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Nearby, down the side of the hill, some gravel fell and rattled through the trees.
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My eyes turned instinctively in that direction, and I saw a dark figure quickly leap behind the trunk of a large tree.
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I couldn't tell if it was a bear or a monkey, but it seemed large and shaggy.
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I was cut off on both sides; behind me were murderers, and in front of me was this lurking animal.
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Suddenly, Long John seemed the lesser of two evils, so I turned and, looking over my shoulder, started heading back toward the boats.
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Instantly, the figure swiftly moved through the trees, running manlike on two legs yet hunched over.
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This creature was unlike any man I'd ever seen, but it was a man.
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"Maybe it's a cannibal," I said to myself, and I almost called out to the pirates for help.
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But the mere fact he was a man, however wild, reassured me.
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"Wait, I have a pistol," I thought. "I'm not defenseless!"
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So I walked toward the island man, and as soon as I moved in his direction, he stepped toward me.
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He hesitated, but at last, to my wonder and confusion, he threw himself on his knees and held out his clasped hands.
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"Who are you?" I asked.
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"I'm poor Ben Gunn," he said in a voice that was hoarse, like a rusty lock.
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"I haven't spoken with a soul for three years."
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His skin was all sunburned, his lips were black, and his fair eyes looked bright in his dark face.
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His clothing was a tattered ship's canvas and ragged, old cloth fastened together with small sticks and loops of animal hide.
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"Were you shipwrecked?" I cried.
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"No, mate," he said, "marooned."
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I knew what that meant.
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Being marooned was a horrible punishment in which a pirate was left behind on a desolate island, with only a little gunpowder and one bullet.
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"Marooned three years ago," Gunn went on. "I've lived on goats, berries, and oysters. But my heart craves a civilized diet.
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You don't happen to have a piece of cheese? No? Well, many long nights I've dreamed of cheese—toasted, mostly."
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"If I ever get aboard again," I said, "you shall have plenty of cheese."
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As we talked, he was feeling my jacket, smoothing my hands, and generally showing a childish pleasure in the presence of a fellow creature.
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"I'm Jim," I said.
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"Jim, Jim," he repeated, quite pleased. "Well, now, Jim, can you believe I once had a devoted mother who looked after me?"
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"Not really," I answered.
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"I was a polite, churchgoing boy too," Gunn said.
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"I've thought about it here on this lonely island, and I've decided to go back to church someday.
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I'll be good again. I know how. And Jim"—looking all around him and lowering his voice to a whisper—"I'm rich."
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This poor fellow was crazy, I thought.
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I must have looked unconvinced, for he repeated, "Rich! Rich! And I'll make you rich too, Jim.
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You'll be thankful you found me first!"
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Suddenly a shadow came over his face, and Gunn grabbed my arm and raised a forefinger threateningly at me.
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"Tell the truth—is that Flint's ship?" he asked.
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Right then, I knew I'd found an ally. "It's not Flint's ship! Flint is dead.
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But some of Flint's men are aboard, which is bad luck for the rest of us."
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"Is there a man . . . with one leg?" he gasped.
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"He's the cook and the ringleader."
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Gunn was still holding me by the wrist, and he squeezed hard.
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"If you were sent by Long John Silver," he whispered, "I'm as good as dead."
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I told him the whole story of our voyage and predicament, and when I was done, he patted me on the head.
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"You're a good lad, Jim," said Gunn. "You're all in a bad situation.
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Well, put your trust in me. Would your squire share Flint's treasure and give me passage home?"
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"Yes," I cried. "We all planned to share, and besides, without the pirates, we'll need you to help sail the vessel home."
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"Ah," said he, "so you would." And he seemed relieved.
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"I was on Flint's ship," he continued, "when he and six men buried the treasure.
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The rest of us waited on the old Walrus until Flint returned, alone.
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It must have been quite a battle, six against one.
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Billy Bones was the first mate, and Long John was quartermaster.
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The men on board asked Flint where the treasure was, and he said, 'Go ashore, if you like, and stay there—
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but as for the ship, she'll hunt for more, by thunder!' That's what he said."
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"How were you marooned?" I asked.
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"Well, a few years later, I was on another ship and we sighted this island.
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'Boys,' I said, 'Flint's treasure is here. Let's find it.'
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For 12 days, we looked but didn't find the treasure, and with each passing day, they got angrier at me.
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One morning, they just said, 'Here's a musket, spade, and pickax.
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Find Flint's money yourself.' And the ship set sail without me.
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So, Jim, I've been here three years, and I haven't had a bite of decent food since."
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"We need to get back on board the Hispaniola," I said. "But how?"
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"I have a small boat I made," answered Gunn.
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"I keep her under the white rock. We can try to get to the ship after dark."
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Suddenly the island echoed with cannon thunder, and Gunn and I ran toward the anchorage.
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We heard gunshots ring out next, and then, not a quarter of a mile away was a startling sight.
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Fluttering above the woods was our country's flag, the Union Jack.