Chapter 18 · Treasure Island

Copywork

Poor old fellow, he had not uttered one word of surprise, complaint, fear, or even acquiescence from the very beginning of our troubles till now, when we had laid him down in the log-house to die. He had lain like a Trojan behind his mattress in the gallery; he had followed every order silently, doggedly, and well; he was the oldest of our party by a score of years; and now, sullen, old, serviceable servant, it was he that was to die.

The doctor calls Redruth "sullen, old, serviceable servant" in the same breath as "like a Trojan". What do those two descriptions each honour, and why does the sentence save "it was he that was to die" for the very end?

Discussion

Narration Tell back in order what happens from the run through the wood to Jim climbing over the stockade.

When the squire asks Tom to say he forgives him, Tom answers, “Would that be respectful like, from me to you, squire?” What might he mean by that? Inference
Tom asks, “Be I going, doctor?” and the doctor answers, “you’re going home.” Was that the right thing to say to a dying man? Moral reasoning
The captain tells the squire, “Don’t you take on, sir.” What kind of comfort is that, and does it suit the squire? Character
The captain pulls the doctor aside to talk about rations and “that extra mouth.” Why might he do it privately, away from the squire? Inference
The captain's log lists Tom as “owners servant, landsman, shot by the mutineers.” What does it do to a death to write it down this way? Tone

Make a Connection Tell about a sad moment you know of, in a story or in life, and what the different people there did.

Vocabulary

acquiescence: he had not uttered one word of surprise, complaint, fear, or even acquiescence quiet acceptance without protest
doggedly: he had followed every order silently, doggedly, and well with stubborn persistence
serviceable: and now, sullen, old, serviceable servant, it was he that was to die. useful; fit for service
priming: I began to see we should have a brush for it in earnest and looked to my priming. the powder that sets off a gun's charge
molestation: we were suffered without further molestation to get the poor old gamekeeper hoisted over the stockade interference or attack
colours: Then, climbing on the roof, he had with his own hand bent and run up the colours. a ship's or nation's flag
Providence: making a large allowance, sir, for all the gifts of Providence the care of God over events
cannonade: it was good policy besides and showed our enemies that we despised their cannonade. a continued firing of cannon
ricochet: We had no ricochet to fear the bounce of a shot off a surface
magazine: every man of them was now provided with a musket from some secret magazine of their own. a store of weapons and ammunition

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain what the doctor’s words about Tom Redruth show about what Tom was worth to the party.
The squire wants to take in the flag, and the captain says, “Strike my colours!” Using two pieces of evidence, explain why the captain will not.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether the party ends the chapter in a stronger or a weaker position than it began.