Treasure Island

TREASURE ISLANDThen he went the rounds, and saw, as he said,that allwas clear.On the two short sides of the house, east and west, therewere only two loopholes; on the south side where the porchwas, two again; and on the north side, five. There was around score of muskets for the seven of us;the firewood hadbeen built into four piles- - tables, you might say - - oneabout the middle of each side,and on each of these tablessome ammunition and four loaded muskets were laidreadyto the hand of the defenders. In the middle, the cutlasseslay ranged."Toss out the fire,"said the captain;:'the chill is past,and we mustn't have smoke in our eyes."The iron fire basket was carried bodily out byMr. Trelawney,and the embers smothered among sand."Hawkins hasn't had his breakfast. Hawkins, helpyourself, and back to your post to eat it," continued CaptainSmollett. 'Lively, now, my lads; '11you want it beforeto allyou 've done. Hunter, serve out a round of brandyhands."And while this was going on, the captain completed, inhis own mind, the plan of the defence."Doctor, you will take the door," he resumed."See, anddon't expose yourself; keep within, and firethrough theporch. Hunter, take the east side, there. Joyce, you standby the west, my man. Mr. Trelawney, you are the best shotyou and Gray will take this long north side, with the fiveloopholes ; it 's there the danger is. If they can get up toit, and fire in upon us through our own ports, things would[158]