Chapter 29 · Treasure Island

Copywork

But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. They leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse. It went from hand to hand, one tearing it from another; and by the oaths and the cries and the childish laughter with which they accompanied their examination, you would have thought, not only they were fingering the very gold, but were at sea with it, besides, in safety.

The chart is "inexplicable" to Jim and "incredible" to the mutineers. What is the difference between those two words, and why does the passage say the men behaved as if they were already "at sea with it, besides, in safety"?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the night in order, from the emissary asking for the torch to the men lying down to sleep.

The crew sends a man forward to hand Silver the black spot, and Silver says, “I know the rules, I do; I won’t hurt a depytation.” Why do these rough men keep such careful rules? Theme
George lists four charges against Silver. Silver answers the first by turning it around: “Who crossed me?” Why does that work on the crew? Inference
When Silver throws down the chart, the men shout, “Barbecue for capn!” What do they want from him? Character
Silver tosses Jim the cut-out page of the black spot as a keepsake to look at. Why might he give it to a boy prisoner? Inference
The piece of paper holds a verse with “Without are dogs and murderers.” Why might the author let Jim read those words? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you saw someone win back a group that had turned against them.

Vocabulary

inexplicable: But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. impossible to explain
incredible: But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. too surprising to be believed
emissary: Silver briefly agreed, and this emissary retired again, leaving us together in the dark. a person sent with a message
conspirators: I understood why these conspirators desired a torch. people plotting together in secret
incongruous: was still wondering how anything so incongruous had come in their possession out of place; not fitting together
dignity: it seemed beneath my dignity that they should find me watching them. self-respect; a sense of one's worth
contemptuously: I thought you said you knowed the rules, returned Silver contemptuously. with scorn
curiosity: I have that curiosity beside me at this moment, a strange or rare object kept for interest
environed: to think on the dark perils that environed and the shameful gibbet that awaited him. surrounded
gibbet: to think on the dark perils that environed and the shameful gibbet that awaited him. a gallows where criminals were hanged

Critical thinking

Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the pirates hand Silver the black spot and what the way they do it shows.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Silver answers the charge that he let the enemy out of the trap for nothing.
Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Silver keeps control of the crew through the whole council.