same as
the t'other three. There be no help for't, if we don't want to have
hemp roun' our thrapples."

"I suppose you're right, Striker; though it does seem a pity too. But
what reason have the Spaniards for keepin' the thing back? Why should
they wait till we get down by Panama? As the yellow stuff's lyin'
ready, sure it might be grabbed at once, an' then we'd have more time to
talk of how it's to be divided? What's the difficulty about our taking
it now?"

"'Tant the takin' o' it. That'll be eezy work; an' when the time comes,
we'll have it all our own way. We could toss the four overboard in the
skippin' o' a flea. But then, how's the ship to be navvygated without
the skipper an' first mate?"

"Surely we can do without them?"

"That's jest what we can't. O' all our crew, theer's only them two as
hev the knowledge o' charts an' chronometers, an' the like; for him as
is actin' second confesses he don't know nothin' 'bout sich. Tharfor,
though we're in a good sound craft, without the skipper, or Blew, we'd
be most as good as helpless. We're now on the biggest o' all oceans,
an' if we stood on the wrong tack, we might niver set eyes on land--or
only to be cast away on some dangersome shore. Or, what 'ud be bad as
eyther, get overhauled by some man-o'-war, an' not able to gie account
o' ourselves. Theer's the diffyculty, don't 'ee see, Bill? For thet
reezun the Spanyards have agreed to let things alone till we've ran down
nigh Panyma. Theer Gomez says he knows o' a long streetch o'
uninhabited coast, where we'll be safe goin' ashore."

"Well, I suppose that'll be the best way, after all. If a man has the
money, it don't make much difference where he sets foot on shore; an' no
doubt we'll find sport down at Panyma, good as anywheres else."

"Theer ye be right, Bill. When a cove's flush there's pleasurin'
iverywhere. Goold's the only thing as gives it."

"With the prospect of such big plunder, we can afford to be patient,"
says Davis resignedly.

"I an't agoin' to be patient for the paltry five thousand they promised.
No, Bill; neyther must you. We've equal rights wi' the rest, an' we
must stan' out for 'em."

"Soon as you say the word, Jack, I'm at your back. So'll all the
others, who're in the same boat with ourselves."

"They oughter, an' belike will; tho' theer's a weak-witted fool or two
as may take talkin' into it. I means to go at 'em the night, soon's
I've finished my trick at the