Then it had occurred to him to work upon the superstitions of his former shipmates , and he was so far successful that Gray and the doctor had come up and were already ambushed before the arrival of the treasure-hunters . `` Ah , '' said Silver , `` it were fortunate for me that I had Hawkins here . You would have let old John be cut to bits , and never given it a thought , doctor . '' `` Not a thought , '' replied Dr. Livesey cheerily . And by this time we had reached the gigs . The doctor , with the pick-axe , demolished one of them , and then we all got aboard the other and set out to go round by sea for North Inlet . This was a run of eight or nine miles . Silver , though he was almost killed already with fatigue , was set to an oar , like the rest of us , and we were soon skimming swiftly over a smooth sea . Soon we passed out of the straits and doubled the south-east corner of the island , round which , four days ago , we had towed the HISPANIOLA . As we passed the two-pointed hill , we could see the black mouth of Ben Gunn 's cave and a figure standing by it , leaning on a musket . It was the squire , and we waved a handkerchief and gave him three cheers , in which the voice of Silver joined as heartily as any . Three miles farther , just inside the mouth of North Inlet , what should we meet but the HISPANIOLA , cruising by herself ? The last flood had lifted her , and had there been much wind or a strong tide current , as in the southern anchorage , we should never have found her more , or found her stranded beyond help . As it was , there was little amiss beyond the wreck of the main-sail . Another anchor was got ready and dropped in a fathom and a half of water . We all pulled round again to Rum Cove , the nearest point for Ben Gunn 's treasure-house ; and then Gray , single-handed , returned with the gig to the HISPANIOLA , where he was to pass the night on guard . A gentle slope ran up from the beach to the entrance of the cave . At the top , the squire met us . To me he was cordial and kind , saying nothing of my escapade either in the way of blame or praise . At Silver 's polite salute he somewhat flushed .
`` John XXXXX , '' he said , `` you 're a prodigious villain and imposter -- a monstrous imposter , sir .
Gunn HISPANIOLA Hawkins Inlet Silver flood gigs main-sail night treasure-house