`` That ? Oh , I reckon that 'll be Alan . '' And at this point Tom flashed out like a hero . `` Alan ! '' he cried . `` Then rest his soul for a true seaman ! And as for you , John Silver , long you 've been a mate of mine , but you 're mate of mine no more . If I die like a dog , I 'll die in my dooty . You 've killed Alan , have you ? Kill me too , if you can . But I defies you . '' And with that , this brave fellow turned his back directly on the cook and set off walking for the beach . But he was not destined to go far . With a cry John seized the branch of a tree , whipped the crutch out of his armpit , and sent that uncouth missile hurtling through the air . It struck poor Tom , point foremost , and with stunning violence , right between the shoulders in the middle of his back . His hands flew up , he gave a sort of gasp , and fell . Whether he were injured much or little , none could ever tell . Like enough , to judge from the sound , his back was broken on the spot . But he had no time given him to recover . Silver , agile as a monkey even without leg or crutch , was on the top of him next moment and had twice buried his knife up to the hilt in that defenceless body .
From my place of ambush , I could hear him pant aloud as he XXXXX the blows .
broken fell flew gave hurtling injured recover sent struck whipped