inside, pushed one of their number forward. In any other circumstances
it would have been comical to see his slow advance, hesitating as he set
down each foot, but holding his closed right hand in front of him.
Step up, lad, cried Silver. I won t eat you. Hand it over, lubber. I
know the rules, I do; I won t hurt a depytation.
Thus encouraged, the buccaneer stepped forth more briskly, and having
passed something to Silver, from hand to hand, slipped yet more smartly
back again to his companions.
The sea-cook looked at what had been given him.
The black spot! I thought so, he observed. Where might you have got
the paper? Why, hillo! Look here, now; this ain t lucky! You ve gone and
cut this out of a Bible. What fool s cut a Bible?
Ah, there! said Morgan. There! Wot did I say? No good ll come o
that, I said.
Well, you ve about fixed it now, among you, continued Silver. You ll
all swing now, I reckon. What soft-headed lubber had a Bible?
It was Dick, said one.
Dick, was it? Then Dick can get to prayers, said Silver. He s seen
his slice of luck, has Dick, and you may lay to that.
But here the long man with the yellow eyes struck in.
Belay that talk, John Silver, he said. This crew has tipped you the
black spot in full council, as in dooty bound; just you turn it over, as
in dooty bound, and see what s wrote there. Then you can talk.
Thanky, George, replied the sea-cook. You always was brisk for
business, and has the rules by heart, George, as I m pleased to see.
Well, what is it, anyway? Ah! Deposed --that s it, is it? Very pretty
wrote, to be sure; like print, I swear. Your hand o write, George? Why,
you was gettin quite a leadin man in this here crew. You ll be cap n
next, I shouldn t wonder. Just oblige me with that torch again, will
155