Very deliberately , then , did we advance across the sand to where the doctor awaited us on the other side of the stockade , and as soon as we were within easy speaking distance Silver stopped . `` You 'll make a note of this here also , doctor , '' says he , `` and the boy 'll tell you how I saved his life , and were deposed for it too , and you may lay to that . Doctor , when a man 's steering as near the wind as me -- playing chuck-farthing with the last breath in his body , like -- you would n't think it too much , mayhap , to give him one good word ? You 'll please bear in mind it 's not my life only now -- it 's that boy 's into the bargain ; and you 'll speak me fair , doctor , and give me a bit o ' hope to go on , for the sake of mercy . '' Silver was a changed man once he was out there and had his back to his friends and the block house ; his cheeks seemed to have fallen in , his voice trembled ; never was a soul more dead in earnest . `` Why , John , you 're not afraid ? '' asked Dr. Livesey . `` Doctor , I 'm no coward ; no , not I -- not SO much ! '' and he snapped his fingers . `` If I was I would n't say it . But I 'll own up fairly , I 've the shakes upon me for the gallows . You 're a good man and a true ; I never seen a better man ! And you 'll not forget what I done good , not any more than you 'll forget the bad , I know . And I step aside -- see here -- and leave you and Jim alone . And you 'll put that down for me too , for it 's a long stretch , is that ! '' So saying , he stepped back a little way , till he was out of earshot , and there sat down upon a tree-stump and began to whistle , spinning round now and again upon his seat so as to command a sight , sometimes of me and the doctor and sometimes of his unruly ruffians as they went to and fro in the sand between the fire -- which they were busy rekindling -- and the house , from which they brought forth pork and bread to make the breakfast . `` So , Jim , '' said the doctor sadly , `` here you are . As you have brewed , so shall you drink , my boy . Heaven knows , I can not find it in my heart to blame you , but this much I will say , be it kind or unkind : when Captain Smollett was well , you dared not have gone off ; and when he was ill and could n't help it , by George , it was downright cowardly ! '' I will own that I here began to weep .
`` XXXXX , '' I said , `` you might spare me .
Doctor George Jim John Livesey Smollett earshot fire fro tree-stump