Reading Help Treasure Island Ch.IV-VI
I will own that I here began to weep. "Doctor," I `
` said, "you might spare me. I have blamed myself `
` enough; my life's forfeit anyway, and I should have `
` been dead by now if Silver hadn't stood for me; and `
` doctor, believe this, I can die--and I dare say I `
` deserve it--but what I fear is torture. If they come `
` to torture me--" `
` `
` "Jim," the doctor interrupted, and his voice was quite `
` changed, "Jim, I can't have this. Whip over, and we'll `
` run for it." `
` `
` "Doctor," said I, "I passed my word." `
` `
` "I know, I know," he cried. "We can't help that, Jim, `
` now. I'll take it on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame `
` and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you. `
` Jump! One jump, and you're out, and we'll run for it `
` like antelopes." `
` `
` "No," I replied; "you know right well you wouldn't do `
` the thing yourself--neither you nor squire nor captain; `
` and no more will I. Silver trusted me; I passed my `
` word, and back I go. But, doctor, you did not let me `
` finish. If they come to torture me, I might let slip a `
` word of where the ship is, for I got the ship, part by `
` luck and part by risking, and she lies in North Inlet, `
` on the southern beach, and just below high water. At `
` half tide she must be high and dry." `
` `
` "The ship!" exclaimed the doctor. `
` `
` Rapidly I described to him my adventures, and he heard `
` me out in silence. `
` `
` "There is a kind of fate in this," he observed when I `
` had done. "Every step, it's you that saves our lives; `
` and do you suppose by any chance that we are going to `
` let you lose yours? That would be a poor return, my `
` boy. You found out the plot; you found Ben Gunn--the `
` best deed that ever you did, or will do, though you `
` live to ninety. Oh, by Jupiter, and talking of Ben `
` Gunn! Why, this is the mischief in person. Silver!" `
` he cried. "Silver! I'll give you a piece of advice," `
` he continued as the cook drew near again; "don't you be `
` in any great hurry after that treasure." `
` `
` "Why, sir, I do my possible, which that ain't," said `
` Silver. "I can only, asking your pardon, save my life `
` and the boy's by seeking for that treasure; and you may `
` lay to that." `
` `
` "Well, Silver," replied the doctor, "if that is so, I'll `
` go one step further: look out for squalls when you find it." `
` `
` "Sir," said Silver, "as between man and man, that's too `
` much and too little. What you're after, why you left `
` the block house, why you given me that there chart, I `
` don't know, now, do I? And yet I done your bidding `
` with my eyes shut and never a word of hope! But no, `
` this here's too much. If you won't tell me what you `
` mean plain out, just say so and I'll leave the helm." `
` `
` "No," said the doctor musingly; "I've no right to say `
` more; it's not my secret, you see, Silver, or, I give `
` you my word, I'd tell it you. But I'll go as far with `
` you as I dare go, and a step beyond, for I'll have my `
` wig sorted by the captain or I'm mistaken! And first, `
` I'll give you a bit of hope; Silver, if we both get `
` alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll do my best to save `
` you, short of perjury." `
` `
` Silver's face was radiant. "You couldn't say more, I'm `
` sure, sir, not if you was my mother," he cried. `
` `
` "Well, that's my first concession," added the doctor. `
` "My second is a piece of advice: keep the boy close `
` beside you, and when you need help, halloo. I'm off to `
` seek it for you, and that itself will show you if I `
` speak at random. Good-bye, Jim." `
` `
` And Dr. Livesey shook hands with me through the `
` stockade, nodded to Silver, and set off at a brisk pace `
` into the wood. `
` `
` `
` `
` 31 `
` `
` The Treasure-hunt--Flint's Pointer `
` `
` "JIM," said Silver when we were alone, "if I saved your `
` life, you saved mine; and I'll not forget it. I seen `
` the doctor waving you to run for it--with the tail of `
` my eye, I did; and I seen you say no, as plain as hearing. `
` Jim, that's one to you. This is the first glint of hope `
` I had since the attack failed, and I owe it you. And now, `
` Jim, we're to go in for this here treasure-hunting, with `
` sealed orders too, and I don't like it; and you and me `
` must stick close, back to back like, and we'll save our `
` necks in spite o' fate and fortune." `
` `
` Just then a man hailed us from the fire that breakfast `
` was ready, and we were soon seated here and there about `
` the sand over biscuit and fried junk. They had lit a `
` fire fit to roast an ox, and it was now grown so hot `
` that they could only approach it from the windward, and `
` even there not without precaution. In the same `
` wasteful spirit, they had cooked, I suppose, three `
` times more than we could eat; and one of them, with an `
` empty laugh, threw what was left into the fire, which `
` blazed and roared again over this unusual fuel. I `
` never in my life saw men so careless of the morrow; `
` hand to mouth is the only word that can describe their `
` way of doing; and what with wasted food and sleeping `
` sentries, though they were bold enough for a brush and `
` be done with it, I could see their entire unfitness for `
` anything like a prolonged campaign. `
` `
` Even Silver, eating away, with Captain Flint upon his `
` shoulder, had not a word of blame for their recklessness. `
` And this the more surprised me, for I thought he had `
` never shown himself so cunning as he did then. `
` `
` "Aye, mates," said he, "it's lucky you have Barbecue to `
` think for you with this here head. I got what I wanted, `
` I did. Sure enough, they have the ship. Where they have `
` it, I don't know yet; but once we hit the treasure, we'll `
` have to jump about and find out. And then, mates, us that `
` has the boats, I reckon, has the upper hand." `
` `
` Thus he kept running on, with his mouth full of the hot `
` bacon; thus he restored their hope and confidence, and, `
` I more than suspect, repaired his own at the same time. `
` `
` "As for hostage," he continued, "that's his last talk, `
` I guess, with them he loves so dear. I've got my piece `
` o' news, and thanky to him for that; but it's over and `
` done. I'll take him in a line when we go treasure- `
` hunting, for we'll keep him like so much gold, in case `
` of accidents, you mark, and in the meantime. Once we `
` got the ship and treasure both and off to sea like `
` jolly companions, why then we'll talk Mr. Hawkins over, `
` we will, and we'll give him his share, to be sure, for `
` all his kindness." `
` `
` It was no wonder the men were in a good humour now. `
` For my part, I was horribly cast down. Should the `
` scheme he had now sketched prove feasible, Silver, `
` already doubly a traitor, would not hesitate to adopt `
` it. He had still a foot in either camp, and there was `
` no doubt he would prefer wealth and freedom with the `
` pirates to a bare escape from hanging, which was the `
` best he had to hope on our side. `
` `
` Nay, and even if things so fell out that he was forced `
` to keep his faith with Dr. Livesey, even then what `
` danger lay before us! What a moment that would be when `
` the suspicions of his followers turned to certainty and `
` he and I should have to fight for dear life--he a cripple `
` and I a boy--against five strong and active seamen! `
` `
` Add to this double apprehension the mystery that still `
` hung over the behaviour of my friends, their `
` unexplained desertion of the stockade, their `
` inexplicable cession of the chart, or harder still to `
` understand, the doctor's last warning to Silver, "Look `
` out for squalls when you find it," and you will readily `
` believe how little taste I found in my breakfast and `
` with how uneasy a heart I set forth behind my captors `
` on the quest for treasure. `
` `
` We made a curious figure, had anyone been there to see `
` us--all in soiled sailor clothes and all but me armed `
` to the teeth. Silver had two guns slung about him--one `
` before and one behind--besides the great cutlass at his `
` waist and a pistol in each pocket of his square-tailed `
` coat. To complete his strange appearance, Captain `
` Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbling odds `
` and ends of purposeless sea-talk. I had a line about `
` my waist and followed obediently after the sea-cook, `
` who held the loose end of the rope, now in his free `
` hand, now between his powerful teeth. For all the `
` world, I was led like a dancing bear. `
` `
` The other men were variously burthened, some carrying `
` picks and shovels--for that had been the very first `
` necessary they brought ashore from the HISPANIOLA-- `
` others laden with pork, bread, and brandy for the `
` midday meal. All the stores, I observed, came from our `
` stock, and I could see the truth of Silver's words the `
` night before. Had he not struck a bargain with the doctor, `
` he and his mutineers, deserted by the ship, must have been `
` driven to subsist on clear water and the proceeds of their `
` hunting. Water would have been little to their taste; a `
` sailor is not usually a good shot; and besides all that, `
` when they were so short of eatables, it was not likely `
` they would be very flush of powder. `
` `
` Well, thus equipped, we all set out--even the fellow `
` with the broken head, who should certainly have kept in `
`
` said, "you might spare me. I have blamed myself `
` enough; my life's forfeit anyway, and I should have `
` been dead by now if Silver hadn't stood for me; and `
` doctor, believe this, I can die--and I dare say I `
` deserve it--but what I fear is torture. If they come `
` to torture me--" `
` `
` "Jim," the doctor interrupted, and his voice was quite `
` changed, "Jim, I can't have this. Whip over, and we'll `
` run for it." `
` `
` "Doctor," said I, "I passed my word." `
` `
` "I know, I know," he cried. "We can't help that, Jim, `
` now. I'll take it on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame `
` and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you. `
` Jump! One jump, and you're out, and we'll run for it `
` like antelopes." `
` `
` "No," I replied; "you know right well you wouldn't do `
` the thing yourself--neither you nor squire nor captain; `
` and no more will I. Silver trusted me; I passed my `
` word, and back I go. But, doctor, you did not let me `
` finish. If they come to torture me, I might let slip a `
` word of where the ship is, for I got the ship, part by `
` luck and part by risking, and she lies in North Inlet, `
` on the southern beach, and just below high water. At `
` half tide she must be high and dry." `
` `
` "The ship!" exclaimed the doctor. `
` `
` Rapidly I described to him my adventures, and he heard `
` me out in silence. `
` `
` "There is a kind of fate in this," he observed when I `
` had done. "Every step, it's you that saves our lives; `
` and do you suppose by any chance that we are going to `
` let you lose yours? That would be a poor return, my `
` boy. You found out the plot; you found Ben Gunn--the `
` best deed that ever you did, or will do, though you `
` live to ninety. Oh, by Jupiter, and talking of Ben `
` Gunn! Why, this is the mischief in person. Silver!" `
` he cried. "Silver! I'll give you a piece of advice," `
` he continued as the cook drew near again; "don't you be `
` in any great hurry after that treasure." `
` `
` "Why, sir, I do my possible, which that ain't," said `
` Silver. "I can only, asking your pardon, save my life `
` and the boy's by seeking for that treasure; and you may `
` lay to that." `
` `
` "Well, Silver," replied the doctor, "if that is so, I'll `
` go one step further: look out for squalls when you find it." `
` `
` "Sir," said Silver, "as between man and man, that's too `
` much and too little. What you're after, why you left `
` the block house, why you given me that there chart, I `
` don't know, now, do I? And yet I done your bidding `
` with my eyes shut and never a word of hope! But no, `
` this here's too much. If you won't tell me what you `
` mean plain out, just say so and I'll leave the helm." `
` `
` "No," said the doctor musingly; "I've no right to say `
` more; it's not my secret, you see, Silver, or, I give `
` you my word, I'd tell it you. But I'll go as far with `
` you as I dare go, and a step beyond, for I'll have my `
` wig sorted by the captain or I'm mistaken! And first, `
` I'll give you a bit of hope; Silver, if we both get `
` alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll do my best to save `
` you, short of perjury." `
` `
` Silver's face was radiant. "You couldn't say more, I'm `
` sure, sir, not if you was my mother," he cried. `
` `
` "Well, that's my first concession," added the doctor. `
` "My second is a piece of advice: keep the boy close `
` beside you, and when you need help, halloo. I'm off to `
` seek it for you, and that itself will show you if I `
` speak at random. Good-bye, Jim." `
` `
` And Dr. Livesey shook hands with me through the `
` stockade, nodded to Silver, and set off at a brisk pace `
` into the wood. `
` `
` `
` `
` 31 `
` `
` The Treasure-hunt--Flint's Pointer `
` `
` "JIM," said Silver when we were alone, "if I saved your `
` life, you saved mine; and I'll not forget it. I seen `
` the doctor waving you to run for it--with the tail of `
` my eye, I did; and I seen you say no, as plain as hearing. `
` Jim, that's one to you. This is the first glint of hope `
` I had since the attack failed, and I owe it you. And now, `
` Jim, we're to go in for this here treasure-hunting, with `
` sealed orders too, and I don't like it; and you and me `
` must stick close, back to back like, and we'll save our `
` necks in spite o' fate and fortune." `
` `
` Just then a man hailed us from the fire that breakfast `
` was ready, and we were soon seated here and there about `
` the sand over biscuit and fried junk. They had lit a `
` fire fit to roast an ox, and it was now grown so hot `
` that they could only approach it from the windward, and `
` even there not without precaution. In the same `
` wasteful spirit, they had cooked, I suppose, three `
` times more than we could eat; and one of them, with an `
` empty laugh, threw what was left into the fire, which `
` blazed and roared again over this unusual fuel. I `
` never in my life saw men so careless of the morrow; `
` hand to mouth is the only word that can describe their `
` way of doing; and what with wasted food and sleeping `
` sentries, though they were bold enough for a brush and `
` be done with it, I could see their entire unfitness for `
` anything like a prolonged campaign. `
` `
` Even Silver, eating away, with Captain Flint upon his `
` shoulder, had not a word of blame for their recklessness. `
` And this the more surprised me, for I thought he had `
` never shown himself so cunning as he did then. `
` `
` "Aye, mates," said he, "it's lucky you have Barbecue to `
` think for you with this here head. I got what I wanted, `
` I did. Sure enough, they have the ship. Where they have `
` it, I don't know yet; but once we hit the treasure, we'll `
` have to jump about and find out. And then, mates, us that `
` has the boats, I reckon, has the upper hand." `
` `
` Thus he kept running on, with his mouth full of the hot `
` bacon; thus he restored their hope and confidence, and, `
` I more than suspect, repaired his own at the same time. `
` `
` "As for hostage," he continued, "that's his last talk, `
` I guess, with them he loves so dear. I've got my piece `
` o' news, and thanky to him for that; but it's over and `
` done. I'll take him in a line when we go treasure- `
` hunting, for we'll keep him like so much gold, in case `
` of accidents, you mark, and in the meantime. Once we `
` got the ship and treasure both and off to sea like `
` jolly companions, why then we'll talk Mr. Hawkins over, `
` we will, and we'll give him his share, to be sure, for `
` all his kindness." `
` `
` It was no wonder the men were in a good humour now. `
` For my part, I was horribly cast down. Should the `
` scheme he had now sketched prove feasible, Silver, `
` already doubly a traitor, would not hesitate to adopt `
` it. He had still a foot in either camp, and there was `
` no doubt he would prefer wealth and freedom with the `
` pirates to a bare escape from hanging, which was the `
` best he had to hope on our side. `
` `
` Nay, and even if things so fell out that he was forced `
` to keep his faith with Dr. Livesey, even then what `
` danger lay before us! What a moment that would be when `
` the suspicions of his followers turned to certainty and `
` he and I should have to fight for dear life--he a cripple `
` and I a boy--against five strong and active seamen! `
` `
` Add to this double apprehension the mystery that still `
` hung over the behaviour of my friends, their `
` unexplained desertion of the stockade, their `
` inexplicable cession of the chart, or harder still to `
` understand, the doctor's last warning to Silver, "Look `
` out for squalls when you find it," and you will readily `
` believe how little taste I found in my breakfast and `
` with how uneasy a heart I set forth behind my captors `
` on the quest for treasure. `
` `
` We made a curious figure, had anyone been there to see `
` us--all in soiled sailor clothes and all but me armed `
` to the teeth. Silver had two guns slung about him--one `
` before and one behind--besides the great cutlass at his `
` waist and a pistol in each pocket of his square-tailed `
` coat. To complete his strange appearance, Captain `
` Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbling odds `
` and ends of purposeless sea-talk. I had a line about `
` my waist and followed obediently after the sea-cook, `
` who held the loose end of the rope, now in his free `
` hand, now between his powerful teeth. For all the `
` world, I was led like a dancing bear. `
` `
` The other men were variously burthened, some carrying `
` picks and shovels--for that had been the very first `
` necessary they brought ashore from the HISPANIOLA-- `
` others laden with pork, bread, and brandy for the `
` midday meal. All the stores, I observed, came from our `
` stock, and I could see the truth of Silver's words the `
` night before. Had he not struck a bargain with the doctor, `
` he and his mutineers, deserted by the ship, must have been `
` driven to subsist on clear water and the proceeds of their `
` hunting. Water would have been little to their taste; a `
` sailor is not usually a good shot; and besides all that, `
` when they were so short of eatables, it was not likely `
` they would be very flush of powder. `
` `
` Well, thus equipped, we all set out--even the fellow `
` with the broken head, who should certainly have kept in `
`