I read straight on:
Blandly himself found the Hispaniola. But some people say that the Hispaniola belonged to him, and that he sold it me absurdly high.
I found an old sailor, he knew all the seamen in Bristol, and wanted to get to sea again. His name is Long John Silver [30], and he has lost a leg. With the help of Silver I gathered a company of real sea dogs.
So now, Livesey, theres no time to lose. Let young Hawkins go at once to see his mother and then come quickly to Bristol.
John Trelawney.PS: Blandly has found us an excellent man to be captain. His name is Smollett [31].
The next day, after dinner, Redruth and I were afoot again and on the road. I said good-bye to Mother and the cove where I lived, and the dear old Admiral Benbow. Next moment we had turned the corner and my home was out of sight. Soon we found ourselves in Bristol.
I was going to sea myself, to sea in a schooner, with real seamen, to sea, and to seek for buried treasure! While I was still in this delightful dream, we came suddenly in front of a large inn and met Squire Trelawney, all dressed out like a sea-officer, in stout blue cloth, coming out of the door with a smile on his face.
Here you are, he cried, and the doctor came last night from London. Bravo! The ships company complete!
Oh, sir, cried I, when do we sail?
Sail! said he. We sail tomorrow!
8. At the Sign of the Spy-glass [32]
The squire gave me a note addressed to John Silver, at the sign of the Spy-glass. The sign was newly painted; the windows had red curtains. The customers were mostly seamen, and they talked very loudly.
As I was waiting, a man came out of a side room, and I was sure he must be Long John. His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a crutch. He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham [33] plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling.
One look at the man before me was enough. I saw the captain, and Black Dog, and the blind man, Pew, and I thought I knew what a pirate was like a very different creature, according to me.
Mr. Silver, sir? I asked.
Yes, my lad, said he, such is my name, to be sure. And you are our new cabin-boy; pleased I am to see you.
Just then one of the customers at the far side rose suddenly and made for the door [34]. I recognized him! It was the tallow-faced man, who came first to the Admiral Benbow.
Oh, I cried, stop him! Its Black Dog!
I dont care who he is, cried Silver. But he hasnt paid his score. Harry, run and catch him.
One of the others who was nearest the door leaped up and started in pursuit [35].
Who did you say he was? asked Silver. Black what?
Dog, sir, said I. Has Mr. Trelawney not told you of the pirates? He was one of them.
So? cried Silver. In my house! Ben, run and help Harry. Black Dog? No, I dont know the name, not I. He used to come here with a blind beggar.
I knew that blind man too, said I. His name was Pew.
By the time the two men came back and said that they lost Black Dog in a crowd.
I hate these pirates, said Long John. Its very serious. Ill go with you to tell Mr. Trelawney what has happened.
So he did. Long John told the story from first to last. The two gentlemen regretted that Black Dog got away, but what to do? Long John took his crutch and left us.
All the crew must be aboard by four this afternoon, said Mr. Trelawney.
9. Powder and Arms [36]
The Hispaniola lay some way out. The captain seemed angry with everything on board.
I dont like this cruise, said the captain. I dont like the men.
Possibly, sir, you may not like your employer, either? said the squire.
Stay a bit [37], said Dr. Livesey. No use of such questions. I require an explanation. You dont, you say, like this cruise, captain. Why?
I find that every man knows more than I do, said the captain. I learn we are going after treasure. I dont like treasure voyages at all, and I dont like them, when they are secret and when (begging your pardon, Mr. Trelawney) the secret has been told to the parrot.
Silvers parrot? asked the squire.
Its a way of speaking [38], said the captain.
That is all clear, and true enough, replied Dr. Livesey. We take the risk, but we are not so ignorant as you think. Next, you say you dont like the crew. Are they not good seamen?
I dont like them, sir, returned Captain Smollett.
Well, now, tell us what you want, captain, asked the doctor.
They are putting the powder and the arms in the fore hold [39], said the captain. Now, you have a good place under the cabin; why not put them there? Ill tell you what Ive heard myself, continued Captain Smollett, that you have a map of an island, that therere crosses on the map to show where treasure is, and that the island lies And then he named the latitude and longitude exactly.
I never told that, cried the squire, to a soul! Livesey, that must be you or Hawkins!
Well, gentlemen, continued the captain, I dont know who has this map; but I think, it needs to be kept secret. I am responsible for the ships safety and the life of every man. And thats all.
10. The Voyage
The Hispaniola has begun its voyage to the Isle of Treasure. I am not going to relate that voyage in detail. It was prosperous. The ship proved to be a good ship, the crew were capable seamen, and the captain understood his business. As for Long John Silver, the men called him Barbecue [40].
Hes no common man [41], Barbecue, said the coxswain [42] to me. He can speak like a book; and brave like a lion!
All the crew respected and even obeyed him. To me he was very kind, and always glad to see me.
Come away, Hawkins, he would say. Nobody is more welcome than yourself, my son. Sit down and hear the news. Heres Captain Flint [43] I call my parrot Captain Flint, after the famous pirate heres Captain Flint predicting success to our voyage.
And the parrot would say, with great rapidity, Pieces of eight [44]! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! till John threw his handkerchief over the cage.
Now, that bird, he would say, is, maybe, two hundred years old, Hawkins they live forever.
Every man on board seemed content. Always a barrel of apples was standing on the deck. And you will see, it saved us.
Just after sundown, when all my work was over and I was on my way to my bed, I decided to eat an apple. I ran on deck and found that there was only one apple left. Suddenly I heard Silvers voice. I decided not to show myself. And later I realized that the lives of all the honest men aboard the ship depended upon me alone.
11. What I Heard in the Apple Barrel
No, not I, said Silver. Flint was a captain; I was a quartermaster [45]. Im fifty. Gentlemen of fortune [46] usually trust little among themselves, and right they are. Now, heres what I say: Captain Smollett is a first-class seaman; he sails the ship for us. Mr. Trelawney and the doctor have the map. I dont know where it is. No more do you. Well then, I mean this squire and doctor will find the treasure, and help us to get it aboard. Ill finish with them at the island.
What will you do with them? asked a sailor.
Dead men dont bite. Im an easy man Im quite the gentleman. I give my vote death.
John, cried the coxswain, youre a man! And they went away.
You can imagine my horror! Almost at the same time the voice of the lookout shouted, Land!
12. Council of War [47]
I quickly got out of the barrel to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey. And then I heard the voice of Captain Smollett issuing orders.
And now, men, said the captain, has any one of you ever seen that land ahead?
I have, sir, said Silver. They call it Skeleton Island [48]. That hill to the northward they call the Fore-mast [49] Hill; there are three hills in a row running southward. But the main with the cloud on it they usually call the Spy-glass. Its there they cleaned their ships, sir.
I have a chart here, said Captain Smollett. See if thats the place.
Long Johns eyes burned in his head as he took the chart, but he was disappointed. This was not the map we found in Billy Boness chest, but an accurate copy, complete in all things names and heights with the single exception of the red crosses and the written notes.
Yes, sir, said he, this is the spot. Who has done that, I wonder? The pirates were too ignorant.
Ah, said Silver to me, this here is a sweet spot, this island youll bathe, and youll climb trees, and youll hunt goats. Its a pleasant thing to be young and have ten toes.
Captain Smollett, the squire, and Dr. Livesey were talking together on the quarter-deck [50]. I was very anxious to tell them my story. Dr. Livesey called me. I said immediately, Doctor, I have terrible news.
The three gentlemen went below. I found them all three seated round the table, a bottle of Spanish wine and some raisins before them.
Now, Hawkins, said the squire, you have something to say. Speak up.
I began. Nobody interrupted me, but they kept their eyes upon my face.
First point, began Mr. Smollett. We must go on, because we cant turn back.
There were only seven out of the twenty-six on whom we knew we could rely; and out of these seven one was a boy.
Part Three
My Shore Adventure [51]
13. How My Shore Adventure Began
There was no sign of any wind. Everybody was glad to get to land. The bottom was clean sand. We held a council in the cabin.
Sir, said the captain, Weve only one man to rely on.
And who is that? asked the squire.
Silver, sir, returned the captain. Lets allow them to go ashore. If they all go, well get the ship.
I believe the silly sailors thought they would find the treasure as soon as they were landed. Silver was the captain. Six fellows were to stay on board, and the remaining thirteen, including Silver, began to embark. And at that moment it occurred to me to go ashore with the others. It was an idea that helped to save our lives.
When our boat reached the shore, I jumped out and ran away, while Silver and the rest were still a hundred yards behind.
Jim, Jim!
But I paid no attention, I ran straight till I could run no longer.
14. The First Blow [52]
I now felt for the first time the joy of exploration. Here and there were flowering plants, unknown to me; here and there I saw snakes.
Soon I heard human voices, which grew louder and nearer. This put me in a great fear, and I crawled under cover of the nearest oak, as silent as a mouse.
Long John Silver and another of the crew stood face to face in conversation. Silver threw his hat beside him on the ground, and his great face was lifted to the other mans.
Tom, he was saying, Im warning you that the men will kill you if you dont help us.
I realized that I found an honest man in Tom!
John! said the sailor, Kill me, if you can. Im not afraid.
And with that, this brave fellow turned his back directly on the cook. But did not go far. With a cry John took his heavy crutch from under his arm and threw it at Tom. It struck poor Tom right between the shoulders, in the middle of his back, and he fell to the ground.