All I ask is your word , Cap'n Smollett , to let me safe and sound out of this here stockade , and one minute to get out o ' shot before a gun is fired . '' `` My man , '' said Captain Smollett , `` I have not the slightest desire to talk to you . If you wish to talk to me , you can come , that 's all . If there 's any treachery , it 'll be on your side , and the Lord help you . '' `` That 's enough , cap'n , '' shouted Long John cheerily . `` A word from you 's enough . I know a gentleman , and you may lay to that . '' We could see the man who carried the flag of truce attempting to hold Silver back . Nor was that wonderful , seeing how cavalier had been the captain 's answer . But Silver laughed at him aloud and slapped him on the back as if the idea of alarm had been absurd . Then he advanced to the stockade , threw over his crutch , got a leg up , and with great vigour and skill succeeded in surmounting the fence and dropping safely to the other side . I will confess that I was far too much taken up with what was going on to be of the slightest use as sentry ; indeed , I had already deserted my eastern loophole and crept up behind the captain , who had now seated himself on the threshold , with his elbows on his knees , his head in his hands , and his eyes fixed on the water as it bubbled out of the old iron kettle in the sand . He was whistling `` Come , Lasses and Lads . '' Silver had terrible hard work getting up the knoll . What with the steepness of the incline , the thick tree stumps , and the soft sand , he and his crutch were as helpless as a ship in stays . But he stuck to it like a man in silence , and at last arrived before the captain , whom he saluted in the handsomest style . He was tricked out in his best ; an immense blue coat , thick with brass buttons , hung as low as to his knees , and a fine laced hat was set on the back of his head . `` Here you are , my man , '' said the captain , raising his head . `` You had better sit down . '' `` You ai n't a-going to let me inside , cap'n ? ''
complained Long XXXXX .
John Lads Smollett back fence knoll minute steepness treachery vigour