`` You can calculate for yourself , '' I said . `` Why , yes , '' returned the captain , scratching his head ; `` and making a large allowance , sir , for all the gifts of Providence , I should say we were pretty close hauled . '' `` How do you mean ? '' I asked . `` It 's a pity , sir , we lost that second load . That 's what I mean , '' replied the captain . `` As for powder and shot , we 'll do . But the rations are short , very short -- so short , Dr. Livesey , that we 're perhaps as well without that extra mouth . '' And he pointed to the dead body under the flag . Just then , with a roar and a whistle , a round-shot passed high above the roof of the log-house and plumped far beyond us in the wood . `` Oho ! '' said the captain . `` Blaze away ! You 've little enough powder already , my lads . '' At the second trial , the aim was better , and the ball descended inside the stockade , scattering a cloud of sand but doing no further damage . `` Captain , '' said the squire , `` the house is quite invisible from the ship . It must be the flag they are aiming at . Would it not be wiser to take it in ? '' `` Strike my colours ! '' cried the captain .
`` No , sir , not I '' ; and as soon as he had XXXXX the words , I think we all agreed with him .
've calculate doing hauled mean returned said say scratching take