And then , making a great effort : `` Shipmates , '' he cried , `` I 'm here to get that stuff , and I 'll not be beat by man or devil . I never was feared of Flint in his life , and , by the powers , I 'll face him dead . There 's seven hundred thousand pound not a quarter of a mile from here . When did ever a gentleman o ' fortune show his stern to that much dollars for a boozy old seaman with a blue mug -- and him dead too ? '' But there was no sign of reawakening courage in his followers , rather , indeed , of growing terror at the irreverence of his words . `` Belay there , John ! '' said Merry . `` Do n't you cross a sperrit . '' And the rest were all too terrified to reply . They would have run away severally had they dared ; but fear kept them together , and kept them close by John , as if his daring helped them . He , on his part , had pretty well fought his weakness down . `` Sperrit ? Well , maybe , '' he said . `` But there 's one thing not clear to me . There was an echo . Now , no man ever seen a sperrit with a shadow ; well then , what 's he doing with an echo to him , I should like to know ? That ai n't in natur ' , surely ? '' This argument seemed weak enough to me . But you can never tell what will affect the superstitious , and to my wonder , George Merry was greatly relieved . `` Well , that 's so , '' he said .
`` You 've a head upon your shoulders , XXXXX , and no mistake .
Belay Flint John Merry Sperrit natur pound powers quarter stuff