Chapter 8 · Treasure Island

Copywork

My suspicions had been thoroughly reawakened on finding Black Dog at the Spy-glass, and I watched the cook narrowly. But he was too deep, and too ready, and too clever for me, and by the time the two men had come back out of breath and confessed that they had lost the track in a crowd, and been scolded like thieves, I would have gone bail for the innocence of Long John Silver.

Read the passage aloud. The second sentence keeps adding clauses, "too deep, and too ready, and too clever for me", and does not stop until it lands on "innocence". Where does your voice want to pause in it, and what does the last word sound like after so long a run?

Discussion

Narration Tell what happens at the Spy-glass and on the walk back to the squire.

Jim decides that “one look” at Silver is enough to rule out a buccaneer. What test is he using, and is it a good one? Inference
Silver whispers to Jim that Morgan is “quite an honest man” but “ony stupid.” Why might he say it to Jim, and not aloud? Character
Silver says neither he nor Jim comes out of it with “credit.” Is that fair to Jim, who cried “stop him!”? Moral reasoning
Silver falls on a bench laughing over his forgotten score, and Jim joins in. How would you describe that laughter? Tone
Jim says he “would have gone bail for the innocence of Long John Silver.” Why might Stevenson have him say it so strongly? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you felt sure about someone on first meeting.

Vocabulary

narrowly: and I watched the cook narrowly. closely and carefully
bail: I would have gone bail for the innocence of Long John Silver. with gone, pledged oneself as guarantee for someone
overjoyed: I set off, overjoyed at this opportunity to see some more of the ships and seamen, extremely happy
dexterity: a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity, skill and quickness in movement
threshold: crossed the threshold, and walked right up to the man the doorway; the entrance
pursuit: One of the others who was nearest the door leaped up and started in pursuit. the act of chasing
relinquishing: and then, relinquishing my hand, Who did you say he was? letting go of
mirth: I was again obliged to join him in his mirth. laughter and merriment
inspection: before they should go aboard the schooner on a visit of inspection. a careful looking-over
regretted: The two gentlemen regretted that Black Dog had got away, felt sorry about

Critical thinking

Silver seems to “give something almost like a start” when he sees the squire's letter. Using two pieces of evidence, what might that start mean?
Silver first cares only that Black Dog has not paid, then cries “In my house!” on hearing he was a buccaneer. Using two pieces of evidence, what does Silver mind most?
Dr. Livesey doubts the squire's discoveries “as a general thing,” yet says “John Silver suits me.” Using two pieces of evidence, what might have suited him?