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Treasure Island
Chapter 12. Council of War
There was a great rush of feet across the deck.
I could hear people tumbling up from the cabin and the forecastle.
I slipped outside my barrel in an instant and dived behind the fore-sail.
I made a double towards the stern.
I came out upon the open deck in time to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey in the rush for the weather bow.
There all hands were already gathered, a belt of fog had lifted almost at the same time as the moon appeared.
To the south-west, we saw two low hills.
They were about two miles apart, Behind one of them, a third hill rose higher.
Its peak was still hidden in the fog, All three seemed sharp and cone-shaped.
So much I saw, almost in a dream, for I hadn't yet recovered from my horrible fear of a minute or two before.
And then I heard the voice of Captain Smollett giving orders.
The HISPANIOLA was turned 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 the sails were pulled tight, "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 suppose?" asked the captain.
"Yes, sir".
Skeleton Island they call it, according to my shipmate who knew its name.
It was a main place for pirates once, and a hand we had on board knew all their names for it.
That hill to the north they call the Foremast Hill, there are three hills in a row running south, fore, main, and mizzen, sir.
The main one, with the cloud on it, is usually called the Spy-glass.
They kept a lookout there when they were in the anchorage cleaning their ships.
"I have a chart here," says Captain Smollett.
"See if that's the place."
Long John's eyes burned as he took the chart, but the fresh paper told me he was doomed to disappointment.
This wasn't the map we found in Billy Bones's chest.
It was an accurate copy, complete with names, heights, and soundings.
The only things missing were the red crosses and the written notes.
Sharp as his annoyance must have been, Silver had the strength of mind to hide it.
"Yes, sir," said he.
"This is the spot, to be sure, and very prettily drawn out."
"Who might have done that, I wonder?"
"The pirates were too ignorant, I reckon."
"Aye, here it's, 'Capt."
"Kidd's Anchorage', just the name my shipmate called it."
"There's a strong current runs along the south, and then away north up the west coast."
"You were right, sir," Says he.
"To turn your ship and keep the weather side of the island."
"At least, if such was your intention as to enter and careen, and there isn't any 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."
I was surprised at the coolness with which John admitted his knowledge of the island.
And I own I was half-frightened when I saw him drawing nearer to myself.
I didn't know if he knew I had overheard his council from the apple barrel.
By then, I was so horrified by his cruelty, dishonesty, and power.
I could hardly hide a shake when he laid his hand on my arm.
"Ah," says he.
"This here's 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'll, and you'll get up on them hills like a goat yourself."
"Why, it makes me young again."
"I was going to forget my wooden leg, I was."
"It's a pleasant thing to be young and have ten toes, and you may count on 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 talked on the quarter-deck, anxious to tell my story, I didn't dare interrupt.
While I was still thinking to find some probable excuse, Dr. Livesey called me to his side.
He had left his pipe below, Being a slave to tobacco, he meant that I should fetch it.
As soon as I was near enough to speak without being overheard, I broke in.
"Doctor, let me speak." Get the captain and squire down to the cabin, and then make some excuse to send for me.
"I have terrible news."
The doctor's face changed a little, but next moment he was in control 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 joined the other two.
Dr. Livesey had passed on my request.
The next thing I heard was the captain giving an order to Job Anderson.
Then all hands were called on deck.
"My lads," said Captain Smollett.
"I've a word to say to you," said Captain Smollett.
"This land we have sighted is the place we were sailing for."
"Mr. Trelawney, a very generous gentleman, asked me a word or two, and I told him every man on board had done his duty, below and above".
"And I are going below to the cabin."
"We'll drink your health and luck."
"You'll have grog served out to drink our health and luck."
"I'll tell you what I think of this, I think it's generous."
"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 died down.
And this also was given with a will.
On 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 all three seated around the table.
They had a bottle of Spanish wine and some raisins before them.
The doctor was smoking, with his wig on his lap.
I knew that was a sign he was upset.
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 told, 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."
They made me sit down at the table beside them.
They poured me a glass of wine and filled my hands with raisins.
Then all three, one after the other, each with a bow, drank to my good health.
They offered their service to me for my luck and courage.
"Now, captain," said the squire, "you were right, and I was wrong. I own myself a fool, and I await your orders."
"No more a fool than I, sir," replied the captain.
I never heard of a mutinous crew that did not show signs beforehand, any man with eyes to see the danger and take steps would have noticed.
"But this crew,"
He added, "beats me," with a helpless shake of his head.
"Captain," said the doctor, "with your permission, that's Silver. A very remarkable man."
"He'd look remarkably well from a yard-arm, sir," replied the captain.
"But this is talk, this doesn'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's 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'd rise at once."
"Second point, we have time before us, at least until this treasure's found."
"Third, there are faithful hands, it will come to blows, so I propose we act first and fight unexpectedly, and can we count on your servants, Mr. Trelawney"?
"As upon myself," declared the squire.
"Three," counted 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 met Silver."
"No," 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!" burst 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 isn't much."
"We must stop, if you please, and keep a bright lookout."
"It's hard 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."
"Stop, and whistle for a wind, that's my view."
"Jim here," said the doctor, "can help us more than anyone. The men aren't shy with him, and Jim is a noticing lad."
"Hawkins, I put great faith in you," added the squire.
I began to feel desperate, helpless, and yet, by an odd train of circumstances, safety came through me.
We talked as we pleased, but only seven of the twenty-six were people we could rely on.
One of these seven was a boy.
So the grown men on our side were six against their nineteen.
PART THREE, My Shore Adventure, which begins when our boat reaches the island shore.