Reading Help Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Ch.I-III
laid his hand upon my arm. `
` `
` "Ah," says he, "this here is a sweet spot, this island-- `
` a sweet spot for a lad to get ashore on. You'll bathe, `
` and you'll climb trees, and you'll hunt goats, you will; `
` and you'll get aloft on them hills like a goat yourself. `
` Why, it makes me young again. I was going to forget my `
` timber leg, I was. It's a pleasant thing to be young and `
` have ten toes, and you may lay to that. When you want to `
` go a bit of exploring, you just ask old John, and he'll `
` put up a snack for you to take along." `
` `
` And clapping me in the friendliest way upon the `
` shoulder, he hobbled off forward and went below. `
` `
` Captain Smollett, the squire, and Dr. Livesey were `
` talking together on the quarter-deck, and anxious as I `
` was to tell them my story, I durst not interrupt them `
` openly. While I was still casting about in my thoughts `
` to find some probable excuse, Dr. Livesey called me to `
` his side. He had left his pipe below, and being a slave `
` to tobacco, had meant that I should fetch it; but as soon `
` as I was near enough to speak and not to be overheard, I `
` broke immediately, "Doctor, let me speak. Get the captain `
` and squire down to the cabin, and then make some pretence `
` to send for me. I have terrible news." `
` `
` The doctor changed countenance a little, but next `
` moment he was master of himself. `
` `
` "Thank you, Jim," said he quite loudly, "that was all I `
` wanted to know," as if he had asked me a question. `
` `
` And with that he turned on his heel and rejoined the `
` other two. They spoke together for a little, and `
` though none of them started, or raised his voice, or so `
` much as whistled, it was plain enough that Dr. Livesey `
` had communicated my request, for the next thing that I `
` heard was the captain giving an order to Job Anderson, `
` and all hands were piped on deck. `
` `
` "My lads," said Captain Smollett, "I've a word to say `
` to you. This land that we have sighted is the place we `
` have been sailing for. Mr. Trelawney, being a very `
` open-handed gentleman, as we all know, has just asked `
` me a word or two, and as I was able to tell him that `
` every man on board had done his duty, alow and aloft, `
` as I never ask to see it done better, why, he and I and `
` the doctor are going below to the cabin to drink YOUR `
` health and luck, and you'll have grog served out `
` for you to drink OUR health and luck. I'll tell `
` you what I think of this: I think it handsome. And if `
` you think as I do, you'll give a good sea-cheer for the `
` gentleman that does it." `
` `
` The cheer followed--that was a matter of course; but it `
` rang out so full and hearty that I confess I could hardly `
` believe these same men were plotting for our blood. `
` `
` "One more cheer for Cap'n Smollett," cried Long John `
` when the first had subsided. `
` `
` And this also was given with a will. `
` `
` On the top of that the three gentlemen went below, and `
` not long after, word was sent forward that Jim Hawkins `
` was wanted in the cabin. `
` `
` I found them all three seated round the table, a bottle `
` of Spanish wine and some raisins before them, and the `
` doctor smoking away, with his wig on his lap, and that, `
` I knew, was a sign that he was agitated. The stern `
` window was open, for it was a warm night, and you could `
` see the moon shining behind on the ship's wake. `
` `
` "Now, Hawkins," said the squire, "you have something to `
` say. Speak up." `
` `
` I did as I was bid, and as short as I could make it, `
` told the whole details of Silver's conversation. `
` Nobody interrupted me till I was done, nor did any one `
` of the three of them make so much as a movement, but `
` they kept their eyes upon my face from first to last. `
` `
` "Jim," said Dr. Livesey, "take a seat." `
` `
` And they made me sit down at table beside them, poured `
` me out a glass of wine, filled my hands with raisins, `
` and all three, one after the other, and each with a `
` bow, drank my good health, and their service to me, for `
` my luck and courage. `
` `
` "Now, captain," said the squire, "you were right, and I `
` was wrong. I own myself an ass, and I await your orders." `
` `
` "No more an ass than I, sir," returned the captain. "I `
` never heard of a crew that meant to mutiny but what `
` showed signs before, for any man that had an eye in his `
` head to see the mischief and take steps according. But `
` this crew," he added, "beats me." `
` `
` "Captain," said the doctor, "with your permission, `
` that's Silver. A very remarkable man." `
` `
` "He'd look remarkably well from a yard-arm, sir," `
` returned the captain. "But this is talk; this don't `
` lead to anything. I see three or four points, and with `
` Mr. Trelawney's permission, I'll name them." `
` `
` "You, sir, are the captain. It is for you to speak," `
` says Mr. Trelawney grandly. `
` `
` "First point," began Mr. Smollett. "We must go on, `
` because we can't turn back. If I gave the word to go `
` about, they would rise at once. Second point, we have `
` time before us--at least until this treasure's found. `
` Third point, there are faithful hands. Now, sir, it's `
` got to come to blows sooner or later, and what I `
` propose is to take time by the forelock, as the saying `
` is, and come to blows some fine day when they least `
` expect it. We can count, I take it, on your own home `
` servants, Mr. Trelawney?" `
` `
` "As upon myself," declared the squire. `
` `
` "Three," reckoned the captain; "ourselves make seven, `
` counting Hawkins here. Now, about the honest hands?" `
` `
` "Most likely Trelawney's own men," said the doctor; "those `
` he had picked up for himself before he lit on Silver." `
` `
` "Nay," replied the squire. "Hands was one of mine." `
` `
` "I did think I could have trusted Hands," added the captain. `
` `
` "And to think that they're all Englishmen!" broke out `
` the squire. "Sir, I could find it in my heart to blow `
` the ship up." `
` `
` "Well, gentlemen," said the captain, "the best that I `
` can say is not much. We must lay to, if you please, `
` and keep a bright lookout. It's trying on a man, I `
` know. It would be pleasanter to come to blows. But `
` there's no help for it till we know our men. Lay to, `
` and whistle for a wind, that's my view." `
` `
` "Jim here," said the doctor, "can help us more than `
` anyone. The men are not shy with him, and Jim is a `
` noticing lad." `
` `
` "Hawkins, I put prodigious faith in you," added the squire. `
` `
` I began to feel pretty desperate at this, for I felt `
` altogether helpless; and yet, by an odd train of `
` circumstances, it was indeed through me that safety came. `
` In the meantime, talk as we pleased, 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, so that the `
` grown men on our side were six to their nineteen. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` PART THREE `
` `
` My Shore Adventure `
` `
` `
` `
` 13 `
` `
` How My Shore Adventure Began `
` `
` THE appearance of the island when I came on deck next `
` morning was altogether changed. Although the breeze `
` had now utterly ceased, we had made a great deal of way `
` during the night and were now lying becalmed about half `
` a mile to the south-east of the low eastern coast. `
` Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the `
` surface. This even tint was indeed broken up by `
` streaks of yellow sand-break in the lower lands, and by `
` many tall trees of the pine family, out-topping the `
` others--some singly, some in clumps; but the general `
` colouring was uniform and sad. The hills ran up clear `
` above the vegetation in spires of naked rock. All were `
` strangely shaped, and the Spy-glass, which was by three `
` or four hundred feet the tallest on the island, was `
` likewise the strangest in configuration, running up `
` sheer from almost every side and then suddenly cut off `
` at the top like a pedestal to put a statue on. `
` `
` The HISPANIOLA was rolling scuppers under in the `
` ocean swell. The booms were tearing at the blocks, the `
` rudder was banging to and fro, and the whole ship `
` creaking, groaning, and jumping like a manufactory. I `
` had to cling tight to the backstay, and the world `
` turned giddily before my eyes, for though I was a good `
` enough sailor when there was way on, this standing `
` still and being rolled about like a bottle was a thing `
` I never learned to stand without a qualm or so, above `
`
` `
` "Ah," says he, "this here is a sweet spot, this island-- `
` a sweet spot for a lad to get ashore on. You'll bathe, `
` and you'll climb trees, and you'll hunt goats, you will; `
` and you'll get aloft on them hills like a goat yourself. `
` Why, it makes me young again. I was going to forget my `
` timber leg, I was. It's a pleasant thing to be young and `
` have ten toes, and you may lay to that. When you want to `
` go a bit of exploring, you just ask old John, and he'll `
` put up a snack for you to take along." `
` `
` And clapping me in the friendliest way upon the `
` shoulder, he hobbled off forward and went below. `
` `
` Captain Smollett, the squire, and Dr. Livesey were `
` talking together on the quarter-deck, and anxious as I `
` was to tell them my story, I durst not interrupt them `
` openly. While I was still casting about in my thoughts `
` to find some probable excuse, Dr. Livesey called me to `
` his side. He had left his pipe below, and being a slave `
` to tobacco, had meant that I should fetch it; but as soon `
` as I was near enough to speak and not to be overheard, I `
` broke immediately, "Doctor, let me speak. Get the captain `
` and squire down to the cabin, and then make some pretence `
` to send for me. I have terrible news." `
` `
` The doctor changed countenance a little, but next `
` moment he was master of himself. `
` `
` "Thank you, Jim," said he quite loudly, "that was all I `
` wanted to know," as if he had asked me a question. `
` `
` And with that he turned on his heel and rejoined the `
` other two. They spoke together for a little, and `
` though none of them started, or raised his voice, or so `
` much as whistled, it was plain enough that Dr. Livesey `
` had communicated my request, for the next thing that I `
` heard was the captain giving an order to Job Anderson, `
` and all hands were piped on deck. `
` `
` "My lads," said Captain Smollett, "I've a word to say `
` to you. This land that we have sighted is the place we `
` have been sailing for. Mr. Trelawney, being a very `
` open-handed gentleman, as we all know, has just asked `
` me a word or two, and as I was able to tell him that `
` every man on board had done his duty, alow and aloft, `
` as I never ask to see it done better, why, he and I and `
` the doctor are going below to the cabin to drink YOUR `
` health and luck, and you'll have grog served out `
` for you to drink OUR health and luck. I'll tell `
` you what I think of this: I think it handsome. And if `
` you think as I do, you'll give a good sea-cheer for the `
` gentleman that does it." `
` `
` The cheer followed--that was a matter of course; but it `
` rang out so full and hearty that I confess I could hardly `
` believe these same men were plotting for our blood. `
` `
` "One more cheer for Cap'n Smollett," cried Long John `
` when the first had subsided. `
` `
` And this also was given with a will. `
` `
` On the top of that the three gentlemen went below, and `
` not long after, word was sent forward that Jim Hawkins `
` was wanted in the cabin. `
` `
` I found them all three seated round the table, a bottle `
` of Spanish wine and some raisins before them, and the `
` doctor smoking away, with his wig on his lap, and that, `
` I knew, was a sign that he was agitated. The stern `
` window was open, for it was a warm night, and you could `
` see the moon shining behind on the ship's wake. `
` `
` "Now, Hawkins," said the squire, "you have something to `
` say. Speak up." `
` `
` I did as I was bid, and as short as I could make it, `
` told the whole details of Silver's conversation. `
` Nobody interrupted me till I was done, nor did any one `
` of the three of them make so much as a movement, but `
` they kept their eyes upon my face from first to last. `
` `
` "Jim," said Dr. Livesey, "take a seat." `
` `
` And they made me sit down at table beside them, poured `
` me out a glass of wine, filled my hands with raisins, `
` and all three, one after the other, and each with a `
` bow, drank my good health, and their service to me, for `
` my luck and courage. `
` `
` "Now, captain," said the squire, "you were right, and I `
` was wrong. I own myself an ass, and I await your orders." `
` `
` "No more an ass than I, sir," returned the captain. "I `
` never heard of a crew that meant to mutiny but what `
` showed signs before, for any man that had an eye in his `
` head to see the mischief and take steps according. But `
` this crew," he added, "beats me." `
` `
` "Captain," said the doctor, "with your permission, `
` that's Silver. A very remarkable man." `
` `
` "He'd look remarkably well from a yard-arm, sir," `
` returned the captain. "But this is talk; this don't `
` lead to anything. I see three or four points, and with `
` Mr. Trelawney's permission, I'll name them." `
` `
` "You, sir, are the captain. It is for you to speak," `
` says Mr. Trelawney grandly. `
` `
` "First point," began Mr. Smollett. "We must go on, `
` because we can't turn back. If I gave the word to go `
` about, they would rise at once. Second point, we have `
` time before us--at least until this treasure's found. `
` Third point, there are faithful hands. Now, sir, it's `
` got to come to blows sooner or later, and what I `
` propose is to take time by the forelock, as the saying `
` is, and come to blows some fine day when they least `
` expect it. We can count, I take it, on your own home `
` servants, Mr. Trelawney?" `
` `
` "As upon myself," declared the squire. `
` `
` "Three," reckoned the captain; "ourselves make seven, `
` counting Hawkins here. Now, about the honest hands?" `
` `
` "Most likely Trelawney's own men," said the doctor; "those `
` he had picked up for himself before he lit on Silver." `
` `
` "Nay," replied the squire. "Hands was one of mine." `
` `
` "I did think I could have trusted Hands," added the captain. `
` `
` "And to think that they're all Englishmen!" broke out `
` the squire. "Sir, I could find it in my heart to blow `
` the ship up." `
` `
` "Well, gentlemen," said the captain, "the best that I `
` can say is not much. We must lay to, if you please, `
` and keep a bright lookout. It's trying on a man, I `
` know. It would be pleasanter to come to blows. But `
` there's no help for it till we know our men. Lay to, `
` and whistle for a wind, that's my view." `
` `
` "Jim here," said the doctor, "can help us more than `
` anyone. The men are not shy with him, and Jim is a `
` noticing lad." `
` `
` "Hawkins, I put prodigious faith in you," added the squire. `
` `
` I began to feel pretty desperate at this, for I felt `
` altogether helpless; and yet, by an odd train of `
` circumstances, it was indeed through me that safety came. `
` In the meantime, talk as we pleased, 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, so that the `
` grown men on our side were six to their nineteen. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` PART THREE `
` `
` My Shore Adventure `
` `
` `
` `
` 13 `
` `
` How My Shore Adventure Began `
` `
` THE appearance of the island when I came on deck next `
` morning was altogether changed. Although the breeze `
` had now utterly ceased, we had made a great deal of way `
` during the night and were now lying becalmed about half `
` a mile to the south-east of the low eastern coast. `
` Grey-coloured woods covered a large part of the `
` surface. This even tint was indeed broken up by `
` streaks of yellow sand-break in the lower lands, and by `
` many tall trees of the pine family, out-topping the `
` others--some singly, some in clumps; but the general `
` colouring was uniform and sad. The hills ran up clear `
` above the vegetation in spires of naked rock. All were `
` strangely shaped, and the Spy-glass, which was by three `
` or four hundred feet the tallest on the island, was `
` likewise the strangest in configuration, running up `
` sheer from almost every side and then suddenly cut off `
` at the top like a pedestal to put a statue on. `
` `
` The HISPANIOLA was rolling scuppers under in the `
` ocean swell. The booms were tearing at the blocks, the `
` rudder was banging to and fro, and the whole ship `
` creaking, groaning, and jumping like a manufactory. I `
` had to cling tight to the backstay, and the world `
` turned giddily before my eyes, for though I was a good `
` enough sailor when there was way on, this standing `
` still and being rolled about like a bottle was a thing `
` I never learned to stand without a qualm or so, above `
`