Chapter 33

Treasure Island

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

Each of these six men was as though he had been struck. But with Silver the blow passed almost instantly. Every thought of his soul had been set full-stretch, like a racer, on that money; well, he was brought up, in a single second, dead; and he kept his head, found his temper, and changed his plan before the others had had time to realize the disappointment.

The passage says six men were "as though he had been struck", but Silver "kept his head, found his temper, and changed his plan" in a second. What does "found his temper" mean here, and why does the sentence compare his hope to "a racer"?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens from the empty pit to the supper in the cave.

1. Jim whispers, “So you’ve changed sides again.” Silver has just handed him a pistol. What might Silver say if he had time to answer?Character

2. Silver tells the crew they will find “pig-nuts” in the pit, and he stands very upright on his crutch. What is he doing?Tone

3. After the shots, Silver says to the dying Merry, “I reckon I settled you.” What does that line tell us about him?Moral reasoning

4. The squire says to Silver, “I dare you to thank me!” The captain says only “Ah!” What might each reply show about the man who gave it?Character

5. The chapter ends on Silver at supper: “bland, polite, obsequious.” Why might the author end on him sitting back in the shadow?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone who had done wrong came back to a group and was treated in different ways by different people.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1				2	3
		4
5	6


			7
			8




			9

Across

Across 1. self-control; composure
Across 5. the letdown of a hope that fails
Across 8. matched
Across 9. warm and friendly

Down

Down 2. a small spinning top
Down 3. hidden in wait to attack
Down 4. sent off quickly
Down 5. smashed to pieces
Down 6. deeply
Down 7. shameful neglect of a duty

The words in the chapter

temper he kept his head, found his temper, and changed his plan
disappointment before the others had had time to realize the disappointment.
teetotum the man with the bandage spun round like a teetotum and fell all his length upon his side,
equalled was work no sound man ever equalled; and so thinks the doctor.
profoundly It was a story that profoundly interested Silver; and Ben Gunn, the half-idiot maroon, was the hero from beginning to end.

dispatched Ben Gunn, being fleet of foot, had been dispatched in front to do his best alone.
ambushed Gray and the doctor had come up and were already ambushed before the arrival of the treasure-hunters.
demolished The doctor, with the pick-axe, demolished one of them, and then we all got aboard the other and set out to go round by sea for North Inlet.
cordial To me he was cordial and kind, saying nothing of my escapade either in the way of blame or praise.
dereliction It is a gross dereliction of my duty.

Critical thinking

1. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Ben Gunn's part in the story of the treasure has been.

2. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why the doctor gave Silver the chart and the stores.

3. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the narrator feels about the treasure when he sees it.