"Why, look here, my man," returned the Captain, "I can't understand
how this story comes about at all, can I? I can't see how you and
I, who don't exist, should get to speaking here, and smoke our
pipes for all the world like reality? Very well, then, who am I to
pipe up with my opinions? I know the Author's on the side of good;
he tells me so, it runs out of his pen as he writes. Well, that's
all I need to know; I'll take my chance upon the rest."

"It's a fact he seemed to be against George Merry," Silver
admitted, musingly. "But George is little more'n a name at the
best of it," he added, brightening. "And to get into soundings for
once. What is this good? I made a mutiny, and I been a gentleman
o' fortune; well, but by all stories, you ain't no such saint. I'm
a man that keeps company very easy; even by your own account, you
ain't, and to my certain knowledge you're a devil to haze. Which
is which? Which is good, and which bad? Ah, you tell me that!
Here we are in stays, and you may lay to it!"

"We're none of us perfect," replied the Captain. "That's a fact of
religion, my man. All I can say is, I try to do my duty; and if
you try to do yours, I can't compliment you on your success."

"And so you was the judge, was you?" said Silver, derisively.

"I would be both judge and hangman for you, my man, and never turn
a hair," returned the Captain. "But I get beyond that: it mayn't
be sound theology, but it's common sense, that what is good is
useful too - or there and thereabout, for I don't set up to be a
thinker. Now, where would a story go to if there were no virtuous