Another time he came and was silent for a while . Then he put his head on one side , and looked at me . `` Is this Ben Gunn a man ? '' he asked . `` I do not know , sir , '' said I. `` I am not very sure whether he 's sane . '' `` If there 's any doubt about the matter , he is , '' returned the doctor . `` A man who has been three years biting his nails on a desert island , Jim , ca n't expect to appear as sane as you or me . It does n't lie in human nature . Was it cheese you said he had a fancy for ? '' `` Yes , sir , cheese , '' I answered . `` Well , Jim , '' says he , `` just see the good that comes of being dainty in your food . You 've seen my snuff-box , have n't you ? And you never saw me take snuff , the reason being that in my snuff-box I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese -- a cheese made in Italy , very nutritious . Well , that 's for Ben Gunn ! '' Before supper was eaten we buried old Tom in the sand and stood round him for a while bare-headed in the breeze . A good deal of firewood had been got in , but not enough for the captain 's fancy , and he shook his head over it and told us we `` must get back to this tomorrow rather livelier . '' Then , when we had eaten our pork and each had a good stiff glass of brandy grog , the three chiefs got together in a corner to discuss our prospects . It appears they were at their wits ' end what to do , the stores being so low that we must have been starved into surrender long before help came . But our best hope , it was decided , was to kill off the buccaneers until they either hauled down their flag or ran away with the HISPANIOLA . From nineteen they were already reduced to fifteen , two others were wounded , and one at least -- the man shot beside the gun -- severely wounded , if he were not dead .
Every time we had a crack at them , we were to XXXXX it , saving our own lives , with the extremest care .
's appears kill looked returned saw shook take told wounded