From the ship we could see nothing of the house or stockade , for they were quite buried among trees ; and if it had not been for the chart on the companion , we might have been the first that had ever anchored there since the island arose out of the seas . There was not a breath of air moving , nor a sound but that of the surf booming half a mile away along the beaches and against the rocks outside . A peculiar stagnant smell hung over the anchorage -- a smell of sodden leaves and rotting tree trunks . I observed the doctor sniffing and sniffing , like someone tasting a bad egg . `` I do n't know about treasure , '' he said , `` but I 'll stake my wig there 's fever here . '' If the conduct of the men had been alarming in the boat , it became truly threatening when they had come aboard . They lay about the deck growling together in talk . The slightest order was received with a black look and grudgingly and carelessly obeyed . Even the honest hands must have caught the infection , for there was not one man aboard to mend another . Mutiny , it was plain , hung over us like a thunder-cloud . And it was not only we of the cabin party who perceived the danger . Long John was hard at work going from group to group , spending himself in good advice , and as for example no man could have shown a better . He fairly outstripped himself in willingness and civility ; he was all smiles to everyone . If an order were given , John would be on his crutch in an instant , with the cheeriest `` Aye , aye , sir ! '' in the world ; and when there was nothing else to do , he kept up one song after another , as if to conceal the discontent of the rest . Of all the gloomy features of that gloomy afternoon , this obvious anxiety on the part of Long John appeared the worst . We held a council in the cabin . `` Sir , '' said the captain , `` if I risk another order , the whole ship 'll come about our ears by the run . You see , sir , here it is . I get a rough answer , do I not ?
Well , if I speak back , pikes will be going in two shakes ; if I do n't , Silver will XXXXX there 's something under that , and the game 's up .
anchored arose caught given hung lay mend said see spending