Why, no, not in particular, I answered.
Ah, well, said he, but I had--_re_markable pious. And I was a civil,
pious boy, and could rattle off my catechism that fast, as you couldn t
tell one word from another. And here s what it come to, Jim, and it
begun with chuck-farthen on the blessed grave-stones! That s what it
begun with, but it went further n that; and so my mother told me, and
predicked the whole, she did, the pious woman! But it were Providence
that put me here. I ve thought it all out in this here lonely island,
and I m back on piety. You don t catch me tasting rum so much, but just
a thimbleful for luck, of course, the first chance I have. I m bound
I ll be good, and I see the way to. And, Jim --looking all round him and
lowering his voice to a whisper-- I m rich.
I now felt sure that the poor fellow had gone crazy in his solitude, and
I suppose I must have shown the feeling in my face, for he repeated the
statement hotly: Rich! Rich! I says. And I ll tell you what: I ll make
a man of you, Jim. Ah, Jim, you ll bless your stars, you will, you was
the first that found me!
And at this there came suddenly a lowering shadow over his face, and he
tightened his grasp upon my hand and raised a forefinger threateningly
before my eyes.
Now, Jim, you tell me true: that ain t Flint s ship? he asked.
At this I had a happy inspiration. I began to believe that I had found
an ally, and I answered him at once.
It s not Flint s ship, and Flint is dead; but I ll tell you true, as
you ask me--there are some of Flint s hands aboard; worse luck for the
rest of us.
Not a man--with one--leg? he gasped.
Silver? I asked.
Ah, Silver! says he. That were his name.
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