“No, not me,” Silver said. “Flint was the captain. I was the quartermaster because I had this wooden leg. The same battle that cost me my leg took Pew’s eyes.”
“The surgeon who cut off my leg was a brilliant man. He had studied at college and knew more Latin than you could shake a stick at. But later, he was hanged like a dog and left to dry in the sun at Corso Castle.”
“That was Roberts’ crew. They were always changing the names of their ships—calling them things like Royal Fortune and such. But I say a ship should keep the name it was given.”
“That was how it was with the Cassandra, the ship that brought us safely home from Malabar after we captured the Viceroy of India. And it was the same with the old Walrus, Flint’s own ship. I saw that ship covered in red blood and nearly sinking under the weight of gold.”
“Ah!” another voice cried. It was the youngest sailor aboard, and he sounded full of admiration. “Flint was the greatest of them all!”
“Davis was a great man too, from what I’ve heard,” Silver said. “I never sailed with him. My story was first with England, then with Flint, and now I’m making my own way.”
“I saved nine hundred pounds during my time with England, and another two thousand after sailing with Flint. That’s not bad for a common sailor.”
“Remember this, lad: earning money isn’t everything. Saving it is what matters.”
“Where are all England’s old pirates now? I don’t know.”
“And where are Flint’s men? Most of them are right here on this ship, happy just to get a piece of food. Some were begging before they joined us.”
“Old Pew lost his eyesight, but he once spent twelve hundred pounds in a year like a rich gentleman. Where is he now? Dead and buried.”
“But for two years before he died, that man was starving. He begged, stole, and even murdered, yet he still ended up with nothing.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like much of a life,” the young sailor said.
“It isn’t much of a life for fools,” Silver replied. “But listen to me. You’re young, but you’re clever. I saw that the moment I looked at you. So I’ll talk to you like a man.”
I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
The old villain was using the very same flattering words on this sailor that he had once used on me.
If I had been able to move, I would have attacked him right through the barrel.
But I was helpless, and Silver continued, not knowing that I was listening.
“Now, about these ‘gentlemen of fortune’—that’s what we call ourselves. They live hard lives and risk being hanged, but they eat and drink like kings. After a successful voyage, they come home with hundreds of pounds instead of a few coins.”
“Most pirates waste it all on rum and pleasure, then go back to sea with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”
“But that’s not my way. I save my money. A little here, a little there, never too much in one place because people get suspicious.”
“I’m fifty years old now. After this voyage, I’ll finally live like a true gentleman.”
“It’s the right time. And don’t think I’ve suffered along the way. I’ve enjoyed myself. I’ve eaten well, slept comfortably, and never denied myself anything when I was on land.”
“And how did I start? Before the mast, just like you.”
“But all your money is gone now, isn’t it?” the young sailor asked. “You won’t be able to show your face in Bristol after this.”
“Where do you think my money is?” Silver asked with a mocking smile.
“In Bristol banks, I suppose,” the sailor answered.
“It was there when we left port,” Silver said. “But by now my old wife has moved it all.”
“The Spy-glass tavern is sold too—the building, the lease, everything. My old woman has gone away to meet me.”
“I’d tell you where she is because I trust you, but the other officers would become jealous.”
“Can you really trust your wife?” the sailor asked.
“Pirates don’t usually trust each other much, and they have good reason not to,” Silver said. “But I have my own ways.”
“When a man betrays me, and I know him well, he won’t have to worry about me anymore because he won’t be in this world.”
“Some men feared Pew. Some feared Flint. But even Flint himself feared me.”
“He feared me, and he respected me.”
“Flint’s crew was the roughest bunch ever to sail the seas. Even the devil himself would have thought twice before joining them.”
“And believe me, I’m not bragging. You’ve seen how calmly I act around everyone. But when I was quartermaster of Flint’s ship, those pirates were no gentle lambs.”
“So you can trust yourself on old John Silver’s ship.”
“Well, I’ll tell you something,” the young sailor said. “I didn’t like this job much before, John. But after talking with you, I’ve changed my mind.”
“You have my hand on it.”
“You’re a brave lad and a clever one,” Silver said, shaking his hand so hard that the whole barrel shook. “I’ve never seen a finer man to join the gentlemen of fortune.”
By now, I finally understood what their words meant.
Their “gentlemen of fortune” were nothing more than pirates.
And the conversation I had overheard was the final step in turning one more honest sailor into a pirate.
Perhaps he was the last honest man left aboard.
But I soon learned that wasn’t true.
Silver gave a small whistle, and another man walked over and sat down with them.
“Dick is trustworthy,” Silver said.
“I always knew Dick was trustworthy,” another voice replied. It was Israel Hands, the ship’s coxswain. “He’s no fool.”
He shifted the tobacco in his mouth and spat.
“But listen, Barbecue,” Hands continued. “How long are we going to keep sailing around like some little trading boat? I’ve had enough of Captain Smollett.”
“He’s been ordering me around long enough.”
“I want to get into that cabin. I want their pickles and wine.”
“Israel,” Silver said, “your head has never been worth much.”
“But your ears work, I suppose. They’re big enough, anyway.”
“Listen carefully. You’ll stay forward on the ship. You’ll live simply, speak quietly, and stay sober until I give the order.”
“Then you’ll get what you want.”
“I’m not saying no,” Hands grumbled. “I’m only asking when.”
“When?” Silver shouted. “I’ll tell you when.”
“At the last possible moment.”
“Think about it. Captain Smollett is an excellent sailor. He can guide this ship for us.”
“The squire and the doctor have the map. I don’t know where the treasure is, do I? And neither do you.”
“So let them find the treasure and help us bring it aboard.”
“Then we’ll act.”
“If I knew I could trust all of you, I’d let Captain Smollett sail us halfway home before I took control.”
“We’re all sailors here,” young Dick said.
“No,” Silver snapped. “You’re all deckhands.”
“We can follow a course, but who knows how to choose one?”
“That’s where all you fellows fail.”
“If I had my way, I’d let Captain Smollett take us back into the trade winds. Then we wouldn’t run out of water or make foolish mistakes.”
“But I know your kind.”
“I’ll deal with them on the island as soon as the treasure is aboard.”
“Too bad, really. You’re never satisfied unless you’re drunk.”
“I’m sick at heart sailing with men like you.”
“Easy, Long John,” Israel said. “Who’s arguing with you?”
“How many fine ships have I seen ruined because men couldn’t wait?” Silver shouted.
“How many good sailors have I seen hanging at Execution Dock because they wanted everything too quickly?”
“I’ve seen plenty at sea.”
“If you could only keep your course and think ahead, you’d ride home in a carriage.”
“But you won’t.”
“You’ll be drinking rum tomorrow, and then you’ll be dead.”
“Everyone knew you were a serious fellow, John,” Israel said. “But other men can sail just as well as you.”
“They knew how to have fun. They weren’t always so strict.”
“So?” Silver asked. “Where are they now?”
“Pew was like that. He died a beggar.”
“Flint was like that. He died from drinking rum in Savannah.”
“Yes, they were a fine crew.”
“But where are they now?”
“But when we take over the ship,” Dick asked, “what are we going to do with the others?”
“That’s the kind of question I like,” Silver said happily. “That’s thinking like a businessman.”
“What do you think? Leave them on the island like abandoned prisoners? That would be the English way.”
“Or kill them all? That would be Flint’s way, or Billy Bones’ way.”
“Billy was the man for that,” Israel said. “‘Dead men don’t bite,’ he always said.”
“Well, he’s dead himself now. He knows the truth.”
“And if there was ever a rough sailor, it was Billy.”
“Exactly,” Silver said. “He was rough and ready.”
“But remember, I’m an easy-going man. A gentleman, you might say.”
“But this is serious.”
“Duty is duty, mates.”
“My vote is for death.”
“When I’m sitting in Parliament and riding around in my carriage, I don’t want these sailors coming back to bother me.”
“Wait for now, that’s what I say.”
“But when the time comes, let them have it.”
“John,” Israel cried, “you’re a real man!”
“You’ll believe that when you see it,” Silver replied.
“There’s only one thing I want.”
“I want Trelawney.”
“I’ll tear that man’s head off with my own hands!”
Then he suddenly stopped.
“Dick, my boy, jump up and get me an apple. I need it to moisten my pipe.”
You can imagine the terror I felt.
I wanted to jump out of the barrel and run away, but my arms and legs had lost their strength.
I heard Dick begin to move.
Then someone stopped him.
“Forget that,” Israel said. “Don’t start flattering yourself, John. Let’s have some rum instead.”
“Dick,” Silver said, “I trust you. Remember, I’m keeping track of the barrel.”
“Here’s the key. Fill a cup and bring it back.”
Even in my fear, I suddenly realized something.
This must have been how Mr. Arrow had gotten the strong drink that destroyed him.
Dick was gone only a short time.
While he was away, Israel whispered something close to Silver’s ear.
I could only catch a few words.
But one sentence was clear:
“Not another man of them’ll join.”
That meant there were still loyal sailors aboard.
Not everyone had joined Silver’s rebellion.
When Dick returned, each of the three men took a drink.
One said:
“To luck.”
Another said:
“To old Flint.”
Then Silver himself sang:
“Here’s to ourselves, keep your course steady, and may we find plenty of prizes and plenty of food.”
At that moment, moonlight suddenly entered the barrel.
I looked upward and saw the moon shining on the ship’s mast and turning the sails bright white.
Almost at the same time, the lookout shouted:
“Land ho!”