Treasure Island by RL Stevenson. Part 6.
Watch on KineScope.
It was the day before we expected to see Treasure Island. The sun had gone down, all my work was done, and I thought I should like an apple. The barrel was nearly empty and I had to climb right inside to get my apple. As I sat there in the dark, the ship moving gently in the water, I almost fell asleep.
Suddenly, the barrel shook as a heavy man sat down and rested his shoulders against it. The man began to speak and it was Silver’s voice. Before I had heard a dozen words, I was trembling with fear. I understood from those words that the lives of all honest men on the ship depended on me alone!
“Flint was captain, not me, ” said Silver. “In the same battle that I lost my leg, old Pew lost his sight. But I got two thousand when I sailed with Flint – and it’s all safe in the back at home.”
“But what if you don’t live to get home again?” asked another, doubtful voice. I recognized the voice of the youngest seaman aboard.
“Pirates live rough, ” agreed Silver. “They live dangerously and some get caught and die by the law. But they eat and drink the best, and when the voyage is done, it’s hundreds of pounds instead of hundreds of pence in their pockets. Once I’m back from this trip, I’ll live like a gentleman. But I began life like you – a clever young seaman without a penny in my pocket!”
“I didn’t like this job until this talk with you, John, ” said the young seaman, “but I’m with you now.”
They shook hands so hard that the barrel shook as well, with me inside it. By this time, I understood that Silver had just turned an honest seaman into a pirate. Perhaps every man in the crew was now a pirate!
Silver gave a quiet call and a third man came and sat down with them. “Dick’s with us, ” said Silver.
“I knew Dick was all right, ” replied the voice of Israel Hands. “But how long are we going to wait? I’ve had enough of Captain Smollett.”
“Untill the last moment!” cried Silver. “Captain Smollett’s a first-class seaman, and the squire and doctor have the map. Let them find the treasure and bring it aboard – then we’ll see. I’d rather have Captain Smollett sail us half-way home before I moved, but I know the rest of the men won’t wait that long. So I’ll finish with the captain and the others at the island.”
“But what do we do with them?” asked Dick.
“They must die, ” said Silver. “We don’t want them coming home later, to tell what happened. Now, Dick, get me an apple. I’m thirsty.”
You can imagine my horror! I heard Dick begin to rise, but Hands said, “Oh, let’s have some rum, John.”
Silver sent Dick to fetch the rum, then Israel said something to the cook in a low voice, and I heard only a word or two. But they were important words: “Not another man will join.” So there were still some honest men on board.
I looked up and saw the moon had risen. At the same time, the voice of one of the crew shouted: “Land!”
There was the sound of many feet running across the deck. I quickly got out of the barrel and was in time to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey and the rest, at the side of the ship.
Away to the south-west, we saw two hills. Rising behind one of them was a third hill, even higher, and with its top still hidden in fog. Captain Smollett gave orders, and the Hispaniola turned so that the ship would sail just clear of the island on the east.
‘Has anyone seen that land before?’ he said.
‘I have, sir,’ said Silver. ‘I was cook on a ship that stopped here once. There’s a safe place to anchor in the south, behind a little island called Skeleton Island. Those three hills we can see are on the big island. They’re in a row running south – the biggest is called Spyglass.’
‘Thank you,’ said Captain Smollett. ‘Later on, I’ll ask you to give us some help. You may go now.’
Dr Livesey called me, meaning to ask me to fetch his pipe, but I spoke quickly. ’Doctor, get the captain and squire down to the cabin. I have some terrible news.’
He went across and spoke to the other two, then the three of them went below. Soon after, a message came that I was wanted in the cabin.
I told them in as few words as possible what Sliver and the others had said, and they listened without speaking. It was a warm night and I saw the moon shining on the sea as I told my story.
‘Captain, said the squire when I’d finished,’ you were right, and I was wrong.’
‘But I’ve never known a crew planning to mutiny that did not show some sign of it before,’ said the captain.
‘That’s Silver,’ said the doctor. ‘He’s a very clever man.’
‘He’d look very clever with a rope around his neck, sir!’ replied the captain. ‘But we must make a plan. We can’t go back, or they would know at once. But we have some time before the treasure is found, and there are some honest men among the crew. Your men, squire?’
‘As honest as myself,’ agreed Mr Trelawney.
‘And ourselves,’ said the captain. ‘That’s seven, with young Hawkins here. Now, what other honest men are there?’
‘Probably the men Trelawney chose before he met Silver,’ said the doctor.
‘No,’ said the squire. ‘Hands was one of them.’
‘Well, gentlemen,’ said the captain.’ We must wait and watch carefully, until we know our men.’