The History: The Treasure Island-Chapter 5

Treasure Island

CHAPTER

5

The Map

Por: Shamir Galvá

I

  told Mr. Dance about the package that I had taken from the captain’s chest, and that it was the same package that the blind man had been after. We agreed to ride to Dr. Livesey’s to ask his advice. When we arrived, his maid told us that he was dining at the home of his friend, Squire Trelawney. We followed him there. We were shown into the dining room where they sat eating. Mr. Dance told them his report. The doctor asked to see the package, which once belonged to Captain Flint. “Have you heard of this Flint?” asked the doctor.

“Heard of him!” said the squire. “He was the most bloodthirsty pirate who ever sailed!”

“Supposing that I had some clue as to where Flint buried his treasure. Will that treasure amount to much?” asked the doctor.

“Amount, sir!” cried the squire. “It will amount to this: If that package gives us a clue as to where the treasure is, I will fit out a ship at Bristol. I’ll take you as the ship’s doctor and Jim Hawkins as cabin boy. I’ll have that treasure if I must search for a year!”

The doctor opened the package and found a book and a map inside. The book was marked with crosses and numbers. The crosses stood for the names of the ships that had sunk. The numbers told of the captain’s own share of the treasures that were stolen from the ships. The map showed an island marked with latitude and longitude. It was so clearly drawn that nothing more would be needed to bring a ship safely into harbor. The plan was set. We would find Flint’s treasure.

I spent several weeks at the squire’s house with Redruth, the gamekeeper. I would sit by the fire and spend hours looking over the map, dreaming of strange islands and adventures. Sometimes the island was full of savages with whom we fought. Sometimes it was filled with dangerous animals that hunted us.

The squire’s letter finally arrived. He said that he had found a ship, the Hispaniola, and a sea cook named Long John Silver, who had lost a leg. With Silver’s help, the squire had also hired a crew. The letter ended by telling me that I might spend a last night with my mother before Redruth and I set out for Bristol.

The next morning I went to the Admiral Benbow Inn. My mother was in good health and good spirits. And, thanks to the squire had also found a boy to help my mother while I was away.

The next day Redruth met me outside the Royal George Inn where we took a coach to Bristol. I slept the whole journey. When I opened my eyes, we were in front of a large bustling dock.

We walked along the docks to the inn where Squire Trelawney was staying. He came out to meet us, looking like a sea officer in his blue coat. There we saw a great many ships of all sizes, rigs, and nations. In some, sailors were singing as they worked. In others, there were men hanging on to ropes high above my head. The ropes seemed no thicker to me than a spider’s web.

Though I had lived by the shore all of my life, I seemed never to have been near the sea until then. The smell of tar and salt was something new. I could not have been more delighted. My heart beat faster. Soon I would be on a ship bound for an unknown island—to seek buried treasure!   

From: Treasury of Illustrated Classics Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Adapted by Barbara Green 1996-2004.