`` Not it . It do n't bind no more 'n a ballad-book . '' `` Do n't it , though ? '' cried Dick with a sort of joy . `` Well , I reckon that 's worth having too . '' `` Here , Jim -- here 's a cur ` osity for you , '' said Silver , and he tossed me the paper . It was around about the size of a crown piece . One side was blank , for it had been the last leaf ; the other contained a verse or two of Revelation -- these words among the rest , which struck sharply home upon my mind : `` Without are dogs and murderers . '' The printed side had been blackened with wood ash , which already began to come off and soil my fingers ; on the blank side had been written with the same material the one word `` Depposed . '' I have that curiosity beside me at this moment , but not a trace of writing now remains beyond a single scratch , such as a man might make with his thumb-nail . That was the end of the night 's business . Soon after , with a drink all round , we lay down to sleep , and the outside of Silver 's vengeance was to put George Merry up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he should prove unfaithful . It was long ere I could close an eye , and heaven knows I had matter enough for thought in the man whom I had slain that afternoon , in my own most perilous position , and above all , in the remarkable game that I saw Silver now engaged upon -- keeping the mutineers together with one hand and grasping with the other after every means , possible and impossible , to make his peace and save his miserable life . He himself slept peacefully and snored aloud , yet my heart was sore for him , wicked as he was , to think on the dark perils that environed and the shameful gibbet that awaited him . 30 On Parole I WAS wakened -- indeed , we were all wakened , for I could see even the sentinel shake himself together from where he had fallen against the door-post -- by a clear , hearty voice hailing us from the margin of the wood : `` Block house , ahoy ! '' it cried . `` Here 's the doctor . '' And the doctor it was . Although I was glad to hear the sound , yet my gladness was not without admixture . I remembered with confusion my insubordinate and stealthy conduct , and when I saw where it had brought me -- among what companions and surrounded by what dangers -- I felt ashamed to look him in the face .
He must have risen in the dark , for the day had hardly come ; and when I ran to a loophole and looked out , I saw him standing , like XXXXX once before , up to the mid-leg in creeping vapour .
Dick Silver admixture afternoon ahoy ballad-book mutineers night osity thumb-nail