What does their lack of challenge to Silver’s authority say about the men? What is their attitude towards authority in general, and Silver’s in particular?

Silver is clever and unpredictable. The men fear him for these reasons. At times, Silver shows extreme kindness and a paternal liking for the young narrator. At other times, however, Silver, although deformed like Pew, shows extreme brutality and cruelness in killing other sailors. Sailors generally fear him because he is a master manipulator and has a keen understanding of human nature.