THE APPLE BARREL

Chapter 4

The barrel shook as Long John Silver leaned against it and began to talk to the men. I knew at once that I couldn’t jump up and tell him I was inside. I lay there, trembling and listening to the voice of Long John Silver.
“Flint was captain,” he began, “and I was quartermaster. I lost my leg in the same fight that poor old Pew lost his eyes. I’ve seen Flint’s ship red with blood and fit to sink with gold!”
I couldnt believe what I heard. That man with one leg was the man I was to look for at my mother’s inn. The old captain had been afraid of that man. I curled up in the barrel, angry at myself for not knowing who he was. Now, he was a dangerous man, a pirate, talking mutiny!
“Shiver my timbers,” yelled Long John, “I don’t plan to end up like Flint, Pew or old captain Billy Bones. Brave, to be sure, but dead now!”
I had seen the name Billy Bones tattooed on the captain’s chest. My heart beat so hard and I shook so badly; I was frightened they’d hear me.
“Israel,” said Silver, “just speak soft and listen and do as you’re told. We don’t know where Captain Smollett and the doctor keep that map, now do we? So we’ll just wait and go along nice and friendly. I’d let the captain navigate us halfway back before I struck, but the truth is, I can’t trust you sea loving pirates. I know the sort you are and I’m keeping my own eye on you I am, you can bet.”
“Easy all, Long John,” cried Israel. “Who’s crossing you?”
“How do I know?” said Silver, “If I knew I’d not be worried.”
When he knew he had the men worried, he stopped talking and reached half-way into the barrel for an apple. Then he seemed to change his mind.
“Let’s have some rum,” he said, “for luck.”
One of the men went to get the rum and the men began to move away in smaller groups and talk quietly together.
A sort of brightness fell upon me in the barrel, and looking up, I found the moon had risen. Before I could decide how to get out of the barrel someone called, “Land ho!”
There was a great rush of feet across the deck.
I jumped out of the barrel and ran for the open deck. I heard Captain Smollett issuing orders.
“Now, men,” said the captain, “have any of you men seen that island before?”
I have, sir, said Silver, “I’ve watered there with a trader I was cook in. It’s called, Skeleton Island. It was a main place for pirates once, and that big hill is called the Spyglass.”
“I have a chart here,” said Captain Smollett, “See if that’s the place.”
Long John’s eyes burned in his head as he took the chart. It was a fresh piece of paper so I knew it was not the map Silver wanted. He did not show his disappointment, but instead, looked closely at the chart. It was a copy of the one we had found in Billy Bones’ chest, except there were no red marks or written notes.
“There is no better place to put a ship,” said Silver, “not in these waters.”
“Thank you, my man,” said Captain Smollett, “I’ll ask you, later on, to give us some help.”
Even though I knew he didn’t know I had been in the apple barrel, I was still frightened when he began to walk towards me. He laid his hand upon my arm and began at once to talk to me.
“Ah,” said he, here is a sweet spot, this island, a happy place for a lad like you. You’ll bathe, climb trees, hunt goats and climb up the hills like a goat yourself. It makes me feel young again to think of it. I almost forgot my timber leg, I did. It’s a pleasant thing to be young, and have ten toes. When you want to do 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 and went below.
Captain Sinollett, the squire and Dr. Livesey were talking together on the quarter-deck and I didn’t get a chance to tell them what I had heard. I waited until they seemed to be all talked out, then I broke in quickly.
“Doctor, let me speak. Get the captain and squire down to the cabin, and then make some excuse for sending for me. I have terrible news.”
“My lads,” said Captain Smollett, “let’s have a drink of rum to toast our health and luck.”
The cheer which followed made it hard for me to believe some of those men were plotting to kill us when they got the chance. As the drinks were passed around, and the men began to talk and sing together, word was sent that Jim Hawkins was wanted in the cabin.
I found all three seated around the table, smoking away, with a pile of raisins before them.

“Now, Hawkins,” said the squire, “you have something to say. Speak up.”
I did as I was told and as briefly as I could told them what I had heard in the apple barrel.
They treated me just like a man and shook my hand and bid me sit down and have some raisins.
“Well, gentlemen,” said the captain, “the best I can say is not much. Who would think we couldn’t trust these men? It’s trying on a man I know. It would be better if we came to blows at once. But we must know our men. Keep your eyes open.”
We nodded agreement.
“Jim here,” said the doctor, “can help us more than any one. The men are not shy with him and he can keep his eyes open wide for one sign of trouble.”
I began to feel very helpless, and yet it was by a queer turn of fate that I did help to save us.
Life on the Hispaniola became more exciting as we rolled up and down in the ocean swell. I had to hang on as I looked out at the island so near.
It was like being rolled about like a bottle and my stomach did not feel well at all.
Perhaps it was the look of the island, with its grey, melancholy woods, and wild stones, and the surf that we could both see and hear foaming and thundering on the steep beach. At least the sun shone bright and hot, and the shore birds were fishing and crying around us. You would think I would have been glad to get to land after being at sea for so long, but my heart sank, for I hated the very thought of Treasure Island.
We had a dreary morning’s work before us, for there was no sign of wind, and the boats had to be manned. We had to get the Hispaniola three or four miles round the island, and up the narrow passage to the haven behind Skeleton Island. I volunteered for one boat, which wasn’t any of my business, for it was a man’s work, to be sure.
We found the bottom near the island to be clean sand, and the trees grew right down to the water’s edge. Our anchor sent up clouds of birds, but in less than a minute they were down again.
Two swamps emptied out into a pond, and the grass and flowers which grew there were very bright. We hadn’t been able to see the stockade from the ship, for it was buried among trees.
There was not a breath of air moving, nor a sound but that of the surf booming half a mile away. A smell of sodden leaves and rotting tree trunks hung over the island. I watched the doctor, sniffing and sniffing, like some one tasting a bad egg.
“I don’t know about treasure,” he said, “but I’ll bet there’s fever here.”
The captain decided to let the men go ashore in the afternoon. They all grumbled about the work to be done and fought between themselves.
“If they all go,” said the captain, “we’ll fight the ship. If they don’t all go, well, then, we hold the cabin and hope for the best. If some go, mark my word, Silver will bring them back as mild as new lambs.
Loaded pistols were handed out to all the sure men: Hunter, Joyce and Redruth were told the news, and were less surprised than we expected.
“My lads,” said the captain, “we’ve had a hot day, and are all tired and out of sorts. A turn ashore won’t hurt anyone. The boats are still in the water. Go ashore for the afternoon. I’ll fire a gun half an hour before sundown.
I believe the silly fellows must have thought they would break their shins over treasure as soon as they landed, for they all became cheerful at once, and began a cheer, which echoed in a far away hill, and sent the birds once more flying.
The captain got out of sight at once, leaving Silver to arrange the trip to shore. It was as plain as day. Silver was the captain and he had a mighty rebellious crew. At last they were ready. Six fellows were to stay on board, and the remaining thirteen, including Silver, began to row away. They were in a big hurry to reach the island.
About this time, the first of my mad notions came into my head. I decided that I was not needed on board the ship at all. I slipped over the side, and curled up in the nearest boat, just as they shoved off. It was good that I did, for it helped to save our lives. I sat quietly and no one saw me, except, the bow oar, who called, “Is that you, Jim? Keep your head down.” Silver, on the other end, heard him and called out to know if I was there. I began to regret what I had done.
The crews raced for the beach. The bow of our boat struck among the shoreside trees and I caught a branch and swung myself out, and ran into the nearest thicket, while Silver and the rest were still way behind. I ran as fast as I could.
Silver shouted my name but I did not stop.

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