Our Military Life Blog

Treasure Island – Week 3

Jim is on his way back to the stockade, and the safety of the circle of friends that he has. Captain Smollett, the doctor, the squire and a couple of loyal deckhands. Once inside, they begin to prepare for the attack that they know will come eventually. As they work, Long John Silver comes by with the flag of truce, and asks for their surrender. He wants the treasure map. Captain Smollett refuses and in no uncertain terms, asks for the pirates to surrender and go back to England for trial.

With the meeting over, Silver returns to his men, and the watch begins for those who will try and overtake the stockade. Treasure is a powerful motivator when it comes to buying loyalty. It is not long before the pirates make their move and begin to attack the stockade, and the few men inside.

As night falls, Jim takes off on a little expedition of his own. He is not sure if it will work or not, but he is determined to give it a shot. He hopes that he can strand the Hispaniola, to where the pirates will have to sue for peace. Taking Israel Hands by surprise, Jim Hawkins assumes the captains position upon the ship, and begins to sail her toward a place where it can be stranded. But he catches Hands hiding a small dagger in his clothing, and knows that he is in danger. Will Jim be able to outsmart the older pirate?

This week we are reading Chapters 19-26

Questions:

  1. Why do you think Long John Silver is asking for a truce?
  2. Do you trust the pirates word at all?
  3. What do you think of the plan that Jim comes up with? Should he have told someone about it or left a note?

Rebecca