cried Silver , leaping back a yard , as it seemed to me , with the speed and security of a trained gymnast . `` Hands off , if you like , John Silver , '' said the other . `` It 's a black conscience that can make you feared of me . But in heaven 's name , tell me , what was that ? '' `` That ? '' returned Silver , smiling away , but warier than ever , his eye a mere pin-point in his big face , but gleaming like a crumb of glass . `` That ? Oh , I reckon that 'll be Alan . '' And at this point Tom flashed out like a hero . `` Alan ! '' he cried . `` Then rest his soul for a true seaman ! And as for you , John Silver , long you 've been a mate of mine , but you 're mate of mine no more . If I die like a dog , I 'll die in my dooty . You 've killed Alan , have you ? Kill me too , if you can . But I defies you . '' And with that , this brave fellow turned his back directly on the cook and set off walking for the beach . But he was not destined to go far . With a cry John seized the branch of a tree , whipped the crutch out of his armpit , and sent that uncouth missile hurtling through the air .
It struck poor XXXXX , point foremost , and with stunning violence , right between the shoulders in the middle of his back .
Alan John Silver Tom back crutch dooty eye gymnast speed