They lay about the deck growling together in talk . The slightest order was received with a black look and grudgingly and carelessly obeyed . Even the honest hands must have caught the infection , for there was not one man aboard to mend another . Mutiny , it was plain , hung over us like a thunder-cloud . And it was not only we of the cabin party who perceived the danger . Long John was hard at work going from group to group , spending himself in good advice , and as for example no man could have shown a better . He fairly outstripped himself in willingness and civility ; he was all smiles to everyone . If an order were given , John would be on his crutch in an instant , with the cheeriest `` Aye , aye , sir ! '' in the world ; and when there was nothing else to do , he kept up one song after another , as if to conceal the discontent of the rest . Of all the gloomy features of that gloomy afternoon , this obvious anxiety on the part of Long John appeared the worst . We held a council in the cabin . `` Sir , '' said the captain , `` if I risk another order , the whole ship 'll come about our ears by the run . 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 XXXXX ashore .
Aye John Silver afternoon discontent infection pikes thunder-cloud tiff willingness