But that was never my way . And now , shipmates , this black spot ? ` Tai n't much good now , is it ? Dick 's crossed his luck and spoiled his Bible , and that 's about all . '' `` It 'll do to kiss the book on still , wo n't it ? '' growled Dick , who was evidently uneasy at the curse he had brought upon himself . `` A Bible with a bit cut out ! '' returned Silver derisively . `` Not it . It do n't bind no more 'n a ballad-book . '' `` Do n't it , though ? '' cried Dick with a sort of joy . `` Well , I reckon that 's worth having too . '' `` Here , Jim -- here 's a cur ` osity for you , '' said Silver , and he tossed me the paper . It was around about the size of a crown piece . One side was blank , for it had been the last leaf ; the other contained a verse or two of Revelation -- these words among the rest , which struck sharply home upon my mind : `` Without are dogs and murderers . '' The printed side had been blackened with wood ash , which already began to come off and soil my fingers ; on the blank side had been written with the same material the one word `` Depposed . '' I have that curiosity beside me at this moment , but not a trace of writing now remains beyond a single scratch , such as a man might make with his thumb-nail . That was the end of the night 's business . Soon after , with a drink all round , we lay down to sleep , and the outside of Silver 's vengeance was to put George Merry up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he should prove unfaithful .
It was long ere I could close an eye , and heaven knows I had matter enough for thought in the man whom I had slain that afternoon , in my own most perilous position , and above all , in the remarkable game that I saw Silver now engaged upon -- keeping the mutineers together with one hand and grasping with the other after every means , possible and impossible , to XXXXX his peace and save his miserable life .
's blackened crossed cut growled having make prove sleep threaten