Chapter 12 · Treasure Island

Copywork

The doctor changed countenance a little, but next moment he was master of himself. Thank you, Jim, said he quite loudly, that was all I wanted to know, as if he had asked me a question. And with that he turned on his heel and rejoined the other two.

Read the passage aloud. The first sentence says the doctor "changed countenance a little" and was "master of himself" in the next moment. Which of the three sentences is the longest, which is the shortest, and what does the short last sentence do to the scene?

Discussion

Narration Tell what happens from the first sight of the island to the end of the council in the cabin.

Silver's eyes “burned in his head” when he took the chart. Why might he then say it was “very prettily drawed out”? Inference
On deck Silver tells Jim it is “a sweet spot for a lad to get ashore on.” Why might he be so warm to Jim just then? Character
Read the captain's speech to the crew aloud. How does he sound: hearty, careful, or something else? Tone
The squire says “I own myself an ass”; the captain says “No more an ass than I, sir.” Which of them had more reason to see this coming? Moral reasoning
Stevenson ends the chapter on Jim counting “six to their nineteen.” Why might he leave us on a number? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you held back something important until the right moment.

Vocabulary

countenance: The doctor changed countenance a little, but next moment he was master of himself. the face and its expression
rejoined: And with that he turned on his heel and rejoined the other two. went back to join
congregated: There all hands were already congregated. gathered together
conical: All three seemed sharp and conical in figure. cone-shaped
avowed: I was surprised at the coolness with which John avowed his knowledge of the island, and I own I was half-frightened when I saw him drawing nearer to myself. openly admitted
duplicity: He did not know, to be sure, that I had overheard his council from the apple barrel, and yet I had by this time taken such a horror of his cruelty, duplicity, and power that I could scarce conceal a shudder when he laid his hand upon my arm. double-dealing; deceit
conceal: He did not know, to be sure, that I had overheard his council from the apple barrel, and yet I had by this time taken such a horror of his cruelty, duplicity, and power that I could scarce conceal a shudder when he laid his hand upon my arm. hide
pretence: Get the captain and squire down to the cabin, and then make some pretence to send for me. a false show; an excuse
agitated: I found them all three seated round the table, a bottle of Spanish wine and some raisins before them, and the doctor smoking away, with his wig on his lap, and that, I knew, was a sign that he was agitated. upset; stirred up
prodigious: Hawkins, I put prodigious faith in you, added the squire. enormous; astonishing in size

Critical thinking

The doctor “changed countenance a little” when Jim spoke. Using two pieces of evidence, what do his face and his wig tell us about how he took the news?
After Jim's report the three gentlemen drink his health, and then ask for his help. Using two pieces of evidence, how do they see him?
Silver calls for “one more cheer for Capn Smollett.” Using two pieces of evidence, what does that cheer show about Silver?