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Treasure Island
Trailblazers · 4th–6th
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?
Narration Tell what happens at the Spy-glass and on the walk back to the squire.
1. 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
2. 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
3. Silver says neither he nor Jim comes out of it with “credit.” Is that fair to Jim, who cried “stop him!”?Moral reasoning
4. Silver falls on a bench laughing over his forgotten score, and Jim joins in. How would you describe that laughter?Tone
5. 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.
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and I watched the cook narrowly.
I would have gone bail for the innocence of Long John Silver.
I set off, overjoyed at this opportunity to see some more of the ships and seamen,
a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity,
crossed the threshold, and walked right up to the man
One of the others who was nearest the door leaped up and started in pursuit.
and then, relinquishing my hand, Who did you say he was?
I was again obliged to join him in his mirth.
before they should go aboard the schooner on a visit of inspection.
The two gentlemen regretted that Black Dog had got away,
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?