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Summary: Chapter I Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest— At the urging of
Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and others, a boy named Jim Hawkins records his
story about Treasure Island. He omits the island’s exact location, as a portion
of its treasure still remains buried there. Jim begins the story by recounting
his first meeting with a ragged but imposing old seaman who shows up at the
Admiral Benbow, the inn Jim’s father owns. The old sailor throws
down a few gold coins and moves in, staying at the inn for far longer than his
payment covers. He hires Jim to stay on the lookout for a one-legged sailor
whom he apparently fears. He terrorizes the others in the inn with his coarse
sailor’s songs and heavy drinking. Livesy cautions the sailor about the dangers
of drinking, but these warnings enrage the seaman, who threatens Livesey with a
knife. Livesey subdues the man with his calm authority. [I]f you keep on
drinking rum, the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel! Summary: Chapter II On a cold January
morning soon after, a tall pale man who is missing two fingers enters the inn.
The man asks Jim if he has seen his mate Bill, or Billy Bones, as he is
generally called, who is recognizable by a scar on one cheek. Jim knows the
stranger is referring to the old seaman who is staying at the inn, and he tells
the stranger that Bill will be back soon. Bill returns, and he gasps when he
recognizes his former shipmate, whom he addresses as Black Dog. The two launch
into a violent conversation that Jim cannot hear. The conversation ends as
Billy Bones attempts to kill Black Dog with his sword, but he is cut short, as
he suddenly succumbs to a stroke. Livesey cares for Billy in the inn and warns
him to stay away from rum, which in his ill health would be lethal for him. Summary: Chapter III Jim attends to the
ailing Billy, who begs him for a swig of rum in return for some money. Jim is
offended, saying he wants only what Billy owes his father for rent. But he
gives Billy one glass of rum. Energized by the alcohol, Billy says he must
quickly get moving to outsmart his pursuers. He explains to Jim that the former
crew of the ship he sailed on, under the now-dead Captain Flint, wants his sea
chest. That night Jim’s father, who has also been ill, dies. Returning from his
father’s funeral, Jim encounters a sinister blind man who asks to be taken to
Billy. Billy appears sickened to see the blind man, who hands him a black spot,
which Jim has learned represents an official secret pirate summons. Reading the
black spot, Billy enigmatically cries out that he has only six hours left. He
springs into to action, but falls down, stricken with a fatal stroke. Jim is
worried and calls for his mother. Chapters IV–VI Summary: Chapter IV Jim tells his mother about the pirates’ plot
to take Billy’s sea chest, and he flees with her to the neighboring village to
seek help. Terrified by the name of old Flint, none of the villagers is willing
to go to the inn to offer assistance. Armed with a gun, Jim returns with his
mother to the inn. He searches through the dead Billy’s clothing to find the
key to the treasure chest. Finding the key around Billy’s neck, Jim and his
mother open the chest and find gold hidden at the bottom, a portion of which
Jim’s mother claims as her due. They hear running footsteps in the street
outside. Jim takes some papers wrapped in an oilcloth that he has found in the
sea chest and then flees the inn with his mother. Weakened by fear, his mother
faints outside. Jim succeeds in dragging her under a bridge, out of sight but
within earshot of the inn. Summary: Chapter V Terrified but curious, Jim looks out from his
hiding place. He sees seven or eight men running toward the inn, among them the
blind man who had visited before. The eight men are surprised to find the inn
door open and Billy dead. They are concerned about the chest and seem
disappointed that it contains only Billy’s money: clearly they are more interested
in something else that belonged to Flint. The blind man, whom the others
address as Pew, orders the men to scatter and find the fugitives. He reminds
them that they could be as rich as kings if they find the missing object. Enraged, Pew starts screaming at his men, and
they all begin to quarrel violently. Hearing a pistol shot, however, the men
panic and flee, leaving the blind Pew alone on the road. Pew is accidentally
run down and killed by men on horseback who have come to investigate. Returning
home, Jim finds the inn ruined. He realizes that the oilcloth-wrapped papers in
his pocket may be what the pirates sought, but he is reluctant to hand them
over to the officer, Dance, who tries to take charge of the situation. Jim says
he would prefer to show the papers to Dr. Livesey, and he sets off with Dance’s
party for Livesey’s house. Summary: Chapter VI Jim, Dance, and the others arrive at Dr.
Livesey’s darkened house to learn that he is dining at the home of Squire
Trelawney, a local nobleman. The group heads to Trelawney’s residence, where
they find the two men in the library. Livesey examines the oilskin packet that
Jim has recovered. Trelawney claims that the pirate Flint is more bloodthirsty
than Blackbeard and has accumulated a huge fortune. They open the book wrapped
in the oilskin and find that it is a log of all the places where Flint acquired
loot, and of the sums of gold that he obtained in each place. The packet also
includes a map of the island where the whole treasure now lies buried, with
longitude and latitude detailed. Trelawney and Livesey are filled with glee,
and start making plans to sail to the island themselves, bringing Jim along as
cabin boy. Everyone present swears to secrecy. Chapters VII–XII Summary: Chapter VII After a frustrating delay in preparations for
the journey to Treasure Island, Jim is pleased to hear that Dr. Livesey has
received a letter from Squire Trelawney describing the ship and crew that he
has obtained. The ship has been procured through one of Trelawney’s acquaintances
in Bristol, a man who seems all too ready to help him and has a poor reputation
in the city. The ship is called the Hispaniola. Trelawney
relates that he had some trouble finding a crew for the voyage until he had the
good fortune to meet up with an old one- legged sailor named Long John Silver.
Silver tells Trelawney that he misses the sea and wishes to set sail again as
the ship’s cook. Trelawney hires him, and Silver helps arrange the rest of the
crew as well. After a sad farewell with his mother, Jim sets
out the next morning for Bristol, accompanied by Tom Redruth, another man who
will be on the ship’s crew. At the inn in Bristol, they meet up with Trelawney,
newly clothed in a sea officer’s outfit. Trelawney informs them that they will sail
the next day. Summary: Chapter VIII I don’t put much faith in your discoveries . .
. but I will say this, John Silver suits me. Trelawney gives Jim a note to pass on to Long
John Silver at the Spy-glass, a tavern in the town. Jim sets off happily to find
the sailor. Silver is more clean-cut than Jim expects, but Jim recognizes him
and introduces himself. Just then, another customer in the bar suddenly gets up
to leave, attracting Jim’s attention. Jim recognizes the man as Black Dog and
informs Silver. Jim is pleased to learn that Silver shares his negative view of
Black Dog and Pew. Silver wins over Jim’s trust, and they stroll by the docks
as Silver tells Jim about ships and sea life. Silver is introduced to Dr.
Livesey and treats him with respect. Likewise, Livesey is quite pleased to have
Silver as the ship’s new cook. Summary: Chapter IX While boarding the ship, Jim, Silver, and the
others meet Mr. Arrow, the first mate, with whom Trelawney gets along well.
There is some animosity, however, between Trelawney and the captain, whose name
is Smollett. Smollett is very opinionated, and speaks openly about his dislike
of most of the crew and about the fact that he has a bad feeling about the
voyage. Smollett also adds that there has been too much blabbing about the map
and the treasure, though Trelawney protests that he has told no one. After the
captain leaves, Livesey asserts that he trusts Silver and Smollett completely. Summary: Chapter X The voyage begins on an ominous note, as the
first mate, Mr. Arrow, turns out to be a hopeless drunk who is useless on
board. He disappears mysteriously one night, leading the others to presume that
he fell overboard in his drunkenness. The boatswain, Job Anderson, replaces
Arrow. Jim continues to be entranced by Silver, impressed by his swift
one-legged maneuverings around the deck. Jim is also fascinated by Silver’s
two-hundred-year-old parrot, which is named Cap’n Flint, after the famed
buccaneer. Relations between Trelawney and Smollett are still somewhat strained,
but the voyage proceeds normally. One evening, Jim gets hungry for an apple and
climbs into an apple barrel on board, where, unsuspected, he overhears an
important conversation. Summary: Chapter XI Hiding in the apple barrel, Jim overhears Long
John Silver telling several other crewmembers about some of his adventures with
old Flint. Silver mentions that he has nearly three thousand pounds safely
hidden away in the bank, gained from his exploits with the other “gentlemen of
fortune,” which Jim correctly guesses is just another word for pirates. Jim
learns that most of old Flint’s former crewmembers are on board the ship now,
posing as ordinary crew but plotting to take the treasure for themselves.
Silver mentions that some of the other crewmembers have joined the
conspirators, though others have refused. Jim watches the pirates partake of a
secret stash of rum. As the men drink, the cry of “Land ho!” is heard from on
deck. Summary: Chapter XII With the island visible before them, Smollett
and his crew discuss the best place to drop anchor. Smollett consults a map of
the island, and Jim notices that it is an exact copy of the treasure map he saw
before, but without the “X” marking the treasure’s hiding place. Silver knows
the island well, and offers advice, enthusiastically telling Jim how much he
enjoys the island. Smollett congratulates the crew on a job well done, and then
meets with Trelawney below deck. Later, Jim goes below deck and warns Smollett
and Trelawney about Silver’s criminal intentions, telling them what he
overheard while hiding in the apple barrel. Trelawney immediately admits that
he has been a fool in hiring the crew and trusting Silver. Smollett urges
everyone to stay vigilant. Chapters XIII–XV Summary: Chapter XIII Having approached the island in sweltering
weather, the crew is irritable and discontent. Dr. Livesey warns the men that
they may be at risk of contracting tropical diseases on the island. Silver,
with his knowledge of the island’s geography, advises Captain Smollett of a good
place to drop anchor. Smollett does not reveal what he knows about the planned
mutiny. After consulting with Squire Trelawney, he decides to allow the crew to
go ashore for diversion, which allows the honest men to reclaim control of the
ship. Smollett takes Tom Redruth and several other
honest sailors into his confidence and gives them weapons. Silver leads the
pirates ashore, believing that they will be able to recover the treasure
immediately. Jim, deciding that his assistance is not needed on board, hides in
one of the pirates’ boats and goes ashore with them. However, Silver catches
sight of Jim, who begins to regret his decision. Reaching the shore before the
others, Jim quickly scrambles away from them. Summary: Chapter XIV As Jim surveys the island, he is startled to
hear voices nearby. He creeps closer and finds Silver addressing one of the
sailors named Tom, trying to persuade him to join the mutineers. Silver makes
it clear that Tom’s life is riding on his decision, but Tom declines politely
but firmly. They suddenly hear a piercing scream from far away, and Tom is
greatly alarmed. Silver says coldly that the scream must be from Alan, another
honest sailor who has refused to join the pirates. Tom tells Silver that Silver is his friend no
more and starts to walk away. Silver flings his crutch at Tom’s back, knocking
him down, and then walks over and kills him with his knife. Jim is terrified,
realizing that he has no way to get back to the ship without being spotted and
killed by Silver and his gang. Jim starts to run deeper into the island. Summary: Chapter XV Fleeing the pirates, Jim sees a human figure
in the woods, and he fears that it is a cannibal. Suddenly remembering he is
armed, Jim gains courage and walks briskly toward the man, who is hiding behind
a tree. Jim asks the man his name, and the man replies that his name is Ben
Gunn and that he has been on the island for three years. Jim asks Ben if he was
shipwrecked, and Ben answers that he was marooned. Ben speaks in a deranged
manner, making many religious allusions. Jim suspects that Ben may be mad. When Ben asks if the ship moored on the shore
is Flint’s, Jim realizes the wild man may have useful information. Jim learns
that Ben once served on Flint’s crew and thus knows all the current mutineers.
Ben was left behind on the island after a failed treasure hunt three years ago.
Jim learns that Flint buried his treasure and killed the six men who helped him
bury it. Ben also mentions that he made a boat, which he hides under a white
rock. He assures Jim that he can locate the treasure in return for safe passage
home, and guides Jim to his dwelling. On the way there, Jim is startled to see
the Union Jack, the gentleman sailor’s flag, proudly waving in the distant
woods. Summary:
Chapter XVI Dr. Livesey takes over
the narration at this point, beginning his story at the mutineers’ departure
for the island. Discovering that Jim is with the mutineers, Livesey and Captain
Smollett fear for Jim’s safety, and agree that Livesey should go ashore along with
Hunter, Squire Trelawney’s servant. Once ashore, Livesey comes upon a stockade
Flint’s men built years earlier, near a spring. Returning to the ship,
Livesey tells the others what he has found. The men load two boats with
provisions, taking the risk that they may arouse the suspicions of the
mutineers onshore. Captain Smollett gives Abraham Gray, a sailor who has fallen
in with the mutineers, a last chance to join him and his crew. Gray scuffles
onto the boat, and they head for shore. Summary:
Chapter XVII The little boat carrying
Captain Smollett, Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, Tom Redruth, and Abraham
Gray is dangerously overloaded and thus hard to maneuver. The men begin to
suspect that the mutineers might be planning an attack, aware that the pirates
possess arms and gunpowder, and that Israel Hands was once Flint’s gunman.
Trelawney tries to shoot Hands but hits another pirate instead, though the
mutineers do not pay any -attention. Hands fires a cannonball at the men’s
boat, causing it to founder. No lives are lost, as the water is shallow,
but the men are forced to leave half of their provisions behind when they
wade ashore. Summary:
Chapter XVIII Captain Smollett and his
group make their way to the stockade and pause to reload their guns. Coming
upon the pirate they have just killed, they rejoice in their success. At this
instant Tom Redruth is shot. His wound is clearly fatal, and the group helps
him to lie down and die nobly. Squire Trelawney kisses Tom’s hand and asks for
his forgiveness. All agree that he has nothing to fear in the afterworld, as he
has died in the line of duty. Trapped in the stockade,
the group is bombarded by cannon fire throughout the evening. The pirates aim
at the Union Jack in particular, but Smollett refuses to take in the flag. He
makes an entry in his logbook of those in the stockade, while Livesey wonders
what has happened to Jim. Just at this moment, Jim suddenly enters. Summary:
Chapter XIX Jim resumes the narration
of the tale. Having seen the Union Jack flying above, he approaches the
stockade along with Ben Gunn. Jim is unsure whether it is Captain Smollett’s
crew or the mutineers who control the stockade, but Ben, assuring him that the
pirates would never fly the Union Jack, encourages him to enter. A cannon shot
makes the good sailors scatter out of the stockade. Summary:
Chapter XX Captain Smollett is wary
of Silver’s gesture of truce, fearing a trick. The pirate announces himself as
“Captain Silver,” and asserts that he wants to reach a compromise with
Smollett. Smollett questions Silver’s claim to the title of captain and refuses
to talk with him. Silver hoists himself over the stockade fence anyway, and
approaches Smollett. He demands the treasure map in exchange for a cease-fire.
Smollett angrily reminds Silver that he is far more powerful than the
mutineers. Silver tries again, promising the captain and his men safe voyage in
exchange for the map. When Smollett again refuses, Silver leaves indignantly. Summary:
Chapter XXI After roughly turning
Silver away, Captain Smollett predicts that the pirates will attack the
stockade in retribution, and he orders the men to prepare themselves. They wait
in anxious expectation for an hour, then hear a few shots and see the pirates
scrambling over the stockade fence. Gray and Squire Trelawney fire on the
pirates, wounding several of them. A fight ensues, and in the end, Smollett,
Dr. Livesey, Jim, and most of the others return safely to the stockade, having
lost fewer men than the mutineers. Chapters
XXII–XXIV Summary:
Chapter XXII Seeing no further signs
of attack by the mutineers, Captain Smollett and his men enjoy some leisure
time in the stockade. Gray is startled to see Dr. Livesey go walking out into
the trees, taking the map with him. Gray asks whether Livesey has gone mad, but
Jim answers that Livesey is going to speak to Ben Gunn. Left inside to clean up
the bloody mess of the earlier attack, Jim grows impatient, yearning to do
something more heroic. On another whim, Jim
decides to go search for the boat that Ben had mentioned he had built. On the
shore Jim glimpses Silver and his men talking and laughing, and hears the
unearthly scream of Silver’s parrot Cap’n Flint. After a bit of a search Jim
finds the small handmade boat, which is a coracle (a type of boat once sailed
by the ancient Britons). Jim decides he will sail out to the Hispaniola and cut
it adrift. When darkness falls, he hoists the coracle on his shoulders and
heads for the water. Summary:
Chapter XXIII Jim finds the coracle
hard to sail, as it steers unreliably, but he eventually manages to reach the
anchored ship. Grasping the hawser, or anchor rope, Jim takes out his knife and
starts cutting, being careful not to let the cord snap at him when it breaks.
Waiting for the wind to lessen the rope’s tension so he can finish cutting it,
he sits and listens to the rude oaths and drunken nonsense coming from the
pirates’ ship. One sailor is singing a morbid sea song about a ship setting out
with a crew of seventy-five and returning with only one alive. When there is a breeze,
Jim is able to cut the last fibers of the rope and set the Hispaniola adrift.
On a whim he clutches the trailing rope and hauls himself to window-level,
peering in to see why no one has noticed the sudden motion of the ship. He
discovers that the pirates are distracted, as Hands and another sailor are
wrestling. Suddenly flung back into the coracle, Jim is startled to find that
he has drifted near the pirates’ campfire on shore. Sure of imminent death, he
commends his soul to God and falls asleep in the coracle, dreaming of home. Summary:
Chapter XXIV Upon awakening, Jim
discovers that he has drifted to the southwest end of Treasure Island. Paddling
toward shore is useless, as he would be dashed to death on the rocks that form
this edge of the island. Jim decides to try to make his way toward a friendlier
shoreline to the north. After much effort he finally reaches the cove he has
aimed for, his throat burning from thirst. He spots the Hispaniola drifting
aimlessly and concludes that the crew either is entirely drunk or has deserted
the ship. Jim hatches a plan to try
to board the wildly drifting Hispaniola, realizing that he can overtake the
ship if he sits up and paddles hard. Though he runs the risk of being spotted,
he thinks the idea has an air of adventure about it, so he starts paddling.
Finally reaching the ship, Jim climbs on board and searches for water to quench
his thirst. He hears the sound of the ship being blown into and destroying the
coracle, and knows that escape from the ship is now impossible. Chapters XXV–XXVII
Summary: Chapter XXV Climbing aboard the Hispaniola, Jim is surprised to see
no one on deck. A bit later, however, he finds two watchmen—one is Israel
Hands, who lies splashed with blood in a drunken stupor; the other is dead. Jim
addresses Hands, who begs for a little brandy. Descending into the cellar, Jim
finds that most of the ship’s store of alcohol has been consumed. He returns
with a drink for Hands and asks that Hands consider him the captain, since Jim
has taken possession of the ship. In a symbolic gesture, Jim throws the
pirates’ flag, the Jolly Roger, overboard. Hands offhandedly refers to the corpse next to him,
insulting the dead man’s Irish nationality and noting that the dead man is
unable to help navigate. Hands then asserts his own navigational expertise and
strikes a deal with Jim: if Jim gives Hands food, drink, and medical help,
Hands will assist Jim in sailing the ship. They steer the ship toward the North
Inlet of the island, enjoying a favorable wind. Jim is delighted with his new
position of command, though wary of Hands’s careful watch over him. Summary: Chapter XXVI Jim and Hands approach the North Inlet but must wait for
a favorable tide to cast anchor. Hands proposes throwing the Irishman’s dead
body overboard, as he objects to the corpse’s presence on deck. Jim replies
that he does not like the idea, and Hands responds that a dead man is simply
dead. Jim retorts that the spirit never dies. Suspiciously, Hands claims that
the brandy is too strong for his head and asks Jim for wine instead. Jim feigns
innocence and goes to fetch some port wine, but watches Hands in secret and
observes him extract a long knife from a hiding place and place it under his
jacket. Jim knows that he needs Hands to guide the ship safely
into the inlet and remains wary of him. As he becomes absorbed by the effort of
maneuvering the ship into its anchorage, he relaxes his vigilance and Hands
attacks him. They engage in a fierce scuffle. Jim climbs up a mast and Hands follows.
Jim pulls his pistol on Hands, who flings his knife, piercing Jim’s shoulder
and pinning him to the mast. Jim’s gun goes off and Hands falls into the water. Summary: Chapter XXVII Gradually my mind came back again, my pulses quieted down
to a more natural time, and I was once more in possession of myself. The knife still pinning him against the mast, Jim watches
as Hands’s body rises once in the water and then sinks down. Covered in blood
but not seriously wounded, Jim initially feels faint and terrified but manages
to regain his composure. Shuddering, he frees himself by ripping the bit of
shoulder skin that the knife has pinned to the mast. He climbs down the mast to
care for his wound and, seeing the dead Irishman on deck, pushes him overboard and
watches the body in the water. Now alone on the ship, Jim decides that he is close
enough to the island to swim to shore safely. He reaches the island and treks
through the woods in search of Captain Smollett’s stockade on the other side of
the island. He finally glimpses the glow of a fire in the distance, and finds
that it is coming from campfires in the stockade. Jim is surprised that
Smollett would allow such a waste of firewood. Creeping into the stockade, Jim
finds the men asleep. A voice suddenly cries out, “Pieces of eight!” and Jim
recognizes the voice of Silver’s parrot, Cap’n Flint. Realizing that the
pirates have taken over the stockade, Jim tries to flee but is held tight.
Chapters
XXVIII–XXX Summary:
Chapter XXVIII Jim accidentally enters the
pirates’ camp and finds that only six of the pirates are still alive. Long John
Silver addresses Jim fondly, telling the boy that he reminds Silver of what he
was like when he was young. Silver tells Jim that Dr. Livesey is angry about
Jim’s desertion and is glad to be rid of him. Jim only partially believes this
statement, but he is relieved to hear that his friends are alive. Jim realizes
that Silver is having trouble managing his men, who are surly and
disrespectful. Jim boldly reveals that he cut the rope on the ship and killed
Hands, and he tells Silver that he does not fear him. Silver seems merely
amused by Jim, but his men threaten to become violent. Silver strives to assert
his power over the mutineers, but they assemble in a far corner, leaving Silver
and Jim in the other corner. Silver whispers to Jim that the men are close to
another mutiny, and that he and Jim need to rely on each other to save their
skins. He tells Jim to play the role of the hostage, to convince Silver’s men
that Silver is still in charge. Finally, Silver reveals that Livesey has given
him the treasure map, which astonishes Jim. Summary:
Chapter XXIX Jim and Silver await the
end of the pirates’ council. One of the pirates hands Silver a black spot, the
official pirate judgment, cut out of a page of the Bible. Silver casually reads
the judgment, which announces that he has been deposed from his position as a
punishment for bungling the mission. Furiously, Silver retorts that if his
wishes had been followed, the men would already be in possession of the
treasure. He claims the failure is the fault of the men, because they forced
his hand as captain. Silver also tells the men that they are all very close to
being hanged. He insists on the usefulness of having Jim as hostage and reminds
the men that it was he, Silver, who arranged for Dr. Livesey to tend to them
every day. As a final gesture Silver
flings down the treasure map Livesey has given him, and the men gather around
his side again. Silver tosses Jim the black spot as a souvenir, and Jim reads
the biblical quote, from the biblical Book of Revelation, that is on the paper.
Jim goes to sleep thinking of the man he has killed that day and of Silver’s
fate. Summary:
Chapter XXX Jim wakes up the next
morning as Dr. Livesey arrives to tend to the pirates. Jim is happy to see the
doctor, but fears his disapproval. Livesey is visibly shocked to see Jim, but
does not speak to him, and proceeds to treat his patients. Finally he asks to
see Jim alone. One of the pirates voices a refusal, but Silver insists that
that the request be granted. Jim and Livesey advance to the other side of the
stockade, still in view of Silver. Livesey expresses surprise that Silver is
not worried about losing his hostage, and Silver replies that he trusts Livesey
as a gentleman. Livesey accuses Jim of
being cowardly in deserting the captain at a moment of weakness. Jim begins to
weep. Livesey suddenly suggests that they both make a run for it and flee the
pirates. Jim responds that such an action would not be right. He tells Livesey
that he knows the location of the Hispaniola. Livesey exclaims that Jim manages
to save their lives at every step. He returns Jim as a hostage to Silver and
warns Silver not to be in any hurry to find the treasure. Chapters XXXI–XXXIV
Summary: Chapter XXXI Silver thanks Jim for saving his life and for not running
away when Dr. Livesey encouraged him to do so. Jim and Silver sit down to
breakfast, and Jim is astonished by the fact that the band has prepared three
times as much food as is needed. Silver’s men are happy, confident of seizing
the treasure soon, but Jim is sad in his certainty that Silver will betray him
at the soonest practical moment. After breakfast the pirates set off on the treasure hunt,
with Silver leading Jim on a leash. They trudge through the hills, periodically
pausing to consult the map. Reaching the top of a hill, the pirates are shocked
to find a skeleton in seaman’s garb, stretched out on the ground like a
compass, pointing to the treasure. The man’s knife is missing, suggesting that
the pirates are not the first to have come across the skeleton. The pirates
recognize the skeleton as a former mate, Allardyce, who served on Flint’s crew,
because of its long bones and yellow hair. Following Allardyce’s clue, they
head on toward the treasure. Summary: Chapter XXXII Taking a rest from the search, Silver expresses his
confidence that they are close to the treasure. One of the pirates feels uneasy
thinking about Flint, and Silver says they are lucky the old captain is dead.
The pirates suddenly hear a trembling, high voice singing the same song the
pirates frequently sing, “Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest.” One of the
pirates claims the voice is Flint’s, and the men grow terrified, thinking they
have awakened a ghost. The pirates hear the voice again, and it wails what all
the men recognize as Flint’s last words. One of the men takes out his Bible and
starts praying. Silver, the only one who remains undaunted, scorns the other
men’s belief in spirits and keeps focused on the search for the treasure. The
pirates continue onward. As they approach the treasure site, Silver’s nostrils
quiver and he seems half mad. Suddenly coming upon the site, the pirates are
shocked to find it has already been excavated, and only an empty hole lies
before them. Summary: Chapter XXXIII Silver and his men are astonished that the treasure is
gone. Silver hands Jim his gun, realizing that he needs the boy after all. Jim
coldly accuses Silver of changing sides again. The men dig in the pit and find
a few coins. One of them accuses Silver of having known all along that the
treasure was gone. The angered pirates suddenly seem united against Silver and
begin to move upon him. Suddenly a gun fires from somewhere in the surrounding
thicket, cutting down several of the pirates. Silver draws his pistol, killing
the pirate who had accused him. Dr. Livesey, Ben Gunn, and Abraham Gray emerge
from the trees, their muskets smoking. Silver thanks Livesey for saving him from the uprising
and greets Ben Gunn affectionately. We learn that Ben, in his wanderings about
the island, had come across the skeleton, dug up the treasure, and moved it to
a cave. Livesey found out about Ben’s actions and gave the map to Silver only
after he knew it was useless. Learning that Jim would be among the disappointed
treasure-seekers, Livesey sent Ben off to imitate Captain Flint’s voice,
playing on the pirates’ superstitions and slowing their progress. Finally, the group goes to the cave and finds the vast
treasure of gold just where Ben left it. Captain Smollett tells Jim that he
will never go to sea with him again. They all enjoy a good meal together, with
Jim especially happy among his friends. Summary: Chapter XXXIV [T]he worst dreams that ever I have are when I hear . . .
the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears: “Pieces of eight!
pieces of eight!” The next morning, the men begin the difficult task of
transporting all the gold down to the Hispaniola. Jim is fascinated by the
coins—far more by the variety of their designs and nations of origin than by
the wealth they represent. On the evening of the third day of loading the ship,
the men discover three of the mutineers, who are either drunk or crazy. The men
decide to leave the three mutineers marooned on the island with a small amount
of provisions. As Captain Smollett and his men finally make preparations
to embark, the three mutineers kneel before them in submission, begging to be
taken on board. Understanding that they are being left behind, they fire at the
departing ship, but no one is hurt. Smollett sets course for a port in Spanish
America before turning home. The Hispaniola eventually returns to Bristol. Stepping back from his tale, Jim reports that Captain
Smollett is retired from the sea life, that Ben has spent his reward and is now
a lodge-keeper, and that Silver crept overboard one night during the voyage
with a few bags of the treasure, never to be heard from again. Jim wishes
Silver well. He notes that the remainder of the treasure still lies buried on
the island, but claims that nothing would ever induce him to take part in
another treasure hunt. He says that he still has nightmares of Silver’s parrot
crying, “Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!”
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