Chapter 20 · Treasure Island

Copywork

What with the steepness of the incline, the thick tree stumps, and the soft sand, he and his crutch were as helpless as a ship in stays. But he stuck to it like a man in silence, and at last arrived before the captain, whom he saluted in the handsomest style. He was tricked out in his best; an immense blue coat, thick with brass buttons, hung as low as to his knees, and a fine laced hat was set on the back of his head.

The first sentence lists three obstacles, "the steepness of the incline, the thick tree stumps, and the soft sand", before it reaches its comparison, "as helpless as a ship in stays". Why does Jim give the three obstacles first? What does the sailor's picture show that the list alone does not?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the parley in order, from the white flag at the gate to Silver leaving the stockade.

The man waving the white cloth announces “Capn Silver, sir, to come on board and make terms.” Smollett answers, “Capn Silver! Don’t know him. Who’s he?” What is he doing with those words? Tone
When the man with the flag tries to hold him back, Silver laughs, slaps his back and climbs the fence. Is that courage, show, or both? Character
Silver raises his voice so that “all hands in this here block house” will hear his offer. Who is he really talking to? Inference
The captain offers to “clap you all in irons and take you home to a fair trial in England.” Is that a generous offer or a harsh one? Moral reasoning
Jim says watching the two men smoke in silence “was as good as the play.” Why might the author have Jim watch the parley like a show? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you saw two people face each other calmly when both were angry.

Vocabulary

incline: What with the steepness of the incline, the thick tree stumps, and the soft sand, a slope
saluted: at last arrived before the captain, whom he saluted in the handsomest style. greeted with a formal gesture of respect
immense: an immense blue coat, thick with brass buttons, hung as low as to his knees huge
placidly: the other, no less a person than Silver himself, standing placidly by. calmly; without any sign of worry
vapour: they waded knee-deep in a low white vapour mist; a cloud of moisture in the air
treacherous: out of the way of a treacherous shot, should any be intended. betraying trust; sneaking
surmounting: succeeded in surmounting the fence and dropping safely to the other side. getting over the top of
inkling: As for me, I began to have an inkling. a faint idea or suspicion
nettled: He had been growing nettled before, but now he pulled himself together. irritated; stung
imprecations: Growling the foulest imprecations, he crawled along the sand curses

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain how far the captain trusts the flag of truce.
Using two pieces of evidence from Silver’s own words, explain why he has come to the stockade.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Jim’s description of the cold morning adds to the scene.