`` Why , from about noon observation to about six bells . '' `` Good , '' said I , `` and now may I go ? '' `` You wo n't forget ? '' he inquired anxiously . `` Precious sight , and reasons of his own , says you . Reasons of his own ; that 's the mainstay ; as between man and man . Well , then '' -- still holding me -- `` I reckon you can go , Jim . And , Jim , if you was to see Silver , you would n't go for to sell Ben Gunn ? Wild horses would n't draw it from you ? No , says you . And if them pirates camp ashore , Jim , what would you say but there 'd be widders in the morning ? '' Here he was interrupted by a loud report , and a cannonball came tearing through the trees and pitched in the sand not a hundred yards from where we two were talking . The next moment each of us had taken to his heels in a different direction . For a good hour to come frequent reports shook the island , and balls kept crashing through the woods . I moved from hiding-place to hiding-place , always pursued , or so it seemed to me , by these terrifying missiles . But towards the end of the bombardment , though still I durst not venture in the direction of the stockade , where the balls fell oftenest , I had begun , in a manner , to pluck up my heart again , and after a long detour to the east , crept down among the shore-side trees . The sun had just set , the sea breeze was rustling and tumbling in the woods and ruffling the grey surface of the anchorage ; the tide , too , was far out , and great tracts of sand lay uncovered ; the air , after the heat of the day , chilled me through my jacket . The HISPANIOLA still lay where she had anchored ; but , sure enough , there was the Jolly Roger -- the black flag of piracy -- flying from her peak . Even as I looked , there came another red flash and another report that sent the echoes clattering , and one more round-shot whistled through the air . It was the last of the cannonade .
I XXXXX for some time watching the bustle which succeeded the attack .
's crept fell flying lay reckon said seemed set taken