`` Just you mention them words to your squire , Jim , '' he went on . `` Nor he were n't , neither -- that 's the words . Three years he were the man of this island , light and dark , fair and rain ; and sometimes he would maybe think upon a prayer -LRB- says you -RRB- , and sometimes he would maybe think of his old mother , so be as she 's alive -LRB- you 'll say -RRB- ; but the most part of Gunn 's time -LRB- this is what you 'll say -RRB- -- the most part of his time was took up with another matter . And then you 'll give him a nip , like I do . '' And he pinched me again in the most confidential manner . `` Then , '' he continued , `` then you 'll up , and you 'll say this : Gunn is a good man -LRB- you 'll say -RRB- , and he puts a precious sight more confidence -- a precious sight , mind that -- in a gen ` leman born than in these gen ` leman of fortune , having been one hisself . '' `` Well , '' I said , `` I do n't understand one word that you 've been saying . But that 's neither here nor there ; for how am I to get on board ? '' `` Ah , '' said he , `` that 's the hitch , for sure . Well , there 's my boat , that I made with my two hands . I keep her under the white rock . If the worst come to the worst , we might try that after dark . Hi ! '' he broke out . `` What 's that ? '' For just then , although the sun had still an hour or two to run , all the echoes of the island awoke and bellowed to the thunder of a cannon . `` They have begun to fight ! '' I cried . `` Follow me . '' And I began to run towards the anchorage , my terrors all forgotten , while close at my side the marooned man in his goatskins trotted easily and lightly .
`` Left , left , '' says he ; `` keep to your left hand , mate XXXXX !
Gunn Jim boat gen goatskins hour leman light terrors years