You mean all s lost? I asked.
Aye, by gum, I do! he answered. Ship gone, neck gone--that s the
size of it. Once I looked into that bay, Jim Hawkins, and seen no
schooner--well, I m tough, but I gave out. As for that lot and their
council, mark me, they re outright fools and cowards. I ll save your
life--if so be as I can--from them. But, see here, Jim--tit for tat--you
save Long John from swinging.
I was bewildered; it seemed a thing so hopeless he was asking--he, the
old buccaneer, the ringleader throughout.
What I can do, that I ll do, I said.
It s a bargain! cried Long John. You speak up plucky, and by thunder,
I ve a chance!
He hobbled to the torch, where it stood propped among the firewood, and
took a fresh light to his pipe.
Understand me, Jim, he said, returning. I ve a head on my shoulders,
I have. I m on squire s side now. I know you ve got that ship safe
somewheres. How you done it, I don t know, but safe it is. I guess Hands
and O Brien turned soft. I never much believed in neither of THEM. Now
you mark me. I ask no questions, nor I won t let others. I know when
a game s up, I do; and I know a lad that s staunch. Ah, you that s
young--you and me might have done a power of good together!
He drew some cognac from the cask into a tin cannikin.
Will you taste, messmate? he asked; and when I had refused: Well,
I ll take a dram myself, Jim, said he. I need a caulker, for there s
trouble on hand. And talking o trouble, why did that doctor give me the
chart, Jim?
My face expressed a wonder so unaffected that he saw the needlessness of
further questions.
Ah, well, he did, though, said he. And there s something under that,
no doubt--something, surely, under that, Jim--bad or good.
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