Chapter: COUNCIL OF WAR


There was a great rush of feet across the deck. I could hear people
tumbling up from the cabin and the foc's'le; and slipping in an instant
outside my barrel, I dived behind the foresail, made a double towards
the stern, and came out upon the open deck in time to join Hunter and
Doctor Livesey in the rush for 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
southwest 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.

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.

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

"I have, sir," said Silver. "I've watered there with a trader I was cook
in."

"The anchorage is on the south, behind an islet, I fancy?" 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."

"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, 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.

"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. Ay, here it is: 'Captain 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,"
said 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."

"Thank you, my man," said Captain Smollett. "I'll ask you, later on, to
give us a help. 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.

"Ah," said 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 Doctor 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, Doctor 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 be overheard, I broke out immediately: "Doctor, let me speak.
Get the captain and squire down to the cabin, and then make some
pretense 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 Doctor
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 to. 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 around 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 anyone 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 Doctor Livesey, "take a seat."

And they made me sit down at a 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 yardarm, 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," said Mr. Trelawney,
grandly.

"First point," began Mr. Smollett, "we must go on because we can't turn
back. If I gave the word to turn 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 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 III

MY SHORE ADVENTURE

 The call of land was the call of relief for Jim. He sneaks out of the barrel and jumps up on the open deck to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey on the bow. They look around, Jim is unable to believe his eyes considering the state he was in moments ago. They are approaching an island and when Captain Smollet asks the crew if anybody had been here before, Silver answers positively. He tells them that the island is called Skeleton Island which was the main place for pirates. The hill to the north, Silver says, is called Foremast hill and the ones running south are fore, main and mizzen. The main one is called Spyglass. When Captain Smollet hands the map to Silver for his confirmation, he nods his agreement though he is thoroughly disappointed to find only a copy of the original map without any markings. Jim is amazed at Silvers cool headedness, when he reveals his knowledge. Jim almost shudders when he places his hand on Jim and tells him about the good times that awaited him on shore. Jim, without wasting anytime, sneaks next to Dr. Livesey and asks him to call a meeting with the Captain and the Squire. He makes him aware of the seriousness of the situation. Dr. Livesey acts quickly and all four assemble in the cabin. Jim narrates the details he had overheard. All three listen to him with acute concentration. Impressed by Jims information, Dr. Livesey offers him a seat with them and treats him as an equal. The Squire is open and accepts his mistake in front of the Captain for his wrong judgment. The Captain is equally surprised at the conduct of the crew, as he didnt suspect anyone. The Captain takes charge of the situation and tells them that they should go on with the mission as they have time and a few faithful men with them. Dr. Livesey acknowledges Jims efforts and entrusts him with more responsibilities. Jim feels pressured and helpless at this but nevertheless realizes the important task he has on hand.

