4. The Sea-chest
I told my mother all that I knew. “We’ll open that chest,” said she. “I want to have my money.” On the floor close to the captain’s hand there was a little piece of paper. This was the black spot—a small round black piece of paper; and there was a short message: “You have till ten tonight [14].”
The news was good, for it was only six.
“Now, Jim,” she said, “that key.”
I felt in his pockets. Small coins, a thimble, and some thread and big needles, a pocket compass. I began to despair.
“Perhaps it’s round his neck,” suggested my mother.
Yes, it was there.
“Give me the key,” said my mother; and then she opened the chest.
We saw a quadrant, two pistols, a piece of silver, an old Spanish watch, a pair of compasses. There were many coins, too.
“I’m an honest woman,” said my mother. “I’ll have my money, and not a farthing [15] over.” And she began to count. It was a long, difficult business, for the coins were of all countries and sizes.
I suddenly heard in the silent air a sound – the noise of the blind man’s stick upon the road. It came nearer and nearer. Then it struck on the inn door.
“Mother,” said I, “take the whole and let’s go away.”
“I’ll take what I have,” she said, jumping to her feet.
“And I’ll take his papers,” I said.
Next moment we were running downstairs; and the next we opened the door. The moon shone clear on. “My dear,” said my mother suddenly, “take the money and run on.”
This was certainly the end for both of us, I thought. We were near the little bridge. We went down the bridge, where my mother fell on my shoulder.
5. The Last of the Blind Man
My curiosity was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was. I saw three men, they were running together. In the middle of this trio was the blind beggar.
“Down with the door! [16]” he cried. “In, in, in! [17]”
They came in. There was a pause, then a cry of surprise, and then a voice shouting from the house, “Bill’s dead.”
But the blind man cursed them again for their delay.
“Search him,” he cried.
Promptly afterwards, fresh sounds of astonishment arose.
“Pew [18],” cried somebody, “someone has been before us. Someone has opened the chest!”
“It’s these people of the inn – it’s that boy!” cried the blind man, Pew. “Find them!”
Suddenly the pirates heard a whistle. Almost at the same time a pistol-shot came from the hedge side. That was the signal of danger, for the men turned at once and ran, separating in every direction. The blind one cried, “Johnny, Black Dog, Dirk, you won’t leave old Pew!”
Just then four or five riders came in sight. Pew ran straight under the nearest of the horses. The rider tried to save him but couldn’t. The blind man was dead.
The riders were officers.
“They got the money?” asked one of them.
“No, sir; not money, I think,” replied I. “In fact, sir, I have the thing in my breast pocket.”
“I’ll take it, if you like,” said he.
“I thought perhaps Dr. Livesey —” I began.
“Perfectly right,” he interrupted, “perfectly right – a gentleman and a magistrate.”
I thanked him heartily for the help.
6. The Captain’s Papers
We rode hard till we drew up before Dr. Livesey’s door. He was sitting with Squire Trelawney [19].
“Good evening, friend Jim,” said the doctor with a nod. “What good wind brings you here? [20]”
We told them everything.
“And so, Jim,” said the doctor, “you have the thing that they were looking for, have you?”
“Here it is, sir,” said I, and gave him the packet.
The doctor put it quietly in the pocket of his coat.
A big pigeon pie was brought in and put on a sidetable. I was as hungry as a hawk.
“And now, squire,” said the doctor. “You have heard of this Flint, I suppose?”
“Heard of him!” cried the squire. “Heard of him, you say! He was the most dangerous pirate of all!”
“Well, I’ve heard of him myself, in England,” said the doctor. “But the point is, had he money?”
“Money!” cried the squire. “What do these villains care for but money? [21]”
“Now, then, if Jim is agreeable,” replied the doctor, “we’ll open the packet”, and he laid it before him on the table.
It contained two things – a book and a sealed paper. The paper has been sealed in several places. The doctor opened the seals with great care, and there fell out the map of an island, with latitude and longitude, names of hills and bays. It was about nine miles long and five across, and had two harbours, and a hill in the centre part marked ‘ The Spy-glass [22]’. There were three crosses of red ink – two on the north part of the island, one in the southwest—and beside this last these words: “Bulk of treasure here [23]”.
Over on the back the same hand had written this further information:
“Tall tree, Spy-glass shoulder, bearing a point to the N. of N.N.E.
Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E [24].
Ten feet.
That was all; and to me incomprehensible, but it filled the squire and Dr. Livesey with delight.
“Livesey,” said the squire, “you will give up your practice at once. Tomorrow I start for Bristol. In three weeks’ time we’ll have the best ship, sir, and the best crew in England. Hawkins [25] will come as cabin-boy [26]. You, Livesey, are ship’s doctor; I am admiral.”
“Trelawney,” said the doctor, “I’ll go with you; so will Jim. There’s only one man I’m afraid of.”
“And who’s that?” cried the squire.
“You!” replied the doctor. “For you cannot hold your tongue. We are not the only men who know of this paper.”
“Livesey,” said the squire, “I’ll be as silent as the grave.”
Part Two
The Sea-cook [27]
7. I Go to Bristol
So the weeks passed on, till one fine day there came a letter addressed to Dr. Livesey, with the addition “To be opened, in the case of his absence, by Tom Redruth or young Hawkins”. I found the following important news:
Dear Livesey,
The ship is bought and fitted, and ready for sea. The name, Hispaniola [28]. I got it through my old friend, Blandly [29]. Everyone here in Bristol helped us when they heard where we wanted to go – for treasure, I mean.
“Redruth,” said I, “Dr. Livesey will not like that. The squire was talking, after all.”
I read straight on:
Blandly himself found the Hispaniola. But some people say that the Hispaniola belonged to him, and that he sold it me absurdly high.
I found an old sailor, he knew all the seamen in Bristol, and wanted to get to sea again. His name is Long John Silver [30], and he has lost a leg. With the help of Silver I gathered a company of real sea dogs.
So now, Livesey, there’s no time to lose. Let young Hawkins go at once to see his mother and then come quickly to Bristol.
PS: Blandly has found us an excellent man to be captain. His name is Smollett [31].
24
Tall tree, Spy-glass shoulder, bearing a point to the N. of N.N.E. Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E. – Высокое дерево на плече Подзорной Трубы, направление к С. от С.-С.-В. Остров Скелета В.Ю.-В. и на В.