"When does the ebb make?" asked Flint with a stretch and a yawn.
"Another two glasses yet," said Bones.
"——, I must ha' a bit of sleep," growled the pirates' captain. "Come to a vote, lads, and be done wi' it. Will, ye go or won't ye? Ye all know what mercy Murray'll give ye, if he ever hears o' this council—and there's them, as would like to blab, be sure o' that."
Silver pulled himself erect, cuddling his crutch under his. arm.
"Quartermaster speaks for the crew," he said. "And my view is as how the crew is for fightin' for their just rights. The Walrus has played second fiddle long enough, and here's a chance as isn't likely to come again."
There was a second brief interval of silence.
"Nobody contrary," announced the one-legged man cheerfully. "Council's over! Keep quiet, mates. No drinkin', no fightin'. There'll be plenty o' both later."
The squatting ranks broke up into groups, and a number of men strolled for'ard toward my hiding-place. But I did not await them. From the shelter of the chase-gun I hunched myself back behind a water-cask, and so regained the bows, slipped overside and slid down the anchor-cable to the water.
A huge white shape floated up to me.
"Is dot you, Bob?"