Treasure Island eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 257 pages of information about Treasure Island.

Treasure Island eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 257 pages of information about Treasure Island.

“Doctor,” said I, “I passed my word.”

“I know, I know,” he cried.  “We can’t help that, Jim, now.  I’ll take it on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you.  Jump!  One jump, and you’re out, and we’ll run for it like antelopes.”

“No,” I replied; “you know right well you wouldn’t do the thing yourself—­neither you nor squire nor captain; and no more will I. Silver trusted me; I passed my word, and back I go.  But, doctor, you did not let me finish.  If they come to torture me, I might let slip a word of where the ship is, for I got the ship, part by luck and part by risking, and she lies in North Inlet, on the southern beach, and just below high water.  At half tide she must be high and dry.”

“The ship!” exclaimed the doctor.

Rapidly I described to him my adventures, and he heard me out in silence.

“There is a kind of fate in this,” he observed when I had done.  “Every step, it’s you that saves our lives; and do you suppose by any chance that we are going to let you lose yours?  That would be a poor return, my boy.  You found out the plot; you found Ben Gunn—­the best deed that ever you did, or will do, though you live to ninety.  Oh, by Jupiter, and talking of Ben Gunn!  Why, this is the mischief in person.  Silver!” he cried.  “Silver!  I’ll give you a piece of advice,” he continued as the cook drew near again; “don’t you be in any great hurry after that treasure.”

“Why, sir, I do my possible, which that ain’t,” said Silver.  “I can only, asking your pardon, save my life and the boy’s by seeking for that treasure; and you may lay to that.”

“Well, Silver,” replied the doctor, “if that is so, I’ll go one step further:  look out for squalls when you find it.”

“Sir,” said Silver, “as between man and man, that’s too much and too little.  What you’re after, why you left the block house, why you given me that there chart, I don’t know, now, do I?  And yet I done your bidding with my eyes shut and never a word of hope!  But no, this here’s too much.  If you won’t tell me what you mean plain out, just say so and I’ll leave the helm.”

“No,” said the doctor musingly; “I’ve no right to say more; it’s not my secret, you see, Silver, or, I give you my word, I’d tell it you.  But I’ll go as far with you as I dare go, and a step beyond, for I’ll have my wig sorted by the captain or I’m mistaken!  And first, I’ll give you a bit of hope; Silver, if we both get alive out of this wolf-trap, I’ll do my best to save you, short of perjury.”

Silver’s face was radiant.  “You couldn’t say more, I’m sure, sir, not if you was my mother,” he cried.

“Well, that’s my first concession,” added the doctor.  “My second is a piece of advice:  keep the boy close beside you, and when you need help, halloo.  I’m off to seek it for you, and that itself will show you if I speak at random.  Good-bye, Jim.”

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Project Gutenberg
Treasure Island from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.