`` Lillibullero '' was dropped again ; and just before we lost sight of them behind the little point , one of them whipped ashore and disappeared . I had half a mind to change my plan and destroy their boats , but I feared that Silver and the others might be close at hand , and all might very well be lost by trying for too much . We had soon touched land in the same place as before and set to provision the block house . All three made the first journey , heavily laden , and tossed our stores over the palisade . Then , leaving Joyce to guard them -- one man , to be sure , but with half a dozen muskets -- Hunter and I returned to the jolly-boat and loaded ourselves once more . So we proceeded without pausing to take breath , till the whole cargo was bestowed , when the two servants took up their position in the block house , and I , with all my power , sculled back to the HISPANIOLA . That we should have risked a second boat load seems more daring than it really was . They had the advantage of numbers , of course , but we had the advantage of arms . Not one of the men ashore had a musket , and before they could get within range for pistol shooting , we flattered ourselves we should be able to give a good account of a half-dozen at least . The squire was waiting for me at the stern window , all his faintness gone from him . He caught the painter and made it fast , and we fell to loading the boat for our very lives . Pork , powder , and biscuit was the cargo , with only a musket and a cutlass apiece for the squire and me and Redruth and the captain . The rest of the arms and powder we dropped overboard in two fathoms and a half of water , so that we could see the bright steel shining far below us in the sun , on the clean , sandy bottom . By this time the tide was beginning to ebb , and the ship was swinging round to her anchor . Voices were heard faintly halloaing in the direction of the two gigs ; and though this reassured us for Joyce and Hunter , who were well to the eastward , it warned our party to be off . Redruth retreated from his place in the gallery and dropped into the boat , which we then brought round to the ship 's counter , to be handier for Captain Smollett . `` Now , men , '' said he , `` do you hear me ? '' There was no answer from the forecastle . `` It 's to you , Abraham Gray -- it 's to you I am speaking . '' Still no reply .
`` Gray , '' resumed Mr. XXXXX , a little louder , `` I am leaving this ship , and I order you to follow your captain .
Gray Hunter Joyce Lillibullero Smollett forecastle gigs jolly-boat palisade second