Остров сокровищ

           Iamnotgoingtorelatethatvoyageindetail.Itwasfairlyprosperous.Theshipprovedtobeagoodship,thecrewwerecapableseamen,andthecaptainthoroughlyunderstoodhisbusiness.ButbeforewecamethelengthofTreasureIsland,twoorthreethingshadhappenedwhichrequiretobeknown.

           Mr.Arrow,firstofall,turnedoutevenworsethanthecaptainhadfeared.Hehadnocommandamongthemen,andpeopledidwhattheypleasedwithhim.Butthatwasbynomeanstheworstofit,forafteradayortwoatseahebegantoappearondeckwithhazyeye,redcheeks,stutteringtongue,andothermarksofdrunkenness.Timeaftertimehewasorderedbelowindisgrace.Sometimeshefellandcuthimself;sometimeshelayalldaylonginhislittlebunkatonesideofthecompanion;sometimesforadayortwohewouldbealmostsoberandattendtohisworkatleastpassably.

           Inthemeantime,wecouldnevermakeoutwherehegotthedrink.Thatwastheship’smystery.Watchhimaswepleased,wecoulddonothingtosolveit;andwhenweaskedhimtohisface,hewouldonlylaughifheweredrunk,andifheweresoberdenysolemnlythatheevertastedanythingbutwater.

           Hewasnotonlyuselessasanofficerandabadinfluenceamongstthemen,butitwasplainthatatthisratehemustsoonkillhimselfoutright,sonobodywasmuchsurprised,norverysorry,whenonedarknight,withaheadsea,hedisappearedentirelyandwasseennomore.

           "Overboard!"saidthecaptain."Well,gentlemen,thatsavesthetroubleofputtinghiminirons."

           Buttherewewere,withoutamate;anditwasnecessary,ofcourse,toadvanceoneofthemen.