Billy Bones was the mate ; Long John , he was quartermaster ; and they asked him where the treasure was . ` Ah , ' says he , ` you can go ashore , if you like , and stay , ' he says ; ` but as for the ship , she 'll beat up for more , by thunder ! ' That 's what he said . `` Well , I was in another ship three years back , and we sighted this island . ` Boys , ' said I , ` here 's Flint 's treasure ; let 's land and find it . ' The cap'n was displeased at that , but my messmates were all of a mind and landed . Twelve days they looked for it , and every day they had the worse word for me , until one fine morning all hands went aboard . ` As for you , Benjamin Gunn , ' says they , ` here 's a musket , ' they says , ` and a spade , and pick-axe . You can stay here and find Flint 's money for yourself , ' they says . `` Well , Jim , three years have I been here , and not a bite of Christian diet from that day to this . But now , you look here ; look at me . Do I look like a man before the mast ? No , says you . Nor I were n't , neither , I says . '' And with that he winked and pinched me hard . `` 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 : XXXXX 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 . ''
Christian Flint Gunn Jim John day days messmates morning pick-axe