War Council

There was a great rush of feet across the deck. I could hear people tumbling up from the cabin and the forecastle, and slipping in an instant outside my barrel, I dived behind the fore-sail, made a double towards the stern, and came out upon the open deck in time to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey in the rush for the weather bow.

There was a great rush of feet across the deck. I heard people scrambling up from the cabin and the forecastle. I slipped out of my barrel at once and dived behind the fore-sail. Then I doubled back toward the stern and came out onto the open deck. I was in time to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey as they rushed toward the weather bow.

There all hands were already congregated. A belt of fog had lifted almost simultaneously with the appearance of the moon. Away to the south-west of us we saw two low hills, about a couple of miles apart, and rising behind one of them a third and higher hill, whose peak was still buried in the fog. All three seemed sharp and conical in figure.

Everyone had already gathered there. A band of fog lifted almost at the same time as the moon appeared. To our southwest, we saw two low hills about two miles apart. A third, higher hill rose behind one of them, its peak still hidden in the fog. All three hills looked steep and cone-shaped.

So much I saw, almost in a dream, for I had not yet recovered from my horrid fear of a minute or two before. And then I heard the voice of Captain Smollett issuing orders. The Hispaniola was laid a couple of points nearer the wind and now sailed a course that would just clear the island on the east.

I saw all this almost as if in a dream. I had not yet recovered from the terrible fear I had felt a minute or two before. Then I heard Captain Smollett giving orders. The Hispaniola turned a couple of points closer to the wind. She now sailed on a course that would just clear the island to the east.

“And now, men,” said the captain, when all was sheeted home, “has any one of you ever seen that land ahead?”

“And now, men,” said the captain, once all the sails were secured, “has any of you ever seen that land ahead?”

“I have, sir,” said Silver. “I’ve watered there with a trader I was cook in.”

“I have, sir,” said Silver. “I collected fresh water there while working as a cook on a trading ship.”

“The anchorage is on the south, behind an islet, I fancy?” asked the captain.

“The anchorage is on the south side, behind a small island, I think?” asked the captain.

“Yes, sir; Skeleton Island they calls it. It were a main place for pirates once, and a hand we had on board knowed all their names for it. That hill to the nor’ard they calls the Foremast Hill; there are three hills in a row running south’ard—fore, main, and mizzen, sir. But the main—that’s the big un, with the cloud on it—they usually calls the Spy-glass, by reason of a lookout they kept when they was in the anchorage cleaning, for it’s there they cleaned their ships, sir, asking your pardon.”

“Yes, sir, they call it Skeleton Island. It used to be a major place for pirates. One of our crew knew all their names for places on the island. They call that hill to the north Foremast Hill. There are three hills in a row running south: fore, main, and mizzen, sir. But they usually call the main hill the Spy-glass. That’s the big one with the cloud on it. They call it that because they kept a lookout there when they were cleaning their ships in the anchorage. That’s where they cleaned their ships, sir, if you’ll pardon me.”

“I have a chart here,” says Captain Smollett. “See if that’s the place.”

“I have a map here,” says Captain Smollett. “See if that’s the place.”

Long John’s eyes burned in his head as he took the chart, but by the fresh look of the paper I knew he was doomed to disappointment. This was not the map we found in Billy Bones’s chest, but an accurate copy, complete in all things—names and heights and soundings—with the single exception of the red crosses and the written notes. Sharp as must have been his annoyance, Silver had the strength of mind to hide it.

Long John’s eyes burned as he took the chart, but the fresh paper told me he would be disappointed. This was not the map we found in Billy Bones’s chest. It was an accurate copy, complete with all the names, heights, and depth measurements. Only the red crosses and written notes were missing. However annoyed Silver must have been, he had the self-control to hide it.

“Yes, sir,” said he, “this is the spot, to be sure, and very prettily drawed out. Who might have done that, I wonder? The pirates were too ignorant, I reckon. Aye, here it is: ‘Capt. Kidd’s Anchorage’—just the name my shipmate called it. There’s a strong current runs along the south, and then away nor’ard up the west coast. Right you was, sir,” says he, “to haul your wind and keep the weather of the island. Leastways, if such was your intention as to enter and careen, and there ain’t no better place for that in these waters.”

“Yes, sir,” he said, “this is the spot, sure enough, and it’s very neatly drawn. I wonder who drew it? The pirates were too ignorant, I reckon. Yes, here it is: ‘Capt. Kidd’s Anchorage,’ just what my shipmate called it. There’s a strong current along the south side, then north up the west coast. You were right, sir,” he said, “to sail close to the wind and keep to the windward side of the island. That is, if you meant to enter the anchorage and careen the ship. There’s no better place for that in these waters.”

“Thank you, my man,” says Captain Smollett. “I’ll ask you later on to give us a help. You may go.”

“Thank you, my man,” says Captain Smollett. “I’ll ask you to help us later. You may go.”

I was surprised at the coolness with which John avowed his knowledge of the island, and I own I was half-frightened when I saw him drawing nearer to myself. He did not know, to be sure, that I had overheard his council from the apple barrel, and yet I had by this time taken such a horror of his cruelty, duplicity, and power that I could scarce conceal a shudder when he laid his hand upon my arm.

I was surprised at how calmly John admitted that he knew the island. I admit I was half afraid when I saw him coming closer to me. Of course, he did not know that I had overheard his discussion from the apple barrel. But by then I was so horrified by his cruelty, deceit, and power that I could hardly hide a shudder when he put his hand on 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.”

“Ah,” he says, “this island is a lovely spot. It’s a lovely place for a boy to come ashore. You’ll swim, climb trees, and hunt goats. You’ll climb those hills like a goat yourself. Why, it makes me feel young again. I nearly forgot my wooden leg. It’s a pleasant thing to be young and have ten toes, you can be sure of that. When you want to do a little exploring, just ask old John. He’ll pack you a snack to take along.”

And clapping me in the friendliest way upon the shoulder, he hobbled off forward and went below.

He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder, then hobbled toward the front of the ship 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.”

Captain Smollett, the squire, and Dr. Livesey were talking together on the quarter-deck. I was anxious to tell them my story, but I did not dare interrupt them openly. I was still trying to think of a good excuse when Dr. Livesey called me over. He had left his pipe below, and he was a slave to tobacco, so he meant to send me to fetch it. But as soon as I was close enough to speak without being overheard, I blurted out, “Doctor, let me speak. Get the captain and squire down to the cabin, and then find some excuse to send for me. I have terrible news.”

The doctor changed countenance a little, but next moment he was master of himself.

The doctor’s expression changed slightly, but he regained control of himself a moment later.

“Thank you, Jim,” said he quite loudly, “that was all I wanted to know,” as if he had asked me a question.

“Thank you, Jim,” he said quite loudly. “That was all I wanted to know.” He spoke 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.

With that, he turned around and rejoined the other two. They talked for a little while. None of them showed surprise, raised his voice, or even whistled. But it was clear that Dr. Livesey had passed on my request. The next thing I heard was the captain giving Job Anderson an order, and a whistle summoned all hands 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.”

“My lads,” said Captain Smollett, “I have something to tell you. The land we’ve sighted is where we’ve been sailing. As we all know, Mr. Trelawney is a very generous gentleman. He just asked me a few questions about the crew. I told him that every man on board had done his duty, both below and on deck. I couldn’t ask for better work. So he, the doctor, and I are going down to the cabin to drink to your health and luck. You’ll be served grog to drink to our health and luck. I think that’s generous. And if you agree, give a good sea-cheer for the gentleman who’s providing 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.

The cheer followed, as expected. But it was so loud and hearty that I could hardly believe these same men were plotting to kill us.

“One more cheer for Cap’n Smollett,” cried Long John when the first had subsided.

“One more cheer for Captain Smollett,” Long John shouted when the first cheer died down.

And this also was given with a will.

And this, too, was given enthusiastically.

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.

After that, the three gentlemen went below deck. Not long afterward, 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.

I found all three of them sitting around the table, with a bottle of Spanish wine and some raisins in front of them. The doctor was smoking, with his wig on his lap. I knew that was a sign he was agitated. The stern window was open because it was a warm night. Through it, you could see the moon shining on the ship’s wake behind us.

“Now, Hawkins,” said the squire, “you have something to say. Speak up.”

“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.

I did as I was told and gave them all the details of Silver’s conversation as briefly as I could. Nobody interrupted me until I had finished. None of the three made the slightest movement, but they kept their eyes on my face the whole time.

“Jim,” said Dr. Livesey, “take a seat.”

“Jim,” said Dr. Livesey, “sit down.”

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.

They made me sit at the table beside them, poured me a glass of wine, and filled my hands with raisins. Then all three, one after another, bowed and toasted my health. They offered me their service in honor of 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.”

“Now, captain,” said the squire, “you were right, and I was wrong. I admit I’ve been a fool. I’m ready for 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.”

“No more a fool than I am, sir,” replied the captain. “I’ve never heard of a crew planning a mutiny without showing signs beforehand. Anyone with eyes could see the trouble and take steps accordingly. But this crew,” he added, “has me baffled.”

“Captain,” said the doctor, “with your permission, that’s Silver. A very remarkable man.”

“Captain,” the doctor said, “if I may say so, that’s Silver. He’s 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.”

“He’d look very good hanging from a yardarm, sir,” replied the captain. “But we’re just talking, and that won’t get us anywhere. I see three or four points, and with Mr. Trelawney’s permission, I’ll mention them.”

“You, sir, are the captain. It is for you to speak,” says Mr. Trelawney grandly.

“You’re the captain, sir. You should 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?”

“First point,” began Mr. Smollett. “We must go on because we can’t turn back. If I ordered the ship to turn around, they would rise against us at once. Second point, we have time, at least until the treasure is found. Third point, we have men we can trust. Now, sir, sooner or later, we’ll have to fight them. I propose we seize the opportunity, as the saying goes, and fight them one fine day when they least expect it. I assume we can count on your own household servants, Mr. Trelawney?”

“As upon myself,” declared the squire.

“As on myself,” the squire said.

“Three,” reckoned the captain; “ourselves make seven, counting Hawkins here. Now, about the honest hands?”

“Three,” counted the captain. “That makes seven of us, counting Hawkins here. Now, what about the honest crewmen?”

“Most likely Trelawney’s own men,” said the doctor; “those he had picked up for himself before he lit on Silver.”

“Most likely Trelawney’s own men,” said the doctor, “the ones he recruited himself before he met Silver.”

“Nay,” replied the squire. “Hands was one of mine.”

“No,” said the squire. “Hands was one of mine.”

“I did think I could have trusted Hands,” added the captain.

“I really thought I could trust Hands,” the captain added.

“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.”

“And to think they’re all Englishmen!” exclaimed the squire. “Sir, I’m tempted to blow up the ship.”

“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.”

“Well, gentlemen,” said the captain, “I can’t say much good. We must hold our position, if you please, and keep a sharp lookout. I know waiting is hard on a man. It would be more satisfying to fight. But we have no choice until we know our men. Hold our position 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.”

“Jim here,” said the doctor, “can help us more than anyone. The men speak freely around him, and Jim is an observant lad.”

“Hawkins, I put prodigious faith in you,” added the squire.

“Hawkins, I have great 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.

I began to feel quite desperate because I felt completely helpless. Yet, through a strange series of events, I was the one who brought us to safety. In the meantime, no matter what we said, we knew we could rely on only seven of the twenty-six. One of those seven was a boy, so we had six grown men on our side against their nineteen.