur'osity for you," said Silver, `
` and he tossed me the paper. `
` `
` It was around about the size of a crown piece. One `
` side was blank, for it had been the last leaf; the `
` other contained a verse or two of Revelation--these `
` words among the rest, which struck sharply home upon my `
` mind: "Without are dogs and murderers." The printed `
` side had been blackened with wood ash, which already `
` began to come off and soil my fingers; on the blank `
` side had been written with the same material the one `
` word "Depposed." I have that curiosity beside me at `
` this moment, but not a trace of writing now remains `
` beyond a single scratch, such as a man might make with `
` his thumb-nail. `
` `
` That was the end of the night's business. Soon after, `
` with a drink all round, we lay down to sleep, and the `
` outside of Silver's vengeance was to put George Merry `
` up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he `
` should prove unfaithful. `
` `
` It was long ere I could close an eye, and heaven knows `
` I had matter enough for thought in the man whom I had `
` slain that afternoon, in my own most perilous position, `
` and above all, in the remarkable game that I saw Silver `
` now engaged upon--keeping the mutineers together with `
` one hand and grasping with the other after every means, `
` possible and impossible, to make his peace and save his `
` miserable life. He himself slept peacefully and snored `
` aloud, yet my heart was sore for him, wicked as he was, `
` to think on the dark perils that environed and the `
` shameful gibbet that awaited him. `
` `
` `
` `
` 30 `
` `
` On Parole `
` `
` I WAS wakened--indeed, we were all wakened, for I could `
` see even the sentinel shake himself together from where `
` he had fallen against the door-post--by a clear, hearty `
` voice hailing us from the margin of the wood: `
` `
` "Block house, ahoy!" it cried. "Here's the doctor." `
` `
` And the doctor it was. Although I was glad to hear the `
` sound, yet my gladness was not without admixture. I `
` remembered with confusion my insubordinate and stealthy `
` conduct, and when I saw where it had brought me--among `
` what companions and surrounded by what dangers--I felt `
` ashamed to look him in the face. `
` `
`