My first mind was to run away ; my second was bolder . `` Captain , '' said I , `` the gentleman is seeking a dram , and the bottle 's out . Will you give me the key ? '' They all started and turned about . `` Why , here 's our chance to get the firearms ! '' Riach cried ; and then to me : `` Hark ye , David , '' he said , `` do ye ken where the pistols are ? '' `` Ay , ay , '' put in Hoseason . `` David kens ; David 's a good lad . Ye see , David my man , yon wild Hielandman is a danger to the ship , besides being a rank foe to King George , God bless him ! '' I had never been so be-Davided since I came on board : but I said Yes , as if all I heard were quite natural . `` The trouble is , '' resumed the captain , `` that all our firelocks , great and little , are in the round-house under this man 's nose ; likewise the powder . Now , if I , or one of the officers , was to go in and take them , he would fall to thinking . But a lad like you , David , might snap up a horn and a pistol or two without remark . And if ye can do it cleverly , I 'll bear it in mind when it 'll be good for you to have friends ; and that 's when we come to Carolina . '' Here Mr. Riach whispered him a little . `` Very right , sir , '' said the captain ; and then to myself : `` And see here , David , yon man has a beltful of gold , and I give you my word that you shall have your fingers in it . '' I told him I would do as he wished , though indeed I had scarce breath to speak with ; and upon that he gave me the key of the spirit locker , and I began to go slowly back to the round-house . What was I to do ? They were dogs and thieves ; they had stolen me from my own country ; they had killed poor Ransome ; and was I to hold the candle to another murder ? But then , upon the other hand , there was the fear of death very plain before me ; for what could a boy and a man , if they were as brave as lions , against a whole ship 's company ?
I was still arguing it back and forth , and getting no great clearness , when I came into the XXXXX and saw the Jacobite eating his supper under the lamp ; and at that my mind was made up all in a moment .
Ay Captain George Hoseason Ransome Riach fall firelocks kens round-house