that," returned Long John. "You needn't be so
husky with a man; there ain't a particle of service in that, and you may
lay to it. What I mean is, we want your chart. Now, I never meant you no
harm, myself."

"That won't do with me, my man," interrupted the captain. "We know
exactly what you meant to do, and we don't care; for now, you see, you
can't do it."

And the captain looked at him calmly, and proceeded to fill a pipe.

"If Abe Gray----" Silver broke out.

"Avast there!" cried Mr. Smollett. "Gray told me nothing, and I asked him
nothing; and what's more, I would see you and him and this whole island
blown clean out of the water into blazes first. So there's my mind for
you, my man, on that."

This little whiff of temper seemed to cool Silver down. He had been
growing nettled before, but now he pulled himself together.

"Like enough," said he. "I would set no limits to what gentlemen might
consider ship-shape, or might not, as the case were. And, seein' as how
you are about to take a pipe, cap'n, I'll make so free as do likewise."

And he filled a pipe and lighted it; and the two men sat silently smoking
for quite a while, now looking each other in the face, now stopping their
tobacco, now leaning forward to spit. It was as good as the play to see
them.

"Now," resumed Silver, "here it is. You give us the chart to get the
treasure by, and drop shooting poor seamen, and stoving of their heads in
while asleep. You do that, and we'll offer you a choice. Either you come
aboard along of us, once the treasure shipped, and then I'll give you my
affy-davy, upon my word of honour, to clap you somewhere safe ashore. Or,
if that ain't to your fancy, some of my hands being rough, and having old
scores, on account of hazing, then you can stay here, you can. We'll
divide stores with you, man for man; and I'll give my affy-davy, as
before, to speak the first ship I sight, and send 'em here to pick you
up. Now you'll own that's talking. Handsomer you couldn't look to get,
not you. And I hope"--raising his voice--"that all hands in this here
block-house will overhaul my words, for what is spoke to one is spoke to
all."

Captain Smollett rose from his seat, and knocked out the ashes of his
pipe in the palm of his left hand.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"Every last word, by thunder!" answered John. "Refuse that, and you've
seen the last of me but musket-balls."

"Very good," said the captain. "Now you'll hear me. If you'