The Voyage

           Allthatnightwewereinagreatbustlegettingthingsstowedintheirplace,andboatfulsofthesquire’sfriends,Mr.Blandlyandthelike,comingofftowishhimagoodvoyageandasafereturn.WeneverhadanightattheAdmiralBenbowwhenIhadhalfthework;andIwasdog-tiredwhen,alittlebeforedawn,theboatswainsoundedhispipeandthecrewbegantomanthecapstan-bars.Imighthavebeentwiceasweary,yetIwouldnothaveleftthedeck,allwassonewandinterestingtome—thebriefcommands,theshrillnoteofthewhistle,themenbustlingtotheirplacesintheglimmeroftheship’slanterns.

           "Now,Barbecue,tipusastave,"criedonevoice.

           "Theoldone,"criedanother.

           "Aye,aye,mates,"saidLongJohn,whowasstandingby,withhiscrutchunderhisarm,andatoncebrokeoutintheairandwordsIknewsowell:

           "Fifteenmenonthedeadman’schest—"

           Andthenthewholecrewborechorus:—

           "Yo-ho-ho,andabottleofrum!"

           Andatthethird"Ho!"drovethebarsbeforethemwithawill.

           EvenatthatexcitingmomentitcarriedmebacktotheoldAdmiralBenbowinasecond,andIseemedtohearthevoiceofthecaptainpipinginthechorus.Butsoontheanchorwasshortup;soonitwashangingdrippingatthebows;soonthesailsbegantodraw,andthelandandshippingtoflitbyoneitherside;andbeforeIcouldliedowntosnatchanhourofslumbertheHispaniolahadbegunhervoyagetotheIsleofTreasure.