"I need not consider that binding in event of an opportunity to escape," I retorted.
"You need not perhaps," said he. "Yet you would."
And with that he walked off and bade Saunders order the gig lowered overside. Nor did he say another word until we had secured our weapons and a packet of food from Ben Gunn and returned to the deck. Then he gave over supervising the cock-billing of the mainyard and joined us at the gangway.
"I desire above all things, Robert," he said, "to deal gently with you. Therefore I ask you to believe I am considering your own safety when I require your promise to be aboard again not later than an hour after sundown."
"Why, what harm——"
The Walrus slatted past us, her canvas in a slovenly mess alow and aloft, a dozen men howling orders and counter-orders from poop, waist and fo'csle, Flint in his red coat strutting the poop and adding his own bellow to the din whenever the confusion showed signs of dissolving. Pew was huddled over the wheel, the green eyeshade masking his powder-burned eyes, John Silver tall beside him, a-leaning on the carven mahogany crutch, his cool, pleasant voice the one sensible sound in the tumult on those disordered decks.
My great-uncle's eyes strayed across the narrow gap of water betwixt the two vessels.
"Well, damme, it's been a —— of a voyage, Murray!" shouted Flint.
"We are here," returned my great-uncle urbanely.
"Aye, and what to do wi' ourselves?" Flint called back. "Blast me for a —— —— —— if I can see what five hundred —— —— —— are to do wi' months on their hands, and naught but rum-drinkin' and quarrellin' for diversion."