`` He war n't no seaman anyhow . And where mought you have come from ? '' `` Well , '' said I , `` I 've come aboard to take possession of this ship , Mr. Hands ; and you 'll please regard me as your captain until further notice . '' He looked at me sourly enough but said nothing . Some of the colour had come back into his cheeks , though he still looked very sick and still continued to slip out and settle down as the ship banged about . `` By the by , '' I continued , `` I ca n't have these colours , Mr. Hands ; and by your leave , I 'll strike 'em . Better none than these . '' And again dodging the boom , I ran to the colour lines , handed down their cursed black flag , and chucked it overboard . `` God save the king ! '' said I , waving my cap . `` And there 's an end to Captain Silver ! '' He watched me keenly and slyly , his chin all the while on his breast . `` I reckon , '' he said at last , `` I reckon , Cap'n Hawkins , you 'll kind of want to get ashore now . S'pose we talks . '' `` Why , yes , '' says I , `` with all my heart , Mr. Hands . Say on . '' And I went back to my meal with a good appetite . `` This man , '' he began , nodding feebly at the corpse '' -- O'Brien were his name , a rank Irelander -- this man and me got the canvas on her , meaning for to sail her back . Well , HE 'S dead now , he is -- as dead as bilge ; and who 's to sail this ship , I do n't see . Without I gives you a hint , you ai n't that man , as far 's I can tell .
Now , look here , you XXXXX me food and drink and a old scarf or ankecher to tie my wound up , you do , and I 'll tell you how to sail her , and that 's about square all round , I take it . ''
Say come gives looked ran reckon said save strike waving