英语小说网

"I don't like this voyage," he told us. "I don't like the men, and I don't like my first officer."

We went out to the His paniola in a small boat. Mr Arrow met us, and it was clear that he and the squire were very friendly. But things were not the same between Mr Trelawney and the captain. Captain Smollett seemed angry with everybody on board, and told us why.

"Possibly, sir, you don't like your employer either?" said the squire.

"Now, now, let's not argue," said Dr Livesey. He turned to the captain. "You say you don't like this voyage," he said. "Please explain."

"Perhaps, sir, you don't like the ship?" said the squire, angrily.

"I can't say that, sir, as I haven't yet sailed her," replied the captain. "She seems a good ship."

"I was employed, sir," said the captain, "on secret orders, and to sail this ship where that gentleman ordered me to sail it. Now I find every other man on this ship knows more than I do. I don't call that fair, do you?"

"No," said Dr Livesey, "I don't."

"Next," said the captain, "I learn we are going to look for treasure -- hear it from my own crew! Now, I don't like treasure voyages at the best of times, and I certainly don't like them when they are secret. Also, a captain is usually allowed to choose his own crew."

"That's true," agreed the doctor. "And you don't like Mr Arrow?"

"First of all, the men are putting the powder and weapons in the front of the ship," said the captain. "Now, you have a good place under the cabin. Why not put them there? Second, you are bringing four of your own people. Let them sleep here beside the cabin."

"No, sir," replied Captain Smollett. "He's too friendly with the crew."

"Only one thing, sir," said the captain. "There's been too much talking already. I'll tell you what I've heard. That you have a map of an island; that there's crosses on the map to show where treasure is; and that the island is --" Then he told us the exact place.

"Tell us what you want," said the doctor.

"The crew know it, sir," replied the captain. "I don't know who has this map, but I want it to be kept secret, even from me and Mr Arrow. If not, I will ask you to let me leave the ship."

"I never told that to anyone!" cried the squire.

"You want us to keep all this a secret," said the doctor, "and you want all the weapons and powder to be kept near us. In other words, you fear a mutiny."

"What else?" asked Mr Trelawney.

"What's this?" he wanted to know.

"I did not say that, sir," replied Captain Smollett. "No captain could go to sea believing that." And he went away.

"Well," said the doctor, "we shall see."

"Trelawney," said the doctor, "I believe you have managed to get two honest men on board -- that man, and John Silver."

"Silver, yes," said the squire, "but the captain acts neither like a man, nor a good seaman!"

We were moving the weapons and powder when Long John came aboard. The cook came up the side as quick as a monkey and saw what we were doing.

"Yes, sir," said the cook, and disappeared quickly.

"That may be, sir," replied Captain Smollett.

"My orders," said the captain, coldly. "You may go below, my man. The crew will want supper."

"That's a good man, captain," said the doctor.