Let 's allow the men an afternoon ashore . If they all go , why we 'll fight the ship . If they none of them go , well then , we hold the cabin , and God defend the right . If some go , you mark my words , sir , Silver 'll bring 'em aboard again as mild as lambs . '' It was so decided ; loaded pistols were served out to all the sure men ; Hunter , Joyce , and Redruth were taken into our confidence and received the news with less surprise and a better spirit than we had looked for , and then the captain went on deck and addressed the crew . `` My lads , '' said he , `` we 've had a hot day and are all tired and out of sorts . A turn ashore 'll hurt nobody -- the boats are still in the water ; you can take the gigs , and as many as please may go ashore for the afternoon . I 'll fire a gun half an hour before sundown . '' I believe the silly fellows must have thought they would break their shins over treasure as soon as they were landed , for they all came out of their sulks in a moment and gave a cheer that started the echo in a faraway hill and sent the birds once more flying and squalling round the anchorage . The captain was too bright to be in the way . He whipped out of sight in a moment , leaving Silver to arrange the party , and I fancy it was as well he did so . Had he been on deck , he could no longer so much as have pretended not to understand the situation . It was as plain as day . Silver was the captain , and a mighty rebellious crew he had of it . The honest hands -- and I was soon to see it proved that there were such on board -- must have been very stupid fellows . Or rather , I suppose the truth was this , that all hands were disaffected by the example of the ringleaders -- only some more , some less ; and a few , being good fellows in the main , could neither be led nor driven any further . It is one thing to be idle and skulk and quite another to take a ship and murder a number of innocent men . At last , however , the party was made up . Six fellows were to stay on board , and the remaining thirteen , including Silver , began to embark . Then it was that there came into my head the first of the mad notions that contributed so much to save our lives .
If six men were left by Silver , it was plain our party could not take and XXXXX the ship ; and since only six were left , it was equally plain that the cabin party had no present need of my assistance .
fight hurt looked made received save see squalling taken thought