midday
To complete his strange appearance , Captain Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbled odds and ends of purposeless sea-talk . I had a line about my waist , and followed obediently after the sea-cook , who held the loose end of the rope , now in his free hand , now between his powerful teeth . For all the world , I was led like a dancing bear . The other men were variously burdened ; some carrying picks and shovels -- for that had been the very first necessary they brought ashore from the _ Hispaniola _ -- others laden with pork , bread , and brandy for the midday meal . All the stores , I observed , came from our stock , and I could see the truth of Silver 's words the night before . Had he not struck a bargain with the doctor , he and his mutineers , deserted by the ship , must have been driven to subsist on clear water , and the proceeds of their hunting . Water would have been little to their taste ; a sailor is not usually a good shot ; and , besides all that , when they were so short of eatables , it was not likely they would be very flush of powder .