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ABOUT THIS STORY
Robert Louis Stevenson’s immortal tale of pirates and mutiny is brought to life like never before. In this condensed, modern retelling from The Great Adventure Stories, we journey with young Jim Hawkins from a quiet English inn to a remote tropical island where deadly pirates, led by the unforgettable Long John Silver, will stop at nothing to claim the legendary Captain Flint’s buried gold.
Our story captures the heart of the adventure, preserving the suspense of the voyage, the terror of the mutiny, and the thrill of the ultimate treasure hunt. When a mysterious sea chest and its secret map fall into his hands, Jim Hawkins is thrust into a world of swashbuckling buccaneers and treacherous plots, where every shadow could hide a friend or a fatal foe. Join us for a perilous expedition where fortune and survival hang by a thread.
ABOUT THE GREAT ADVENTURE STORIES
Welcome to The Great Adventure Stories! We reimagine timeless classics for the modern listener, transforming epic novels into breathtaking 80-Minute adventures. If you love thrilling journeys, forgotten lands, and heroic tales but don’t have 10+ hours to spare, you’re in the right place. Subscribe for a new adventure every week!
▬ CHAPTERS ▬
0:00 – Opening
00:00:31 – Chapter 1: The Devil Walks In
00:08:17 – Chapter 2: The Sea Chest
00:13:48 – Chapter 3: The Map
00:20:16 – Chapter 4: The Hispaniola
00:27:21 – Chapter 5: The Apple Barrel
00:35:18 – Chapter 6: The Stockade
00:45:02 – Chapter 7: The Battle
00:52:00 – Chapter 8: The Sea Chase
01:00:35 – Chapter 9: The Final Hunt
01:11:02 – Chapter 10: Homeward Bound
01:19:27 – Closing
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Treasure Island a Great Adventure Stories production picture this you’re a kid working at your family’s inn on the rugged English coast life is predictable maybe even boring then one stormy night a mysterious stranger shows up at your door scarred dangerous and carrying secrets that will change your life forever that stranger is about to drag you into the greatest treasure hunt in history where pirates betrayal and unimaginable riches await this is Treasure Island and I’m about to take you on a ride you’ll never forget the autumn wind was howling something fierce around the Admiral Benbow Inn that October evening when my whole world turned upside down I’m Jim Hawkins and I was just 17 when this story began old enough to work young enough to dream of something bigger than scrubbing floors and serving ale to travelers I was helping my mother stock the bar when I heard it the slow deliberate tap tap tap of a wooden leg on cobblestone the sound sent chills down my spine though I couldn’t say why then came the knock not a polite rap but a heavy pounding that made the whole door shake my father already weak from the illness that would soon take him struggled to his feet when he opened that door my blood turned to ice but it was his eyes that really scared me sharp as a hawk’s they swept across our little inn like he was calculating how much everything was worth including us my father’s hands shook as he poured the drink the stranger threw it back in one gulp then slammed the glass down so hard I thought it might break this’ll do he said tossing a handful of gold coins onto the bar name’s Billy Bones I’ll be staying here a while and just like that the devil himself moved into our inn Billy Bones wasn’t just any guest from the moment he settled into the room upstairs our quiet little world became something else entirely he’d sit by the window for hours staring out at the sea through an old brass telescope every time a ship appeared on the horizon his whole body would go rigid with tension boy he’d call to me his voice cutting through the inn like a blade come here you keep watch for me he’d say pressing a silver coin into my palm there’s a seafaring man with one leg I’m expecting when you see him coming you run and tell me fast as you can a seafaring man with one leg the very thought haunted my dreams I’d lie in bed at night listening to the wind and the waves imagining this mysterious figure hobbling up our path in the darkness but Billy Bones had other visitors on his mind too late at night when he thought no one was listening I’d hear him muttering to himself about old shipmates and that damn treasure sometimes he’d burst into song his voice echoing through the inn 15 men on the dead man’s chest Yo ho and a bottle of rum drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo ho and a bottle of rum the song always gave me goosebumps there was something dark about it something that spoke of death and danger on the high seas winter came early that year and with it more strange behavior from our mysterious guest he drink heavily then launch into terrifying stories about his days as a pirate tales of men walking the plank ships burning on the horizon and chests full of Spanish gold buried on remote islands I was Flint’s first mate he’d brag his eyes gleaming in the firelight sailed with him for 20 years and I’m the only man alive who knows where his treasure lies buried my father grew sicker with each passing day and the stress of having Billy bones under our roof wasn’t helping the old pirate paid his bills sure enough but his very presence seemed to suck the life out of our inn customers stopped coming the atmosphere grew heavy with fear and anticipation then came the morning that changed everything I was setting tables in the main room when the door creaked open a pale thin man stepped inside and I knew immediately he wasn’t an ordinary traveler his left hand was missing two fingers and his eyes darted around the room like a cornered rats is this where Captain Billy Bones is staying he asked his voice barely above a whisper before I could answer Billy Bones himself came thundering down the stairs the moment he saw the stranger all the colour drained from his face Black Dog he breathed and I’d never heard such fear in a human voice hello Billy the man called Black Dog said with a twisted smile been a long time hasn’t it Billy Bones roared in response drawing a massive cutlass from beneath his coat Black Dog yelped and ran for the door Billy right behind him swinging his blade the cutlass missed Black Dog by inches instead biting deep into our wooden signpost you can still see the scar it left today I ran to get it but before I could return I heard a crash from the main room Billy Bones had collapsed his massive frame sprawled across the floor like a fallen tree Doctor Lovsey arrived within the hour a smart no nonsense man who’d served in the Navy he examined Billy Bones with the efficiency of someone who’d seen plenty of medical emergencies stroke he announced brought on by drink and stress he’ll live but he needs complete rest no excitement no alcohol and definitely no more visitors like that Black Dog character but Billy Bones had other ideas the moment he regained consciousness he grabbed my arm with surprising strength Jim he whispered urgently that Black Dog he’s just the beginning there’ll be others coming looking for what I’ve got you keep your eyes open boy when they come for me when they bring me the black spot you’ll know it’s time the black spot I asked what’s that it’s a pirate’s death sentence he said his voice barely audible when they give you the black spot it means your time is up the next few days passed in an eerie calm Billy Bones stayed in his room drinking less but growing more paranoid by the hour he’d sit by his window that old telescope in his hands watching the road for signs of trouble then my father died it happened suddenly peacefully in his sleep one moment he was there the next he was gone leaving my mother and me to run the inn alone we were so busy with funeral arrangements and grieving that we barely noticed Billy Bones had grown strangely quiet three days after the funeral as I stood outside the inn thinking about my father I saw a figure approaching through the fog at first glance he looked like just another traveler seeking shelter but as he got closer my blood turned to ice he was blind that much was obvious from the way he tapped his walking stick ahead of him and the green shade covering his eyes but there was something terrifying about the way he moved like a predator who didn’t need sight to hunt will any kind soul direct a poor blind man he called out in a voice that was somehow both sweet and sinister a man who lost his sight in glorious service to king and country against every instinct screaming in my head I stepped forward you’re at the Admiral Benbow Inn sir what can I do for you his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist with inhuman strength up close I could see his face was a roadmap of scars and his blind eyes seemed to stare right through me perfect he whispered now you’re going to take me to Billy Bones and you’re going to do it quickly or I’ll break your arm he twisted my wrist to emphasize his point and pain shot up my arm like lightning I had no choice but to lead him inside Billy Bones was sitting by the fireplace when we entered the moment he heard the blind man’s voice he went rigid with terror what happened next was so fast I barely saw it Pew pressed something into Billy bones palm a small round piece of paper black on one side Billy looked at it and let out a strangled cry I looked over his shoulder and saw what was written on the other side you have until 10 tonight Billy Bones struggled to his feet his face a mask of determination and fear they think they can frighten old Billy Bones he muttered well they’ve got another thing coming I’ll show them he never finished the sentence his eyes rolled back in his head and he crashed to the floor like a felled oak tree this time there was no mistaking it Billy Bones was dead and in his clenched fist was the most dangerous piece of paper in the world my mother and I stared at Billy Bone’s body in shock the firelight flickered across his weathered face making him look almost peaceful but that black spot in his hand told a different story entirely what do we do now my mother whispered her voice shaking I knelt beside the dead pirate and carefully pried the black spot from his fingers on the blank side written in the same hand were the words you have until 10 tonight I glanced at our old clock it was only 6 we had four hours before what before Pew and his companions came back to finish whatever business Billy Bones had left undone we have to get out of here I said trying to keep my voice steady those men will be coming back and when they find him dead but my mother had a different idea she stood up brushing off her dress with determined movements that man owes us money Jim Weeks of room and board if his associates are coming for his belongings we better get what’s ours first she had a point Billy Bones had been living on credit for months always promising payment when his ship came in now that he was dead this might be our only chance to collect what was owed I searched his pockets finding nothing but a few coins some tobacco and a small brass key hanging from a cord around his neck the key was warm from his body heat and it felt heavy with significance in my palm his sea chest I said this must open his sea chest we climbed the creaking stairs to Billy Bones Room the chest sat in the corner where it had been since the day he arrived a massive wooden box bound with iron scarred from years of rough handling the initial B was burned into the lid and I could smell the salt and tar that seemed to permeate everything connected to the sea my mother took the key with steady hands and turned it in the lock the chest opened with a groan of hinges releasing a cloud of musty air that smelled of tobacco rum and adventure the contents were a pirate’s lifetime collection fine clothes that had never been worn pistols with pearl handles silver bars foreign coins and trinkets from distant lands but at the very bottom wrapped in oilcloth was what we were really looking for a bundle of papers in a canvas bag that clinked with the sound of gold my mother began counting out coins to cover Billy Bone’s debt separating Spanish pieces of eight from English guineas with the practiced eye of an innkeeper but I was more interested in the papers there was something about that oilcloth bundle that made my heart race hurry mother I urged glancing at the window the sun was setting and shadows were growing long across the Cove we need to get out of here that’s when we heard it the same tapping sound that had announced Pew’s arrival tap tap tap getting closer with each second my mother’s hands froze over the coins take what we have she whispered we need to go now I grabbed the oilcloth bundle while she scooped up the coins we’d counted we blew out the candle and crept down the stairs in darkness Billy bones body a silent Sentinel in the flickering firelight the tapping had stopped which somehow made it even more frightening we made it to the back door and slipped out into the cool night air the fog was rolling in from the sea thick and concealing the bridge I whispered we can hide under the bridge we’d barely made it halfway when we heard voices from the inn rough urgent voices that spoke of violence and desperate men where is it someone snarled tear the place apart if you have to the old man’s dead came another voice someone got here before us then find the boy and his mother they must have it my mother stumbled and I caught her arm we made it to the little stone bridge just as lantern light began to flicker in the inn’s windows I helped my mother down the muddy bank and into the shallow water beneath the bridge’s arch above us we could hear them searching boots on wooden floors furniture being overturned angry shouts when they found the sea chest empty the sounds grew closer and I held my breath as footsteps crossed the bridge directly over our heads they’re not here someone called out must have run toward the village then we’ll catch them on the road came the reply they can’t have gone far but before they could start their pursuit a new sound cut through the night the thunder of hoofs on the road horses moving fast in information the pirates voices turned to panic it’s the revenue men someone screamed run for it what followed was chaos men scattering in all directions shouting warnings and curses I heard Pew’s voice above the rest high and desperate don’t leave me I can’t see where are you then came the sound that would haunt my dreams for years the scream of a man trampled by galloping horses Hugh’s cries cut off abruptly replaced by the jingle of bridles and the huffing of winded horses when the dust settled Revenue Officer Dance and his men had saved our lives they’d been patrolling the coast investigating reports of smuggling activity when they encountered the fleeing pirates Pew was dead crushed under their horses hooves the rest had escaped to their ship and vanished into the night well lad Officer Dance said to me as we stood in the wreckage of our inn it looks like you’ve had quite an adventure but I suspect it’s far from over he was right in my hands wrapped in that oilcloth bundle was something that would change the course of my life forever something worth killing for something worth dying for Officer Dance insisted we accompany him to the hall where Doctor Lovelace was dining with Squire Traloni the ride through the foggy countryside gave me time to think about what we’d been through and what might be coming next the hall was a grand old house all stone and Ivy with tall windows that glowed warmly in the darkness inside we were LED to a magnificent library where two gentlemen sat beside a roaring fire smoking pipes and discussing local affairs Doctor Livesey I knew a sharp eyed intelligent man with an air of quiet authority but Squire Tralani was new to me tall and broad shouldered with a weathered face that spoke of years spent traveling the world he had the bearing of a man accustomed to adventure Officer Dance told our story with military precision and I watched the two gentlemen’s expressions change from polite interest to intense fascination when he mentioned Billy Bones in the attack on our inn they exchanged meaningful glances Billy Bones Squire Trelawney mused I’ve heard that name before wasn’t he one of Captain Flint’s crew the same Doctor Livesey confirmed if the stories are true he was Flint’s first mate Captain Flint the name hung in the air like smoke from their pipes even I young as I was had heard whispers of that legendary pirate captain they said he was the most feared man ever to sail the Caribbean with a treasure hoard that defied imagination well then Jim Doctor Livesey said turning to me I believe you have something that belongs to us all now may we see what Billy Bones left behind with trembling hands I unwrapped the oilcloth bundle inside were two items a Ledger book filled with cryptic entries and a folded piece of Parchment sealed with wax Doctor Livesey examined the book first page after page of dates locations and sums of money all written in Billy bones shaky handwriting but instead of names there were only crosses dozens and dozens of crosses it’s a record Squire Tralani said reading over the doctor’s shoulder each cross represents a ship he helped capture or a town they raided look at these sums thousands of pounds but I was more interested in the sealed Parchment there was something about it that made my pulse quicken a sense that whatever was inside would change everything Doctor Livesey carefully broke the wax seals and unfolded the Parchment what we saw took our breath away it was a map not just any map but a detailed chart of an island complete with depth soundings safe anchorages and topographical features the island was roughly 9 miles long and 5 miles wide shaped something like a fat dragon rearing up on its hind legs but what really caught our attention were the three red X marks scattered across the island’s surface and beside the largest X written in red ink in a careful hand completely different from Billy Bones scroll were the words bulk of treasure here on the back of the map in the same neat handwriting were more detailed instructions tall tree spyglass shoulder bearing a point to the 9 of 9 Skeleton Island ESA and by e 10 feet the bar silver is in the north cash you can find it by the trend of the East Hummock 10 fathoms south of the black crag with the face on it the arms are easy found in the sandhill end point of North Inlet cape bearing e and a quarter N Drey end J F Captain Flint himself the silence in the room was profound we were looking at the most valuable piece of paper in the world a genuine treasure map created by the most successful pirate in history Squire Trelawney was the first to break the silence he jumped to his feet his eyes blazing with excitement gentlemen he declared his voice shaking with emotion we are going to find that treasure Doctor Levzy was more cautious it’s not that simple Trawley we don’t even know where this island is located but we can find out the squire insisted I have contacts in Bristol men who know every island in the Caribbean will outfit a ship hire a crew and sail to this this he consulted the map Treasure Island the name sent chills down my spine Treasure Island it sounded like something out of a fairy tale but the map in our hands was real enough I’m in Doctor Livesey said quietly my practice can wait when will we ever have another chance like this they both turned to look at me and I realized they were waiting for my answer me Jim Hawkins 17 years old and never been further from home than the Village Market they were asking if I wanted to join the greatest treasure hunt in history yes I said and my voice came out stronger than I felt I wanna go Squire Trelawney clapped me on the shoulder excellent Jim my boy you’re about to see the world we’ll need a fast ship a reliable crew and enough supplies for a long voyage I’ll head to Bristol tomorrow and begin making arrangements but Doctor Lovazi held up a cautioning hand we need to be careful about who we trust with this information those pirates who attacked the inn tonight they were looking for this map that means there are others out there who know about Flint’s treasure we can’t afford to let word get out about what we’re planning of course of course Squire Trelawney agreed we’ll be discretion itself I’ll simply tell people I’m outfitting a ship for a pleasure cruise to the West Indies nothing more as the evening wore on we made our plans I would stay at the hall while Squire Trolany travelled to Bristol to purchase an outfit a ship Doctor Lovelace would arrange for a colleague to take over his medical practice within a month we would be ready to sail a month in 30 days I would be aboard a ship bound for a legendary island where untold riches lay buried the thought was both thrilling and terrifying as I lay in bed that night in one of the hall’s comfortable guest rooms I studied the map by candlelight the island seemed to glow on the Parchment and I traced the coastline with my finger imagining what it would be like to walk those beaches and explore those hills somewhere out there on an island whose name I didn’t even know a pirate’s treasure was waiting and somehow I was going to help find it but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we weren’t the only ones with that idea those pirates hadn’t given up they just retreated to plan their next move and when we set sail for Treasure Island I had a feeling they wouldn’t be far behind the greatest adventure of my life was about to begin I just hoped I’d live through it three weeks later I found myself standing on the docks of Bristol breathing in the salt air and marveling at the forest of masts that stretched as far as the eye could see ships of every size and description crowded the harbor merchant vessels naval frigates fishing boats and sleek privateers that had seen action in distant waters but my attention was focused on one ship in particular a beautiful schooner anchored in the middle of the harbor her fresh paint gleaming in the morning sun the Hispaniola isn’t she a beauty Squire Troloney said following my gaze 200 tons fast as the wind and seaworthy as they come she’ll take us to Treasure Island and back in style the squire had been busy during his time in Bristol not only had he purchased the Hispaniola but he’d also hired what he claimed was the finest crew ever assembled his enthusiasm was infectious but Doctor Levzy seemed more reserved I hope your discretion was better than your judgment the doctor said quietly half the port seems to know we’re bound for treasure it was true as we’d walked through the docks that morning I’d noticed the looks we were getting calculating stares from weathered sailors whispered conversations that stopped when we passed by word had definitely gotten out nonsense Squire Trelawny protested I’ve been the soul of discretion I simply mentioned we were taking a cruise to the Caribbean nothing more but his protest rang hollow the squire was a good man but he’d never been able to keep a secret his excitement about our treasure hunt had probably leaked out in a dozen different conversations our first stop was the Spyglass Inn where we were to meet the ship’s cook a man Squire Trelawney had hired on the recommendation of several Bristol merchants the inn was a typical waterfront establishment filled with smoke and the loud voices of sailors enjoying their shore leave there he is the squire said pointing to a man standing behind the bar Long John Silver they say he’s the finest sea cook in all of Bristol Long John Silver was an impressive figure tall and broad shouldered with intelligent eyes and a ready smile he moved about the crowded inn with surprising Grace despite the wooden peg that replaced his left leg he was clearly popular with the customers who called out greetings as he served their drinks Mister Silver Squire Trolamy called out I’d like you to meet young Jim Hawkins our cabin boy silver turned toward us and I found myself looking into the sharpest pair of eyes I’d ever seen they seemed to take my measure in an instant cataloguing everything from my clothes to my posture to the nervous way I was fidgeting with my hat pleased to make your acquaintance Jim Silver said extending a massive hand long John Silver’s the name and I’ll be looking after your meals once we’re at sea you look like a lad with a good appetite I like that in a sailor his grip was firm but not crushing and his smile seemed genuine but there was something about him that made me uneasy though I couldn’t put my finger on what it was just then a commotion erupted near the door a pale thin man with two missing fingers was making his way quickly toward the exit pushing past other customers in his haste to leave I felt the blood drain from my face it was Black Dog the same man who’d visited Billy Bones at our inn the one who’d started this whole chain of events stop him I shouted that’s Black Dog the interrupted in chaos several of Silver’s customers gave chase but Black Dog had too much of a head start he vanished into the maze of Bristol’s waterfront streets leaving behind only questions and confusion silver questioned the man who’d been sitting near Black Dog but the fellow claimed he’d never seen him before and had no idea what they’d been discussing it all seemed very suspicious to me but silver handled it with the efficiency of a man used to dealing with waterfront troublemakers don’t you worry about it Jim Silver said placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder Bristol’s full of characters like that probably just some petty thief trying to work a confidence game you did right to speak up but I wasn’t convinced the appearance of Black Dog couldn’t be a coincidence somehow word of our expedition had reached the wrong ears and now the pirates who’d killed Billy Bones knew exactly where to find us the next morning we went aboard the Hispaniola to meet Captain Smollett the man Squire Trelawney had hired to command our expedition he was a sharp faced no nonsense naval officer with a reputation for running a tight ship Captain Smollett wasted no time on pleasantries gentlemen he said as soon as we were assembled in his cabin I need to speak plainly I don’t like this voyage I don’t like the crew and I don’t like the way it’s been organized Squire Traloni bristled perhaps you don’t like your employer either I reserve judgment on that Smollett replied coolly but I will say this every man in Bristol knows we’re sailing for treasure that’s not the kind of secret you want spread around the waterfront Doctor Livesey leaned forward what do you propose we do about it first move all the weapons and gunpowder to the stern cabin where we can control access to them second bring your own men aft to sleep near us third tell no one not even me the exact location of this island until we’re well at sea it was good advice and we spent the rest of the day rearranging the ship according to Captain Small’s specifications the Hispaniola was well designed for our purposes with comfortable quarters in the stern for the gentlemen and a spacious area between decks for the crew but it was the crew itself that worried me most Squire Troloney had hired 18 men to sail the Hispaniola most of them on Long John Silver’s recommendation they were a rough looking bunch scarred weathered and hard eyed in the way of men who’d seen violence and weren’t afraid of it still they seemed competent enough they went about their duties with the efficiency of experienced sailors and silver clearly had their respect when he gave an order they jumped to obey calling him barbecue with obvious affection the morning of our departure dawned clear and bright Bristol Harbor was busy with ships preparing to sail on the morning tide and the Hispaniola was just one more vessel among many but to me she represented the beginning of the greatest adventure in history as we weighed anchor and set sail down the channel Long John Silver stood near the capstan leading the crew in an old sea chantey 15 men on the dead man’s chest yo ho ho and a bottle of rum drink and the devil had done for the rest yo ho ho and a bottle of rum the familiar words sent chills down my spine it was the same song Billy Bones used to sing the same tune that had haunted my dreams back at the Admiral Benbow hearing it now sung by 18 voices as we sailed toward Treasure Island felt like an omen but whether it was a good omen or a bad one only time would tell as England faded into the morning haze behind us I stood at the rail and watched the open ocean stretch out ahead somewhere out there beyond the horizon an island was waiting an island where the greatest treasure in pirate history lay buried the hunt was officially on the voyage to Treasure Island took us six weeks and for most of that time I thought we were the luckiest crew ever to sail the Caribbean the Hispaniola proved herself a magnificent ship slicing through the waves like a knife through silk the weather was perfect steady trade winds and clear skies that stretched from horizon to horizon but it was the crew that really impressed me under Long John Silver’s leadership they worked with an efficiency I’d never seen before every rope was perfectly coiled every sail trimmed to perfection every task completed with naval precision silver himself was a marvel despite his wooden leg he moved about the ship with the agility of a cat he’d rigged up a system of ropes and handholds that let him navigate the deck even in heavy weather and his cooking was legendary among the crew come here Jim he called to me as I passed the galley let Old Barbecue tell you about the places we’re sailing to I’d sit cross legged on the deck while silver worked at his stove listening to his tales of distant islands and exotic ports he had a gift for storytelling painting vivid pictures of places with names like Tortuga Port Royal and the Spanish Main and always perched on his shoulder was his parrot a brilliant green bird he called Captain Flint after the famous pirate this here bird silver would say scratching the parrot’s head she’s sailed more miles than most men ever dream of into Madagascar to the Malabar Coast even to the China Sea haven’t you cap’n pieces of eight pieces of eight the parrot would squawk and silver would laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world but not everything was perfect aboard the Hispaniola our first mate Mr Arrow proved to be a drunkard who could barely function he’d appear on deck swaying and slurring his words clearly having gotten into the rum stores despite Captain Smollett’s strict rules about alcohol where does he get it Captain Smollett wondered aloud we’ve searched his quarters watched him constantly but somehow he keeps finding liquor the mystery was solved one dark night when Mr Arrow simply vanished we found his empty bunk in the morning but no trace of the man himself he’d either fallen overboard in a drunken stupor or thrown himself into the sea in a fit of despair man overboard was called but it was too late the Caribbean had claimed another victim with Mister Arrow gone long John Silver’s influence on the crew grew even stronger Captain Smalllet promoted the boatswain job Anderson to acting first mate but everyone knew who really ran things below decks when silver spoke the crew listened it was our last night before reaching Treasure Island when I made the discovery that changed everything I’d been working late helping to prepare the ship for our arrival at the island the sun had set hours ago and most of the crew was asleep feeling thirsty I decided to get an apple from the barrel we kept on deck for the men to snack on the barrel was nearly empty just a few apples rolling around in the bottom I climbed inside to reach them settling down in the darkness to enjoy my late night treat that’s when I heard footsteps approaching and Long John Silver’s voice carried clearly in the still night air not I he was saying to someone Flint was captain I was quartermaster along of my timber leg the same broadside I lost my leg old pew lost his deadlights my blood turned to Ice Pew the blind pirate who’d given Billy Bones the Black Spot silver was talking about him like an old friend ah came another voice Young Dick Johnson one of the newer crew members he was the flower of the flock was Flint Davis was a man too by all accounts silver continued I never sailed along of him first with England then with Flint that’s my story and now here on my own account in a manner of speaking I laid by 900 safe from England and 2 thousand after Flint that ain’t bad for a man before the mast all safe in bank I couldn’t breathe silver wasn’t just any cook he was a pirate one of Flint’s own crew and if he was here talking about the old days well it ain’t much use after all Dick was saying it ain’t much use for fools you may lay to it silver replied but now you look here you’re young you are but you’re as smart as paint I see that when I set my eyes on you and I’ll talk to you like a man he was recruiting Dick turning him into another pirate my heart pounded so loud I was sure they’d hear it here it is about gentlemen of fortune silver continued using the pirate’s term for themselves they lives rough and they risk swinging but they eat and drink like fighting cocks and when a cruise is done why it’s hundreds of pounds instead of hundreds of farthings in their pockets more footsteps and I heard Israel Hands join the conversation hands was the coxswain a grizzled sailor I’d thought was loyal to Captain Smollett but from what I was hearing he was another of Silver’s conspirators I’ve had almost enough of Captain Smollett Hands was complaining he’s hazed me long enough by thunder I wanna go into that cabin I do I want their pickles and wines and that Israel Silver said your head ain’t much account nor ever was but you’re able to hear I reckon leastways your ears is big enough now here’s what I say you’ll birth forward and you’ll live hard and you’ll speak soft and you’ll keep sober till I give the word and you may lay to that my son they were planning mutiny but when when by the powers silver continued well now if you wanna know I’ll tell you when the last moment I can manage and that’s when here’s a first rate Seaman Captain Smollett sails the blessed ship for us here’s this squire and doctor with a map and such I don’t know where it is do I no more do you says you well then I mean this squire and doctor shall find the stuff and help us to get it aboard by the powers then we’ll see my worst fears were confirmed they plan to let us find the treasure then kill us all and take it for themselves but asked Dick when we do lay him athwart what are we to do with him anyhow there’s the man for me cried silver admiringly that’s what I call business well what would you think put’em ashore like maroons that would have been England’s way or cut’em down like that much pork that would have been Flint’s or Billy Bones’s Billy was the man for that said hounds dead men don’t bite says he right you are said silver but Mark you here I’m an easy man I’m quite the gentleman says you but this time it’s serious duty is duty mates I give my vote death when I’m in parliament and riding in my coach I don’t want none of these sea lawyers in the cabinet of coming home unlooked for like the devil at prayers death they were planning to murder us all just then the ship’s lookout called out from the crow’s nest land ho the conspirators scattered and I heard feet running across the deck as the crew rushed to see our destination trembling with fear and excitement I climbed out of the apple barrel and joined the crowd at the rail there rising from the moonlit sea like something out of a dream was Treasure Island it was exactly as the map had shown it a mountainous island shaped like a fat dragon with steep cliffs and dense forest covering most of its surface the highest peak which had to be Spyglass Hill thrust up into the night sky like a giant’s finger but all I could think about was what I just Learned half the crew were pirates planning to kill us as soon as we found Flint’s treasure and their leader was Long John Silver the man I’d trusted the man who’d seemed so friendly and helpful I had to warn Captain Smollett and the others but how could I do it without tipping off the mutineers and how many of the crew were involved could we trust anyone as the Hispaniola sailed closer to shore I realized that our real adventure was just beginning finding the treasure would be the easy part staying alive long enough to enjoy it that was going to be the real challenge don was breaking over Treasure Island as I finally found my chance to warn Captain Smollett and the others the ship lay at anchor in a beautiful natural harbor surrounded by dense tropical forest that came right down to the water’s edge Doctor Lovsey was on deck early checking his medical supplies before we went ashore I approached him casually trying not to attract attention from the crew members who were preparing the boats doctor I said quietly I need to speak with you the captain and Squire Trelawney privately it’s urgent something in my voice must have convinced him because he nodded immediately captain he called out might I have a word below and squire Traloni as well a few minutes later we were gathered in the captain’s cabin with the door locked I told them everything I’d overheard in the Apple Barrel Silver’s true identity the planned mutiny the intention to kill us all after we found the treasure the silence that followed was profound finally Captain Smollett spoke how many men can we trust he asked your own servants Doctor Livesey replied referring to the three men Squire Trelawney had brought from his estate Hunter Joyce and Redruth they’re completely loyal that makes seven of us the captain calculated against 19 mutineers not good odds but we had advantages too we controlled the ship’s weapons we knew about the mutiny while they thought their secret was safe and we had the map they needed to find the treasure there’s something else Doctor Lovsey said consulting a chart of the island look here there’s a stockade marked on the north shore some kind of fortification left over from the old days if we could reach it Captain Smollett studied the chart it’s defensible fresh water clear fields of fire solid walls if we can get there with enough supplies we might be able to hold out until help arrives but how do we get there without alerting the mutineers Squire Trelawney asked the captain smiled grimly we let them go ashore first silver’s too smart to try anything while we’re all aboard the Hispaniola he’ll want to get his men on solid ground get them organized that gives us a window of opportunity the plan we developed was dangerous but simple we’d encourage the crew to go ashore ostensibly to explore the island and stretch their legs after the long voyage while they were gone we’d load a boat with weapons and supplies and make a dash for the stockade the morning sun climbed higher as silver organized shore parties most of the crew was eager to set foot on dry land but a few volunteered to stay aboard to guard the ship Jim Silver called out to me you coming ashore with old barbecue there’s fruit to be picked and fresh water to be found do you good to get off this floating coffin for a while every instinct told me to stay as far away from silver as possible but then I had an idea a crazy dangerous idea that might give us a crucial advantage before anyone could stop me I jumped into one of the boats just as it was pushing off from the Hispaniola Jim Captain Smollett called after me but it was too late we were already rowing towards shore silver looked surprised but pleased well Jim he said looks like you’re coming on an adventure after all if only he knew what kind of adventure I had in mind the boat ground against the sandy beach and I was the first one out splashing through the shallow water toward the treeline before silver could react I was running full speed into the jungle branches whipping across my face as I plunged deeper into the green twilight Jim Silver shouted behind me but I didn’t slow down I had my own mission now to explore the island find that stockade and maybe discover what other secrets Treasure Island was hiding the jungle was like nothing I’d ever experienced massive trees soared overhead their canopy so thick it blocked out most of the sunlight vines hung like curtains and strange birds called out warnings as I crashed through the underbrush I followed what looked like an old path probably made by the pirates who’d visited this island years ago it LED inland winding between enormous tree trunks and across crystal clear streams that’s when I heard the voices two men were arguing somewhere ahead of me their words carrying clearly in the still air I crept closer using the thick vegetation as cover until I could see them in a small clearing one was silver unmistakable even from behind because of his wooden leg and the parrot on his shoulder the other was Tom one of the honest sailors who’d apparently refused to join the mutiny Silver Tom was saying his voice shaking with emotion you’re old and you’re honest or has the name for it and you’ve money too which lots of poor sailors hasn’t and you’re brave or I’m mistook and will you tell me you’ll let yourself be LED away with that kind of a mess of swabs not you as sure as God sees me I’d sooner lose my hand if I turn again my duty he never finished the sentence a horrible scream echoed through the forest from somewhere deeper in the island the death cry of a man in agony Tom leaped at the sound but silver didn’t even flinch he just stood there watching Tom with those sharp calculating eyes John Tom said reaching out his hand what was that that silver replied with a cold smile oh I reckon that’ll be Allan Allan another one of the honest sailors the mutineers had already started killing Tom’s face went white with understanding then rest his soul for a true Seaman and as for you John Silver long you’ve been a mate of mine but you’re mate of mine no more if I die like a dog I’ll die in my duty you’ve killed Alan have you kill me too if you can but I defies you with that brave speech Tom turned his back on silver and started walking toward the beach he never saw the crutch that silver hurled at him like a spear catching him between the shoulder blades and sending him crashing to the ground silver was on him in an instant moving with terrifying speed despite his disability I watched in horror as he buried his knife in Tom’s back then struck again and again until the brave sailor lay still I must have made some sound a gasp a broken branch because Silver’s head snapped up and those predatory eyes scanned the jungle around the clearing I pressed myself against a tree trunk and held my breath certain he’d spot me but after a moment silver whistled sharply some kind of signal to his confederates and began cleaning his bloody knife on the grass I took that as my cue to get as far away as possible I ran blindly through the forest no longer caring about paths or direction all I wanted was to put distance between myself and that cold blooded killer branches tore at my clothes and thorns scratched my face but I kept running until my lungs burned and my legs gave out when I finally stopped gasping for breath in a small Grove of palm trees I realized I was completely lost the jungle stretched in every direction a green maze with no landmarks I could recognize that’s when I heard the rustling in the bushes behind me something was moving through the undergrowth something big my heart hammered as I imagined silver and his pirates tracking me down ready to silence the one witness to Tom’s murder but what emerged from the jungle wasn’t a pirate at all it was the wildest looking human being I’d ever seen dressed in rags and animal skins with a tangled beard and hair bleached white by the sun he looked like Robinson Crusoe’s mad brother but it was his eyes that really caught my attention they were bright and intelligent despite his savage appearance who are you I managed to stammer Ben Gunn he replied his voice rusty from disuse and I haven’t spoke with a Christian these three years Ben Gunn the name wasn’t familiar but there was something about the way he spoke that marked him as an Englishman despite his wild appearance were you shipwrecked I asked nay mate he said with a bitter laugh marooned marooned the cruelest punishment pirates could inflict on one of their own left alone on a deserted island with just a musket some powder and the clothes on your back three years ago Ben continued I was aboard a ship that came here looking for Flint’s treasure the captain didn’t want to waste time on it but I convinced the crew to mutiny 12 days we searched this cursed island and when we found nothing they left me here as punishment my heart began to race this man knew about Flint’s treasure he’d been searching for it for three years but here’s the thing Jim Ben said his eyes gleaming with a mixture of madness and cunning I found it found every last piece of 8 every bar of silver every golden doubloon it’s all mine now hidden away safe as houses he’d found the treasure this wild half mad castaway had already discovered the greatest pirate hoard in history I’ll make a deal with you Jim Ben continued you help me get off this island and I’ll share the treasure with you and your friends but there’s one condition that man with one leg must not be allowed to get his hands on it long John Silver must not get the treasure my blood ran cold you know silver know him Ben laughed but there was no humor in it I sailed with him for two years under Captain Flint he was quartermaster then and the cruellest man I ever knew if silver’s here it means trouble for everyone just then we heard the boom of a cannon echoing across the island then another and another they’ve started fighting I said then we’d better get moving Ben replied follow me Jim time to see what old Ben Gun’s been up to all these years as we headed deeper into the island I couldn’t help but smile silver thought he was so clever planning to use us to find the treasure and then kill us but Ben Gun had already beaten us all to it the real question was would any of us live long enough to enjoy it the sound of gunfire grew louder as Ben Gun LED me through the jungle toward the center of the island we could hear shouting in the distance the crash of musket volleys and the occasional boom of the Hispaniola’s cannon they found the stockade Ben said pausing to listen your friends are smart that’s the only defensible position on the whole island we climbed a steep hill covered in dense undergrowth and at the top Ben pushed aside a curtain of vines to reveal a hidden cave inside I could see supplies tools and what looked like years worth of salvaged goods from wrecked ships this is where I’ve been living he explained but the treasure’s not here that’s hidden somewhere much safer from our Vantage point we could see the stockade in the distance it was exactly as marked on the map a wooden fortress built on a hill with a spring of fresh water and clear fields of fire the British flag was flying from a pole in the centre which meant Captain Smollett and the others had successfully reached it but they were under siege I could see muzzle flashes from the jungle around the stockade as Silver’s pirates kept up a steady fire smoke drifted across the clearing and the crack of rifles echoed off the surrounding hills 19 against seven Ben mused not good odds actually I said thinking quickly it’s 19 against eight now I’m with Captain Smollett Ben grinned showing teeth that were surprisingly white despite his years of isolation then let’s even the odds a bit more shall we what followed was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life using paths only Ben knew we circled around behind the pirate positions Ben had weapons cached throughout the island muskets pistols and powder he’d salvaged over the years I’ve been preparing for this day he whispered as we crept through the undergrowth knew someone would come for that treasure eventually the first pirate never saw us coming Ben appeared behind him like a ghost and before the man could cry out he was unconscious on the jungle floor one down Ben whispered 18 to go but our luck couldn’t last forever as we approached the second pirate position a branch snapped under my foot the lookout spun around raising his musket and I thought we were done for that’s when Ben Gunn showed me why he’d survived three years alone on this island he moved like lightning throwing his knife with deadly accuracy the pirate dropped without a sound Clint taught me that trick then said retrieving his blade never thought I’d use it against his own crew we continued our deadly game of cat and mouse picking off isolated pirates one by one but the main force was still concentrated around the stockade keeping up their siege we could hear Silver’s voice shouting orders coordinating the attack they’re planning something Ben said studying the pirate positions probably a full assault at nightfall that’s when I had an idea Ben you said you knew this island better than anyone is there a way to get into the stockade without being seen he grinned there’s a tunnel dug it myself connects to the spring inside the fort been working on it for three years just in case the tunnel was a masterpiece of engineering narrow well concealed and bone dry despite running under the water table we crawled through it on our hands and knees emerging inside the stockade just as the sun was setting the scene that greeted us was grim Captain Smollett was wounded his shoulder bandaged and his face pale from blood loss Doctor Lovsey was treating two other injured men while Squire Trolaney and the remaining crew members manned the walls Jim the squire exclaimed when he saw me emerge from the tunnel thank god you’re alive we thought silver had captured you not yet I said grimly but he’s killed at least two of the honest sailors and he’s planning a night attack Ben Gunn’s appearance caused quite a stir his wild appearance and strange clothes made him look like some kind of jungle spirit but his information about the island’s defenses was invaluable the main attack will come from the north he explained sketching a rough map in the dirt that’s where the ground is most level but they’ll send a smaller force around to the east to create a diversion Captain Smollett despite his wounds took charge of the defense hunter you and Joyce take the east wall squire you’re with me on the north side Doctor Lovsey I need you to coordinate from the center what about me I asked you’ve done enough for one day Jim the captain said kindly stay low and keep out of trouble but trouble had a way of finding me the attack came just after midnight Silver’s pirates emerged from the jungle like ghosts moving silently toward the stockade walls but Ben Gun’s intelligence had prepared us for their tactics the first assault was a feint a small group of pirates making noise on the east side to draw our attention when hunter and Joyce opened fire on them the main force struck from the north here they come Squire Tralony shouted and suddenly the night exploded in gunfire pirates swarmed over the north wall their cutlasses gleaming in the muzzle flashes Captain Smalllet wounded as he was fought like a demon his sword cutting down two attackers before they could reach the main compound but there were too many of them for every pirate we shot two more took his place I saw Doctor Lovsey fall clutching his side and thought we were finished that’s when Ben Gun proved his worth he’d positioned himself in the Watchtower with a bag full of grenades he’d made from salvaged gunpowder as the pirates climbed the walls he began lobbing these improvised bombs into their midst the explosions were devastating pirates were blown off the walls their screams echoing across the island the attack faltered then broke completely as the surviving mutineers retreated into the jungle but we paid a heavy price two of our men were dead and several others were wounded we couldn’t survive another assault like that we need to end this Captain Smallett said through gritted teeth and there’s only one way to do it he was looking at me when he said it and I knew what he was thinking someone needed to reach the Hispaniola and turn the ship’s guns on the pirate camp someone small enough to slip through their lines undetected Jim no Doctor Livesey protested it’s too dangerous but Ben Gunn was already nodding the boy’s right and I know a way to get him there there’s a small boat hidden on the north shore a coracle I built from driftwood and animal hides Jim can use it to reach the ship as dawn broke over Treasure Island I prepared for the most dangerous mission of my young life armed with a brace of pistols and Ben Gunn’s best wishes I slipped out of the stockade and began making my way toward the hidden boat behind me the British flag still flew over the stockade but I wondered how much longer it would be there everything depended on what happened in the next few hours everything depended on whether one 17 year old boy could somehow turn the tide of battle the greatest treasure hunt in history was about to reach its climax and I was right in the middle of it Ben Gun’s coracle was unlike anything I’d ever seen a round basket like boat made from woven branches and covered with animal hides it looked more like a giant soup bowl than a seaworthy vessel but Ben assured me it would float the little boat sat so low in the water that waves lapped at the sides as I paddled out into the harbor the Hispaniola lay at anchor about half a mile away her masts silhouetted against the starry sky but as I got closer I realized something was wrong the ship was moving not sailing exactly but drifting slowly with the current and there were no lights showing no sign of the anchor watch that should have been on duty I paddled closer fighting the coracle’s tendency to spin in circles that’s when I heard voices coming from the ship angry drunken voices that carried clearly across the still water two men were arguing in the stern cabin their words slurred with rum but their anger unmistakable through the open windows I could see them grappling with each other locked in some kind of desperate struggle the ship’s cable had been cut someone probably the two men fighting below had tried to steal the Hispaniola and sail away with the treasure leaving silver and the rest of the pirates stranded on the island this was my chance Israel Hands the coxswain I’d thought was loyal to Captain Smollett was wrestling with another pirate over control of the ship both men were drunk both were armed and both looked ready to kill I had to act fast if the Hispaniola drifted out to sea we’d lose our only means of escape from Treasure Island and if hands managed to kill his opponent and gain control of the ship he could sail back to pick up silver and the other pirates climbing the rope as quietly as I could I hauled myself up and over the stern rail the deck was deserted the two drunken pirates below were apparently the only ones left aboard my first priority was the ship’s armament the Hispaniola carried several small cannon including a 9 pounder that could do serious damage to the pirate camp on shore but the guns were loaded and primed one spark in the wrong place could blow us all to kingdom come I was examining the main cannon when the fighting below reached its climax there was a crash a scream and then sudden silence moments later Israel hands emerged on deck blood streaming from a head wound but very much alive his opponent was nowhere to be seen well well hands said when he spotted me his voice thick with rum and malice if it ain’t little Jim Hawkins come to pay old Israel a visit have you I backed away my hand moving instinctively to the pistol tucked in my belt the ship was drifting I said trying to keep my voice steady I thought something might be wrong Hans laughed a sound like breaking glass wrong nothing’s wrong boy just settling some old accounts my friend down there got too greedy for his own good he advanced toward me and I could see he was badly hurt blood covered one side of his face and he moved with the careful deliberation of a man fighting to stay conscious here’s what’s going to happen Jim he continued you’re going to help me sail this ship back to shore we’ll pick up silver and the boys collect our treasure and sail away rich men all you have to do is cooperate and if I don’t his hand moved to the cutlass at his side then you’ll end up like my friend below dead men tell no tales as they say but Hans had made a crucial mistake he assumed I was just a frightened boy who would do whatever he said he didn’t know about my time in the apple barrel listening to the pirates plan their mutiny he didn’t know I’d seen silver murder Tom in cold blood and he definitely didn’t know I was armed I have a better idea I said drawing my pistol and pointing it at his chest you’re going to help me sail this ship away from the island we’ll head for the nearest British port where you can face trial for piracy Hans stared at the gun in my hands his face going through a range of emotions surprise anger and finally calculation easy there boy he said raising his hands in mock surrender no need to get excited maybe we can work something out but I could see him edging toward a coil of rope where he’d hidden a second pistol his eyes kept flicking to it measuring the distance don’t even think about it I warned I know exactly what kind of man you are hands I heard you planning to murder us all did you know he said and his pretense of cooperation dropped away like a mask well then I guess there’s no point in being polite he lunged for his hidden weapon I fired the shot was deafeningly loud in the confines of the ship hands spun around clutching his shoulder but he didn’t go down instead he came at me with his cutlass roaring like a wounded bear I dodged backward trying to reload my pistol but there wasn’t time hands blade whistled past my ear so close I felt the wind of its passage the ship chose that moment to lurch violently to one side we were in the grip of a strong current being swept toward the rocky coast at alarming speed if we hit those rocks hands and I both grabbed for handholds as the Hispaniola heeled over barrels and loose equipment went crashing across the deck the wheel spun freely no one at the helm to guide our course help me with the wheel I shouted we’ll both drown if the ship breaks up on the rocks for a moment Hans seemed to consider it then his face twisted with rage and desperation better to die than let you take my ship he came at me again but the rolling deck threw off his balance I managed to get behind the main mast using it as a shield while I fumbled with my second pistol the sound of surf on rocks was getting louder we were running out of time that’s when I saw our Salvation a narrow channel between two rocky outcrops that LED to a sheltered Cove on the north side of the island if I could somehow get control of the wheel Hans must have seen it too because he suddenly changed tactics instead of trying to kill me immediately he began working his way toward the helm clearly intending to steer us safely to shore where his pirate friends could help him I couldn’t let that happen taking careful aim with my second pistol I fired at the wheel mechanism the shot shattered the spokes making the wheel useless now neither of us could control the ship’s course Hans screamed in fury and threw his cutlass at me like a spear I dove to one side but the blade caught my sleeve pinning me to the mast before I could tear free hands was on me his hands closing around my throat despite his wounds he was incredibly strong dark spots danced before my eyes as his grip tightened but the ship had other ideas about our fight with a grinding crash that shook the entire vessel the Hispaniola struck a submerged rock the impact threw both hands and knee across the deck I heard him cry out as his head struck the rail and then he was gone pitched over the side into the churning water below I pulled myself to my feet gasping for air and checking my wounds the cutlass had barely scratched me and apart from some bruises I was unhurt but the Hispaniola was in serious trouble water was pouring in through a gash in her hull and she was settling by the bow I had maybe 10 minutes before she went under completely 10 minutes to do what I’d come here to do working frantically I loaded the 9 pounder cannon with chain shot and aimed it toward the pirate camp on shore through the growing daylight I could see smoke rising from their fires they were probably celebrating what they thought was Silver’s victory over the stockade time to give them a surprise I lit the fuse and dove for cover behind the capstan the cannon roared belching flame and smoke the chain shot screamed through the air toward the pirate encampment I didn’t wait to see where it landed already the Hispaniola was listing badly to starboard if I didn’t get off soon I’d go down with her Ben Gunn’s coracle was still tied to the stern bobbing like a Cork in the increasingly rough water I threw my remaining weapons into it and lowered myself down just as the ship gave a final shuddering lurch as I paddled away from the sinking Hispaniola I felt a mixture of triumph and terror I denied the pirates their escape route and probably disrupted their camp with my cannon shot but I was also alone on a hostile island with dangerous enemies all around me the sun was rising over Treasure Island painting the sky in brilliant shades of red and gold somewhere on this beautiful deadly island the greatest treasure in pirate history was waiting to be found the question was would any of us live long enough to claim it I made it back to shore just as the sun cleared the horizon pulling Ben Gunn’s coracle up onto a secluded beach on the island’s north coast in the distance I could see smoke rising from what had been the pirate camp my cannon shot had apparently done some damage but I had more immediate concerns I was alone lightly armed and somewhere on this island were the surviving pirates who would kill me on sight I needed to get back to the stockade and rejoin Captain Small’s forces the jungle seemed different in daylight less threatening but more confusing every tree looked the same every path seemed to lead nowhere I was soon completely lost stumbling through dense undergrowth with no idea which direction I was heading that’s when I heard voices moving as quietly as I could I crept toward the sound through a gap in the vegetation I could see a group of men in a small clearing silver in the surviving pirates arguing among themselves there were only six of them left my cannon shot and the battle at the stockade had taken a heavy toll on the mutineers but silver was still in command his voice cutting through their complaints like a whip shut your mouths the lot of you he was saying we came here for treasure and by thunder we’re going to get it I didn’t sail halfway around the world to go home empty handed but the ship’s gone John one of the pirates protested how do we get off this cursed island there are other boats silver replied the stockade has a launch and there are probably native canoes hidden around the coast we find the treasure first then worry about getting home I was about to creep away when I heard footsteps behind me before I could react rough hands grabbed my arms and dragged me into the clearing look what I found skulking in the bushes my captor announced it was George Mary one of Silver’s most loyal followers little Jim Hawkins come to join the party Silver’s face went through a remarkable transformation when he saw me first surprise then calculation and finally something that might have been genuine pleasure Jim he exclaimed as if greeting an old friend my dear boy you gave us quite a scare we thought you’d been eaten by wild animals or fallen off a cliff the other pirates weren’t so welcoming they stared at me with undisguised hatred and I could see several hands moving toward weapon handles he’s the one sank our ship George Mary snarled saw him swimming away from the wreck little Viper probably killed Israel hands too now now silver said mildly but his eyes never left my face Jim’s got spirit I’ll give him that takes guts to tackle a full grown ship on your own he limped closer studying me like a cat examining a mouse here’s what I’m thinking Jim you’ve caused us a considerable amount of trouble but you’re still just a boy boys make mistakes the question is are you smart enough to learn from yours what do you mean I asked though I had a pretty good idea where this was heading I mean you can join us silver said simply become a gentleman of fortune like the rest of us share in the treasure see the world live free as the wind what do you say the other pirates muttered among themselves clearly not happy with this offer but silver silenced them with a look think about it Jim he continued your friends in the stockade are probably all dead by now even if they’re not they’ll never trust you again not after you ran off and caused all this trouble you’ve got nowhere else to go he was wrong about that I knew Captain Smollett and Doctor Lacy wouldn’t abandon me but I also knew I was in deadly danger these men had already killed several of my companions and they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me too if I refused Silver’s offer I need time to think I said silver nodded fair enough but while you’re thinking you can help us look for this treasure we’ve got Flint’s map and we know the general area just need to find the right tree the map I’d forgotten that Doctor Lovsey had it when we reached the island how had silver gotten hold of it as if reading my thoughts silver pulled the familiar Parchment from his pocket your doctor friend was good enough to trade this for safe passage off the island he said with a grin amazing how cooperative a man becomes when you’ve got a gun to his head my heart sank if Doctor Livsey had been forced to give up the map it meant the situation at the stockade was even worse than I’d feared come on then silver continued folding the map carefully let’s go find ourselves a fortune the search for Flint’s treasure took us to the center of the island where the ground rose in a series of steep ridges covered with dense forest according to the map we were looking for a tall tree on the shoulder of Spyglass Hill with specific compass bearings to Skeleton Island silver had appointed himself expedition leader consulting the map frequently and calling out course corrections the other pirates followed in sullen silence their earlier enthusiasm dampened by the loss of so many companions I walked between two of them George Merry and a scarred veteran named Morgan both men watched me constantly clearly hoping I’d try to escape so they’d have an excuse to shoot me we’d been walking for about an hour when we found the skeleton it lay at the foot of a massive pine tree partially hidden by creeping vines and scattered by years of weather but there was no mistaking what it was or how it had been arranged the bones were laid out in a perfect straight line arms extended over the head feet pointing directly towards Skeleton Island someone had positioned this poor soul as a compass marker using his remains to point the way to the treasure the sight of the skeleton had a profound effect on the pirates they huddled together whispering nervously and casting fearful glances at the surrounding forest the cheerful greed that had driven them this far was replaced by superstitious dread it came from somewhere in the trees ahead of us thin and wavering like an old man’s whisper but carrying clearly in the still air 15 men on the dead man’s chest yo ho ho and a bottle of rum the pirates froze in terror the song was unmistakable it was Flint’s favorite shanty the one he’d sung as he murdered his way across the Caribbean it’s him George Mary whispered his face white as bone it’s Flint’s ghost come back to guard his treasure the voice came again stronger this time drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum two of the pirates broke and ran crashing through the underbrush in their panic the others stood frozen their weapons shaking in their hands but silver was made of sterner stuff after the initial shock his face hardened with determination ghosts don’t leave footprints he said studying the ground around us and they don’t need to breathe someone’s playing games with us he was right of course I’d recognized the voice myself it was Ben Gunn using his knowledge of the island to spook the pirates but the others were too frightened to think clearly let’s get out of here Morgan pleaded this place is cursed no treasure is worth our souls you’re welcome to leave silver replied coldly but I’m going to find that treasure if I have to search every tree on this island his determination rallied the remaining pirates and we continued our climb but I could see they were nervous jumping at every sound and constantly looking over their shoulders finally we reached the tall tree marked on Flint’s map it was a giant of the forest soaring 200 feet into the air with a trunk so wide it would take six men holding hands to encircle it and at its base was a large excavation clearly man made with broken tools scattered around the edges the treasure hole was empty silver stared into the pit for a long moment his face cycling through disbelief rage and finally cold calculation the other pirates began cursing and arguing among themselves but silver just stood there thinking someone beat us to it he said finally the question is who that’s when Ben Gunn’s voice rang out from the trees around us not singing this time but speaking with perfect clarity looking for something John the pirates spun around weapons raised but they couldn’t see their tormentor Ben had positioned himself well using the thick forest canopy as cover Ben Gun Silver called out I should have known come out where I can see you you scurvy rat I don’t think so John Ben replied his voice seeming to come from a different direction now I like it better up here better view of the whole island where’s the treasure Ben Ben’s laughter echoed through the forest safe and sound John safer than it ever was with Flint and it’s going to stay that way that’s when I heard other voices familiar voices that made my heart leap with relief Captain Smollett Doctor Levzi and Squire Troloney emerged from the forest armed and ready for battle I believe that treasure belongs to us Captain Smollett said calmly his pistol trained on Silver’s chest the standoff lasted only seconds outnumbered and outgunned the surviving pirates threw down their weapons and surrendered all except silver who stood there leaning on his crutch studying the situation with those sharp calculating eyes well played captain he said finally I have to admire a man who can turn the tables so completely it wasn’t my doing Smollett replied you can thank Ben Gunn for that he’s been watching your every move since you landed on this island Ben dropped down from the trees like a monkey grinning from ear to ear been waiting three years for this moment he said three years of planning and preparing and now it’s finally over the treasure Squire Trelawney asked eagerly safe in my cave Ben replied all 700,000 pounds of it took me two years to move it all piece by piece but it’s hidden where no pirate will ever find it as we marched the captured pirates back toward the stockade silver fell into step beside me you did well Jim he said quietly got more backbone than most men twice your age if things had been different but they weren’t I replied you chose your path silver now you’ll have to live with the consequences he nodded thoughtfully I that I will but Mark my words boy this isn’t over not by a long shot I shivered despite the tropical heat something in Silver’s tone suggested he still had cards left to play the treasure hunt was over but our adventure on Treasure Island was far from finished Ben Gunn’s Cave was like something out of a fairy tale hidden in the cliffs on the island’s north shore it was a vast natural chamber lit by shafts of sunlight filtering through cracks in the rock ceiling and stacked against the walls gleaming in the golden light was the greatest treasure hoard in pirate history bars of silver chests full of gold coins precious gems and artifacts from a dozen different countries it was everything Flint had accumulated during his decades of piracy Ben had organized it all with the methodical precision of a born accountant separating the coins by country and denomination arranging the silver bars in neat stacks and carefully cataloguing each piece of jewellery took me six months just to count it all Ben said proudly £700,000 give or take a few thousand more money than most men see in 10 lifetimes the sight of all that wealth had a strange effect on our little group Squire Trelawny stood there with his mouth open apparently unable to speak Doctor Lovsey kept shaking his head in amazement even Captain Smollett disciplined as he was couldn’t hide his wonder but it was the captured pirates who showed the strongest reaction they stared at the treasure with naked hunger their eyes reflecting the glitter of gold and silver I could see them calculating even in defeat wondering if there might still be a way to get their hands on some of that wealth silver as always was the most controlled he looked at the treasure the way a general might study a battlefield professionally analytically without letting emotion cloud his judgment well Ben he said finally I have to hand it to you this is the finest piece of work I’ve ever seen Flint himself couldn’t have done better high praise coming from you John Ben replied but there was no warmth in his voice too bad you’ll never get to enjoy it the next few days were a blur of activity we had to transport the treasure from Ben’s Cave to the beach loaded onto the boats we’d salvaged from the wrecked Hispaniola and ferry it out to the makeshift raft we’d constructed to carry it home it was back breaking work made more difficult by the need to guard our prisoners constantly silver and his men watched every move we made looking for any opportunity to escape or cause trouble the hardest part was leaving the three pirates who’d fled during our final confrontation we could hear them sometimes at night calling out from the jungle begging us not to abandon them on the island but Captain Smollett was adamant we couldn’t risk taking them aboard and we didn’t have enough men to guard them properly it’s harsh he admitted but they made their choice when they joined Silver’s mutiny this is the price of piracy we left them supplies weapons ammunition food and medical equipment cached in various locations around the island if they were resourceful enough they might survive until another ship arrived silver himself posed a different problem he was too dangerous to trust but too valuable to simply abandon he knew these waters better than any of us and his sailing skills might be crucial to getting us home safely I’ll make you a deal Captain Silver said as we prepared to leave the island I’ll help you sail this makeshift fleet back to Bristol and in exchange you give me a fair trial instead of a rope around my neck Captain Smollett considered the offer and why should we trust you because I’m a practical man silver replied if this expedition founders I go down with it but if we make it home safe I might have a chance to talk my way out of the hangman’s noose seems like good odds to me in the end practicality won out over justice we needed Silver’s expertise to navigate the treacherous Caribbean waters and he needed us to stay alive it was an uneasy alliance but it was the best we could manage under the circumstances the voyage home took six weeks and it was the most nerve wracking six weeks of my life every day I expected silver to try something a surprise attack an attempt to turn the surviving crew against us or simply an effort to escape with some of the treasure but he played his part perfectly serving as helmsman and navigator with the skill of a master mariner he seemed to have accepted his fate with remarkable Grace even joking with his captors and sharing stories of his adventures in distant seas you know Jim he said to me one evening as we sailed through a spectacular Caribbean sunset in another life we might have been friends you’ve got the makings of a fine sailor in another life I replied you might not have been a murderer and a thief he laughed at that apparently taking no offense true enough lad true enough but I never let my guard down around him there was something in his eyes a calculating gleam that suggested he was still planning something the question was what and when he’d make his move the answer came three days out of Bristol I was on watch in the early morning hours when I heard a splash from the stern of the ship by the time I reached the rail all I could see was a ripple in our wake and one of the small boats missing from its davits silver was gone he’d taken one of the treasure chests with him not the largest one but substantial enough to set him up comfortably wherever he chose to go by my calculation he’d made off with about £10,000 worth of gold and silver should we go after him Doctor Lovesey asked when we discovered his escape Captain Smallett shook his head in what he took the fastest boat and he’s got a full night’s head start besides £10,000 is a small price to pay to be rid of him so long John Silver vanished into legend just as he had appeared suddenly mysteriously and with his pockets full of stolen gold I often wondered what became of him did he make it to some remote Caribbean island where he could live out his days in comfort or did the sea finally claim the old pirate along with his ill gotten gains I suppose I’ll never know we reached Bristol on a crisp autumn morning exactly one year after our adventure had begun the sight of the familiar docks and the sound of English voices was like music to my ears we were home at last richer than we’d ever dreamed possible the treasure was divided according to the agreement we’d made before leaving England Captain Smollett Doctor Levzy Squire Trelawney and Ben Gunn each received substantial portions with smaller shares going to the crew members who’d remained loyal my own share came to about £50,000 more money than I could have earned in a lifetime working at the Admiral Benbow Inn it was enough to set me up for life to travel anywhere I wanted to do anything I pleased but the real treasure wasn’t the gold and silver we brought back from the island it was the experience itself the adventure the danger the test of courage under fire I’d gone to sea as a boy and returned as a man with memories that would last a lifetime Ben Gunn used his share to buy a small farm in the countryside where he lived quietly for the rest of his days he never quite readily adjusted to civilization preferring the company of animals to humans but he seemed content Captain Smollett retired from the sea and bought a house in Devon where he wrote his memoirs and tended a garden Doctor Levzie expanded his medical practice and became one of the most respected physicians in London Squire Trelawney used his treasure to finance other expeditions though none as successful as our voyage to Treasure Island he died peacefully in his bed at the age of 78 surrounded by maps and charts of places he’d never gotten the chance to explore as for me I invested my treasure wisely and used the income to see the world I traveled to India China the South Pacific all the exotic places silver had told me about during those long evenings aboard the Hispaniola but I never went to sea again as a common sailor the memory of Silver’s Mutiny of the blood we’d shed on that cursed island was too strong I’d had my fill of adventure for one lifetime sometimes on quiet evenings I’d take out the old map we’d found in Billy Bones Sea Chest and trace the outline of Treasure Island with my finger I’d remember the feel of tropical sand beneath my feet the sound of waves breaking on a distant shore and the sight of that incredible treasure glittering in Ben Gunn’s Cave and sometimes in my dreams I’d hear Long John Silver’s voice calling to me across the years pieces of eight pieces of eight but when I woke up I was always grateful to be safe in my own bed far from cursed islands and pirate gold some treasures are worth more than money and one of them is the treasure of simply being alive that’s the real lesson of Treasure Island that the greatest adventures are the ones you survive to tell about and that my friends is the tale of Treasure Island one of the greatest adventure stories ever told Young Jim Hawkins went looking for gold and found something far more valuable the knowledge that courage loyalty and quick thinking can overcome even the deadliest enemies the treasure may be long gone spent or lost to time but the legend lives on somewhere in the Caribbean there’s still an island where three desperate pirates were left to face their fate whether they found a way off that cursed place or whether their bones still bleach in the tropical sun no one knows but one thing’s for certain as long as there are young people dreaming of adventure and old salts spinning tales of the sea the story of Treasure Island will never die this has been another great adventure story until next time keep your eyes on the horizon and your hand on your cutlass you never know when adventure might come calling