Are we a-going to waste a hostage ? No , not us ; he might be our last chance , and I should n't wonder . Kill that boy ? Not me , mates ! And number three ? Ah , well , there 's a deal to say to number three . Maybe you do n't count it nothing to have a real college doctor to see you every day -- you , John , with your head broke -- or you , George Merry , that had the ague shakes upon you not six hours agone , and has your eyes the colour of lemon peel to this same moment on the clock ? And maybe , perhaps , you did n't know there was a consort coming either ? But there is , and not so long till then ; and we 'll see who 'll be glad to have a hostage when it comes to that . And as for number two , and why I made a bargain -- well , you came crawling on your knees to me to make it -- on your knees you came , you was that downhearted -- and you 'd have starved too if I had n't -- but that 's a trifle ! You look there -- that 's why ! '' And he cast down upon the floor a paper that I instantly recognized -- none other than the chart on yellow paper , with the three red crosses , that I had found in the oilcloth at the bottom of the captain 's chest . Why the doctor had given it to him was more than I could fancy . But if it were inexplicable to me , the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers . They leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse . It went from hand to hand , one tearing it from another ; and by the oaths and the cries and the childish laughter with which they accompanied their examination , you would have thought , not only they were fingering the very gold , but were at sea with it , besides , in safety . `` Yes , '' said one , `` that 's Flint , sure enough . J. F. , and a score below , with a clove hitch to it ; so he done ever . '' `` Mighty pretty , '' said George . `` But how are we to get away with it , and us no ship . ''
Silver suddenly sprang up , and supporting himself with a hand against the wall : `` Now I give you warning , XXXXX , '' he cried .
George John Merry captain colour day hours mutineers paper ship