Остров сокровищ / Treasure Island. Роберт Льюис Стивенсон

I Heard in the Apple Barrel

      “No, not I,” said Silver. “Flint was a captain; I was a quartermaster [45]. I’m fifty. Gentlemen of fortune [46] usually trust little among themselves, and right they are. Now, here’s what I say: Captain Smollett is a first-class seaman; he sails the ship for us. Mr. Trelawney and the doctor have the map. I don’t know where it is. No more do you. Well then, I mean this squire and doctor will find the treasure, and help us to get it aboard. I’ll finish with them at the island.”

      “What will you do with them?” asked a sailor.

      “Dead men don’t bite. I’m an easy man – I’m quite the gentleman. I give my vote – death.”

      “John,” cried the coxswain, “you’re a man!” And they went away.

      You can imagine my horror! Almost at the same time the voice of the lookout shouted, “Land!”

      12. Council of War [47]

      I quickly got out of the barrel to join Hunter and Dr. Livesey. And then I heard the voice of Captain Smollett issuing orders.

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

      “I have, sir,” said Silver. “They call it Skeleton Island [48]. That hill to the northward they call the Fore-mast [49] Hill; there are three hills in a row running southward. But the main – with the cloud on it – they usually call the Spy-glass. It’s there they cleaned their ships, sir.”

      “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 he was disappointed. This was not the map we found in Billy Bones’s chest, but an accurate copy, complete in all things – names and heights – with the single exception of the red crosses and the written notes.

      “Yes, sir,” said he, “this is the spot. Who has done that, I wonder? The pirates were too ignorant.”

      “Ah,” said Silver to me, “this here is a sweet spot, this island – you’ll bathe, and you’ll climb trees, and you’ll hunt goats. It’s a pleasant thing to be young and have ten toes.”

      Captain Smollett, the squire, and Dr. Livesey were talking together on the quarter-deck [50]. I was very anxious to tell them my story. Dr. Livesey called me. I said immediately, “Doctor, I have terrible news.”

      The three gentlemen went below. I found them all three seated round the table, a bottle of Spanish wine and some raisins before them.

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

      I began. Nobody interrupted me, but they kept their eyes upon my face.

      “First point,” began Mr. Smollett. “We must go on, because we can’t turn back.”

      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.

      Part Three

      My Shore Adventure [51]

      13. How My Shore Adventure Began

      There was no sign of any wind. Everybody was glad to get to land. The bottom was clean sand. We held a council in the cabin.

      “Sir,” said the captain, “We’ve only one man to rely on.”

      “And who is that?” asked the squire.

      “Silver, sir,” returned the captain. “Let’s allow them to go ashore. If they all go, we’ll get the ship.”

      I believe the silly sailors thought they would find the treasure as soon as they were landed. Silver was the captain. Six fellows were to stay on board, and the remaining thirteen, including Silver, began to embark. And at that moment it occurred to me to go ashore with the others. It was an idea that helped to save our lives.

      When our boat reached the shore, I jumped out and ran away, while Silver and the rest were still a hundred yards behind.

      “Jim, Jim!”

      But I paid no attention, I ran straight till I could run no longer.

      14. The First Blow [52]

      I now felt for the first time the joy of exploration. Here and there were flowering plants, unknown to me; here and there I saw snakes.

      Soon I heard human voices, which grew louder and nearer. This put me in a great fear, and I crawled under cover of the nearest oak, as silent as a mouse.

      Long John Silver and another of the crew stood face to face in conversation. Silver threw his hat beside him on the ground, and his great face was lifted to the other man’s.

      “Tom,” he was saying, “I’m warning you that the men will kill you if you don’t help us.”

      I realized that I found an honest man in Tom!

      “John!” said the sailor, “Kill me, if you can. I’m not afraid.”

      And with that, this brave fellow turned his back directly on the cook. But did not go far. With a cry John took his heavy crutch from under his arm and threw it at Tom. It struck poor Tom right between the shoulders, in the middle of his back, and he fell to the ground.