About noon, I went to see the captain. He was lying as we had left him, and he seemed both weak and excited.
"Jim," he said, "you're the only one here that's worth anything. I'll give you a pound for one glass of rum."
"The only money I want," I said, "is what you owe my father. I'll get you one glass, and no more."
When I brought it to him, he seized it hastily, and
"Yes," he said, "that's better. And now, boy, did that doctor say how long I was to lie here?"
"A week at least," I said.
"'Thunder!” he cried. “A week! I can't do that; they'd have the black spot on me by then. They are planning things against me. Fools. They couldn't keep what they got, and they want to steal what another man has kept.
Now, if I can't get away, and they hand me the black spot, remember this. It's my old sea chest they want. You get on a horse and go to that cursed doctor, and tell him to bring all his men and he'll catch them, catch all old Flint's crew at the Benbow Inn - all of them that are left. I was old Flint's first officer, and I'm the only one that knows the place. He gave it to me when he was dying. But you won't tell anyone unless they get the black spot on me, or unless you see a seaman with one leg - him above all."
"But what is the black spot, Captain?" I asked.
“That's a call. I'll tell you if they give me that. But watch, Jim, and I'll go equal shares with you, I will."
He talked a little longer, his voice growing weaker, then he fell into a heavy sleep, and I left him.
My poor father died quite suddenly that evening, and all other matters were put on one side. The captain got downstairs next morning, and had more than his usual supply of rum, helping himself out of the barrel. No one dared to prevent him.
About three o'clock on a cold afternoon after the funeral. I was standing at the door when I saw someone coming slowly along the road. He was blind, feeling his way with a stick. He called out: "Will any kind friend tell a poor blind man who has lost the precious sight of his eyes in defending England, where he is now?
"You are at the Benbow Inn." I said
"Will you give me your hand, my kind young friend, and lead me in?
I held out my hand, and the terrible, soft-speaking, eyeless man seized it in an iron hand
"Now, boy," he said. take me to the captain Lead me straight up to him. If you don't. I'll do this." He bent my arm so that I nearly fainted. I opened the sitting room door
"Now. Bil sit where you are," said the blind man I can't see, but I can hear a finger move. Hold out your right hand.
I saw him pass something into the captain's hand And now that's done." said the blind man, and he quickly slipped out of the room
The captain drew in his hand and looked into it. Ten o'clock! he cried
He jumped up. As he did so, he put his hand to his throat stood unsteadily for a moment, and then with a peculiar sound, fell face down on the floor
I ran to him at once, calling to my mother. But the captain was dead.