They had set me with my back against the wall , and I stood there , looking Silver in the face , pluckily enough , I hope , to all outward appearance , but with black despair in my heart . Silver took a whiff or two of his pipe with great composure and then ran on again . `` Now , you see , Jim , so be as you ARE here , '' says he , `` I 'll give you a piece of my mind . I 've always liked you , I have , for a lad of spirit , and the picter of my own self when I was young and handsome . I always wanted you to jine and take your share , and die a gentleman , and now , my cock , you 've got to . Cap'n Smollett 's a fine seaman , as I 'll own up to any day , but stiff on discipline . ` Dooty is dooty , ' says he , and right he is . Just you keep clear of the cap'n . The doctor himself is gone dead again you -- ` ungrateful scamp ' was what he said ; and the short and the long of the whole story is about here : you ca n't go back to your own lot , for they wo n't have you ; and without you start a third ship 's company all by yourself , which might be lonely , you 'll have to jine with Cap'n Silver . '' So far so good . My friends , then , were still alive , and though I partly believed the truth of Silver 's statement , that the cabin party were incensed at me for my desertion , I was more relieved than distressed by what I heard . `` I do n't say nothing as to your being in our hands , '' continued Silver , `` though there you are , and you may lay to it . I 'm all for argyment ; I never seen good come out o ' threatening . If you like the service , well , you 'll jine ; and if you do n't , Jim , why , you 're free to answer no -- free and welcome , shipmate ; and if fairer can be said by mortal seaman , shiver my sides ! '' `` Am I to answer , then ? '' I asked with a very tremulous voice . Through all this sneering talk , I was made to feel the threat of death that overhung me , and my cheeks burned and my heart beat painfully in my breast . `` Lad , '' said Silver , `` no one 's a-pressing of you . Take your bearings . None of us wo n't hurry you , mate ; time goes so pleasant in your company , you see . ''
`` Well , '' says I , growing a bit bolder , `` if I 'm to choose , I declare I have a XXXXX to know what 's what , and why you 're here , and where my friends are . ''
Dooty Jim Silver Smollett a-pressing argyment day jine right third