`` The gun ! '' said he . `` I have thought of that , '' said I , for I made sure he was thinking of a bombardment of the fort . `` They could never get the gun ashore , and if they did , they could never haul it through the woods . '' `` Look astern , doctor , '' replied the captain . We had entirely forgotten the long nine ; and there , to our horror , were the five rogues busy about her , getting off her jacket , as they called the stout tarpaulin cover under which she sailed . Not only that , but it flashed into my mind at the same moment that the round-shot and the powder for the gun had been left behind , and a stroke with an axe would put it all into the possession of the evil ones abroad . `` Israel was Flint 's gunner , '' said Gray hoarsely . At any risk , we put the boat 's head direct for the landing-place . By this time we had got so far out of the run of the current that we kept steerage way even at our necessarily gentle rate of rowing , and I could keep her steady for the goal . But the worst of it was that with the course I now held we turned our broadside instead of our stern to the HISPANIOLA and offered a target like a barn door . I could hear as well as see that brandy-faced rascal Israel Hands plumping down a round-shot on the deck . `` Who 's the best shot ? '' asked the captain . `` Mr. Trelawney , out and away , '' said I. `` Mr. Trelawney , will you please pick me off one of these men , sir ? Hands , if possible , '' said the captain . Trelawney was as cool as steel . He looked to the priming of his gun . `` Now , '' cried the captain , `` easy with that gun , sir , or you 'll swamp the boat . All hands stand by to trim her when he aims . ''
The squire raised his gun , the XXXXX ceased , and we leaned over to the other side to keep the balance , and all was so nicely contrived that we did not ship a drop .
Flint Gray HISPANIOLA Israel Trelawney astern left round-shot rowing steerage