It does n't lie in human nature . Was it cheese you said he had a fancy for ? '' `` Yes , sir , cheese , '' I answered . `` Well , Jim , '' says he , `` just see the good that comes of being dainty in your food . You 've seen my snuff-box , have n't you ? And you never saw me take snuff , the reason being that in my snuff-box I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese -- a cheese made in Italy , very nutritious . Well , that 's for Ben Gunn ! '' Before supper was eaten we buried old Tom in the sand and stood round him for a while bare-headed in the breeze . A good deal of firewood had been got in , but not enough for the captain 's fancy , and he shook his head over it and told us we `` must get back to this tomorrow rather livelier . '' Then , when we had eaten our pork and each had a good stiff glass of brandy grog , the three chiefs got together in a corner to discuss our prospects . It appears they were at their wits ' end what to do , the stores being so low that we must have been starved into surrender long before help came . But our best hope , it was decided , was to kill off the buccaneers until they either hauled down their flag or ran away with the HISPANIOLA . From nineteen they were already reduced to fifteen , two others were wounded , and one at least -- the man shot beside the gun -- severely wounded , if he were not dead . Every time we had a crack at them , we were to take it , saving our own lives , with the extremest care . And besides that , we had two able allies -- rum and the climate . As for the first , though we were about half a mile away , we could hear them roaring and singing late into the night ; and as for the second , the doctor staked his wig that , camped where they were in the marsh and unprovided with remedies , the half of them would be on their backs before a week . `` So , '' he added , `` if we are not all shot down first they 'll be glad to be packing in the schooner . It 's always a ship , and they can get to buccaneering again , I suppose . '' `` First ship that ever I lost , '' said Captain Smollett . I was dead tired , as you may fancy ; and when I got to sleep , which was not till after a great deal of tossing , I slept like a log of wood .
The rest had long been up and had already breakfasted and increased the pile of XXXXX by about half as much again when I was wakened by a bustle and the sound of voices .
Gunn Italy Parmesan Smollett Tom firewood first grog snuff snuff-box