A man plucked at my sleeve, and I spun about defensively to confront Peter.
"Where's Moira?" I panted.
"Darby took her. He has a plan for us to get free. Hurry, Bob! We got a goodt chance, ja. This is what Silver worked for, to hafe you kill Bones or set der crew against him."
I noticed that Peter steered me for'ard where the deck was deserted; but I asked no questions, for Silver's voice spurred me on.
"Lay aft, lads," he was shouting. "We'll show 'em what! We won't let no perishin' fool like Bill Bones go for to hold out that treasure-map on us. Couldn't even handle the Buckskin, he couldn't!"
Moira hailed us from the shelter of the capstan.
"Will it be you, Bob? Oh, thank God, thank God!"
"And your hand?" I stammered.
She pressed it to my lips.
"There!" said she. "If you will be so chary of other places."