“Well, Jim,” says he, “just see the good that comes of being dainty in your food. You’ve seen my snuffbox, haven’t you? And you never saw me take snuff; the reason being that in my snuffbox I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese⁠—a cheese made in Italy, very nutritious. Well, that’s for Ben Gunn!”

Before supper was eaten we buried old Tom in the sand, and stood round him for a while bareheaded in the breeze. A good deal of firewood had been got in, but not enough for the captain’s fancy, and he shook his head over it, and told us we “must get back to this tomorrow rather livelier.” Then, when we had eaten our pork, and each had a good stiff glass of brandy grog, the three chiefs got together in a corner to discuss our prospects.