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Chapter 9

Treasure Island

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

Sir, said Captain Smollett, with no intention to take offence, I deny your right to put words into my mouth. No captain, sir, would be justified in going to sea at all if he had ground enough to say that. As for Mr. Arrow, I believe him thoroughly honest; some of the men are the same; all may be for what I know.

The doctor has offered the captain a word, and the captain answers "I deny your right to put words into my mouth". Read his last sentence aloud: it goes from "Mr. Arrow" to "some of the men" to "all". What does "all may be for what I know" add to the two clauses before it?

Discussion

Narration Tell what happens from the boarding of the Hispaniola to the moment the captain sends Jim off to the cook.

1. Read the captain's three “I don't like” lines aloud. What tone do you give them: rude, blunt, worried, or something else?Tone

2. The captain says he came in meaning “to get discharged,” yet he asks for changes and says he will do his duty. Which did he want more: to leave, or to stay?Character

3. The squire swears he told no one the island's position, and Jim believes him. Does it matter who let it out, or only that it is out?Moral reasoning

4. The captain says a mate should “keep himself to himself.” Is being friendly with the crew a fault in an officer?Theme

5. Why might Stevenson end the chapter on Jim hating the captain, rather than on the doctor's “we shall see”?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone spoke plainly to you and you were not sure whether to thank them or be angry.

Vocabulary

Crossword
123
4
5
67
89
10
Across
  • Across 1. a purpose; what one means to do
  • Across 2. released from a post or job
  • Across 5. not done on purpose
  • Across 9. thoroughly refitted and repaired
  • Across 10. a fraud; a person who is all show
Down
  • Down 3. an insult given by neglect
  • Down 4. unbearable
  • Down 6. having good reason; shown to be right
  • Down 7. fit to sail safely
  • Down 8. steps taken beforehand to avoid danger
The words in the chapter
  • intention with no intention to take offence,
  • justified would be justified in going to sea at all
  • seaworthy All well, I hope; all shipshape and seaworthy?
  • slight but the slight, if there be one, was unintentional.
  • unintentional was unintentional.
  • precautions take certain precautions or let me resign my berth.
  • discharged I meant to get discharged.
  • intolerable but as for that intolerable humbug,
  • humbug that intolerable humbug,
  • overhauled The whole schooner had been overhauled;

Critical thinking

1. The doctor says the captain fears a mutiny, and he answers, “I deny your right to put words into my mouth.” Using two pieces of evidence, is that answer honest or evasive?

2. The squire says, “I will do as you desire, but I think the worse of you.” Using two pieces of evidence, is the squire fair to the captain?

3. Silver comes aboard and asks about the powder, then goes below at once when told. Using two pieces of evidence, what does that suggest about him?