Остров сокровищ

           Thestrangerkepthangingaboutjustinsidetheinndoor,peeringroundthecornerlikeacatwaitingforamouse.OnceIsteppedoutmyselfintotheroad,butheimmediatelycalledmeback,andasIdidnotobeyquickenoughforhisfancy,amosthorriblechangecameoverhistallowyface,andheorderedmeinwithanoaththatmademejump.AssoonasIwasbackagainhereturnedtohisformermanner,halffawning,halfsneering,pattedmeontheshoulder,toldmeIwasagoodboyandhehadtakenquiteafancytome."Ihaveasonofmyown,"saidhe,"aslikeyouastwoblocks,andhe’salltheprideofmy’art.Butthegreatthingforboysisdiscipline,sonny—discipline.Now,ifyouhadsailedalongofBill,youwouldn’thavestoodtheretobespoketotwice—notyou.ThatwasneverBill’sway,northewayofsichassailedwithhim.Andhere,sureenough,ismymateBill,withaspy-glassunderhisarm,blesshisold’art,tobesure.Youandme’lljustgobackintotheparlour,sonny,andgetbehindthedoor,andwe’llgiveBillalittlesurprise—blesshis’art,Isayagain."

           Sosaying,thestrangerbackedalongwithmeintotheparlourandputmebehindhiminthecornersothatwewerebothhiddenbytheopendoor.Iwasveryuneasyandalarmed,asyoumayfancy,anditratheraddedtomyfearstoobservethatthestrangerwascertainlyfrightenedhimself.Heclearedthehiltofhiscutlassandloosenedthebladeinthesheath;andallthetimewewerewaitingtherehekeptswallowingasifhefeltwhatweusedtocallalumpinthethroat.

           Atlastinstrodethecaptain,slammedthedoorbehindhim,withoutlookingtotherightorleft,andmarchedstraightacrosstheroomtowherehisbreakfastawaitedhim.

           "Bill,"saidthestrangerinavoicethatIthoughthehadtriedtomakeboldandbig.