`` Do n't you take on , sir , '' he said , shaking the squire 's hand . `` All 's well with him ; no fear for a hand that 's been shot down in his duty to captain and owner . It may n't be good divinity , but it 's a fact . '' Then he pulled me aside . `` Dr. Livesey , '' he said , `` in how many weeks do you and squire expect the consort ? '' I told him it was a question not of weeks but of months , that if we were not back by the end of August Blandly was to send to find us , but neither sooner nor later . `` You can calculate for yourself , '' I said . `` Why , yes , '' returned the captain , scratching his head ; `` and making a large allowance , sir , for all the gifts of Providence , I should say we were pretty close hauled . '' `` How do you mean ? '' I asked . `` It 's a pity , sir , we lost that second load . That 's what I mean , '' replied the captain . `` As for powder and shot , we 'll do . But the rations are short , very short -- so short , Dr. Livesey , that we 're perhaps as well without that extra mouth . '' And he pointed to the dead body under the flag . Just then , with a roar and a whistle , a round-shot passed high above the roof of the log-house and plumped far beyond us in the wood . `` Oho ! '' said the captain . `` Blaze away ! You 've little enough powder already , my lads . ''
At the XXXXX trial , the aim was better , and the ball descended inside the stockade , scattering a cloud of sand but doing no further damage .
Dr. Livesey Oho Providence fear months powder round-shot second weeks