That ai n't in natur ' , surely ? '' This argument seemed weak enough to me . But you can never tell what will affect the superstitious , and to my wonder , George Merry was greatly relieved . `` Well , that 's so , '' he said . `` You 've a head upon your shoulders , John , and no mistake . ` Bout ship , mates ! This here crew is on a wrong tack , I do believe . And come to think on it , it was like Flint 's voice , I grant you , but not just so clear-away like it , after all . It was liker somebody else 's voice now -- it was liker -- '' `` By the powers , Ben Gunn ! '' roared Silver . `` Aye , and so it were , '' cried Morgan , springing on his knees . `` Ben Gunn it were ! '' `` It do n't make much odds , do it , now ? '' asked Dick . `` Ben Gunn 's not here in the body any more 'n Flint . '' But the older hands greeted this remark with scorn . `` Why , nobody minds Ben Gunn , '' cried Merry ; `` dead or alive , nobody minds him . '' It was extraordinary how their spirits had returned and how the natural colour had revived in their faces . Soon they were chatting together , with intervals of listening ; and not long after , hearing no further sound , they shouldered the tools and set forth again , Merry walking first with Silver 's compass to keep them on the right line with Skeleton Island . He had said the truth : dead or alive , nobody minded Ben Gunn .
XXXXX alone still held his Bible , and looked around him as he went , with fearful glances ; but he found no sympathy , and Silver even joked him on his precautions .
Dick Flint Island John Merry Morgan Silver colour liker natur