I guess Hands and O'Brien turned soft . I never much believed in neither of THEM . Now you mark me . I ask no questions , nor I wo n't let others . I know when a game 's up , I do ; and I know a lad that 's staunch . Ah , you that 's young -- you and me might have done a power of good together ! '' He drew some cognac from the cask into a tin cannikin . `` Will you taste , messmate ? '' he asked ; and when I had refused : `` Well , I 'll take a drain myself , Jim , '' said he . `` I need a caulker , for there 's trouble on hand . And talking o ' trouble , why did that doctor give me the chart , Jim ? '' My face expressed a wonder so unaffected that he saw the needlessness of further questions . `` Ah , well , he did , though , '' said he . `` And there 's something under that , no doubt -- something , surely , under that , Jim -- bad or good . '' And he took another swallow of the brandy , shaking his great fair head like a man who looks forward to the worst . 29 The Black Spot Again THE council of buccaneers had lasted some time , when one of them re-entered the house , and with a repetition of the same salute , which had in my eyes an ironical air , begged for a moment 's loan of the torch . Silver briefly agreed , and this emissary retired again , leaving us together in the dark . `` There 's a breeze coming , Jim , '' said Silver , who had by this time adopted quite a friendly and familiar tone . I turned to the loophole nearest me and looked out . The embers of the great fire had so far burned themselves out and now glowed so low and duskily that I understood why these conspirators desired a torch .
About half-way down the slope to the stockade , they were collected in a group ; one held the light , another was on his knees in their midst , and I XXXXX the blade of an open knife shine in his hand with varying colours in the moon and torchlight .
's believed desired looked looks re-entered retired said saw understood