Chapter 26 · Treasure Island

Copywork

Seeing that I meant to dodge, he also paused; and a moment or two passed in feints on his part and corresponding movements upon mine. It was such a game as I had often played at home about the rocks of Black Hill Cove, but never before, you may be sure, with such a wildly beating heart as now.

Jim calls the dodging "such a game as I had often played at home", with "feints" on one side and "corresponding movements" on the other. What does calling it a game do for Jim in that moment, and what does the phrase "wildly beating heart" admit that the word game does not?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens from Hands's request for wine to the moment he plunges into the water.

Hands sends Jim below for wine, and Jim answers, “Will you have white or red?” Why does Jim play along? Inference
Hands asks if a dead man stays dead, and Jim answers, “You can kill the body, Mr. Hands, but not the spirit.” Why might Hands ask, and why does Jim answer so? Character
Jim tells Hands to “go to my prayers like a Christian man,” and Hands answers, “I never seen good come o goodness yet.” Who sounds more convincing to you, and why? Theme
Jim drops the tiller and leaps sideways, and later scrambles up the mizzen shrouds. Was it skill, instinct, or luck that kept him alive? Moral reasoning
Jim says he was “as conceited as a cock upon a wall” when the dirk comes. Why might the author have Jim tell us that about himself? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone you trusted turned out to be hiding something, in a story or in life.

Vocabulary

feints: a moment or two passed in feints on his part and corresponding movements upon mine. pretended attacks meant to mislead
corresponding: a moment or two passed in feints on his part and corresponding movements upon mine. matching; answering to
pretext: The whole story was a pretext. a false reason given to hide the real one
stranded: We both desired to have her stranded safe enough, in a sheltered place, run aground on the shore
solemnity: spoke with the most unusual solemnity. grave seriousness
subaltern: I think I was a good, prompt subaltern, a junior who carries out orders
dilapidation: we saw the wreck of a ship in the last stages of dilapidation. falling into ruin
estuary: more like, what in truth it was, the estuary of a river. the wide mouth of a river where it meets the sea
disquietude: a sudden disquietude seized upon me and made me turn my head. uneasiness
perplexity: his face still wearing the same expression of extreme perplexity. confusion; puzzlement

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jim learns that Hands means to hurt him.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain why Jim thinks Hands will not attack him until the ship is beached.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jim keeps himself alive on the deck after the ship grounds.