Chapter 28 · Treasure Island

Copywork

Silver leant back against the wall, his arms crossed, his pipe in the corner of his mouth, as calm as though he had been in church; yet his eye kept wandering furtively, and he kept the tail of it on his unruly followers. They, on their part, drew gradually together towards the far end of the block house, and the low hiss of their whispering sounded in my ear continuously, like a stream.

Read the two sentences aloud. The first lists Silver's arms, his pipe and his calm, and then turns on "yet". What comes before the word and what comes after it? What does the second sentence say the men are doing?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in the block house, from the torch being lit to Silver's last swallow of brandy.

Silver says, “no one’s a-pressing of you,” while Jim feels “the threat of death.” How can friendly words carry a threat? Tone
Silver says the doctor called Jim an “ungrateful scamp.” Jim half believes it, yet is “more relieved than distressed.” Why? Inference
Jim tells the pirates it was he who heard them in the apple barrel, cut the cable and killed the men aboard. Why would a boy in his place say all that? Character
Silver says, “Take a cutlass, him that dares,” and not a man stirs. What holds the crew back: fear of Silver, habit, or something else? Theme
Silver roars at his crew, then drops to “a steady whisper” once they leave. Why might the author let us hear both voices? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you heard someone speak one way to a crowd and another way to you alone.

Vocabulary

furtively: yet his eye kept wandering furtively, and he kept the tail of it on his unruly followers. secretly; slyly
unruly: yet his eye kept wandering furtively, and he kept the tail of it on his unruly followers. hard to control
apprehensions: showed me the worst of my apprehensions realized. fears of what may come
composure: Silver took a whiff or two of his pipe with great composure calm self-control
gracious: And then, in his first gracious tones, he replied to me, kindly and courteous
hazing: I stood hazing long enough from one, added another. bullying; harassing
elaborate: And with an elaborate sea-salute, this fellow, worked out in great detail
acknowledging: I ax your pardon, sir, acknowledging you for to be capting at this present; admitting; recognising
cannikin: He drew some cognac from the cask into a tin cannikin. a small metal drinking cup
unaffected: My face expressed a wonder so unaffected that he saw the needlessness of further questions. genuine; not put on

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Jim learns from the torchlight about the pirates' position.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jim shows both courage and fear before he makes his long speech.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Silver tries to work out why the doctor gave him the chart.