You see , sir , here it is . I get a rough answer , do I not ? Well , if I speak back , pikes will be going in two shakes ; if I do n't , Silver will see there 's something under that , and the game 's up . Now , we 've only one man to rely on . '' `` And who is that ? '' asked the squire . `` Silver , sir , '' returned the captain ; `` he 's as anxious as you and I to smother things up . This is a tiff ; he 'd soon talk 'em out of it if he had the chance , and what I propose to do is to give him the chance . Let 's allow the men an afternoon ashore . If they all go , why we 'll fight the ship . If they none of them go , well then , we hold the cabin , and God defend the right . If some go , you mark my words , sir , Silver 'll bring 'em aboard again as mild as lambs . '' It was so decided ; loaded pistols were served out to all the sure men ; Hunter , Joyce , and Redruth were taken into our confidence and received the news with less surprise and a better spirit than we had looked for , and then the captain went on deck and addressed the crew . `` My lads , '' said he , `` we 've had a hot day and are all tired and out of sorts . A turn ashore 'll hurt nobody -- the boats are still in the water ; you can take the gigs , and as many as please may go ashore for the afternoon . I 'll fire a gun half an hour before sundown . '' I believe the silly fellows must have thought they would break their shins over treasure as soon as they were landed , for they all came out of their sulks in a moment and gave a cheer that started the echo in a faraway hill and sent the birds once more flying and squalling round the anchorage . The captain was too bright to be in the way . He whipped out of sight in a moment , leaving Silver to arrange the party , and I fancy it was as well he did so . Had he been on deck , he could no longer so much as have pretended not to understand the situation .
It was as plain as XXXXX .
Hunter Joyce Redruth Silver afternoon day fire gigs right tiff