[00:01.41] Chapter 12.
[00:03.05] Council of War.
[00:06.65] There was a great rush of feet across the deck.
[00:10.60] While everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of the island, I slipped out of the apple barrel.
[00:15.94] I joined Hunter and Dr. Livey at the bow of the ship.
[00:21.84] In the moonlight, we could see two low hills, about two miles apart.
[00:29.26] Rising between them was a third higher hill with its top buried in the fog.
[00:38.30] Has anyone of you ever seen that land ahead? asked the captain.
[00:45.41] I have, sir, said Silver.
[00:49.45] That's Skeleton Island.
[00:53.64] We took on water there once when I was ship's cook on a trading ship.
[00:59.92] It were a haunt for pirates once, I'm told.
[01:06.32] That hill, the big one, they calls the spyglass by reason of it being a lookout point.
[01:19.79] I have a chart here, said Captain Smollet.
[01:23.30] Is this the place?
[01:28.79] Long John's eyes burned in his head as he took the map.
[01:34.81] By the newness of the paper, I knew he'd be disappointed.
[01:41.31] It was a copy of the real map with every detail except the three crosses which showed where the treasure was buried.
[01:53.61] Silver managed to hide his annoyance.
[01:59.34] Yes, sir, this is the place and very pritty draw out.
[02:06.88] Who might have done that, I wonder.
[02:11.73] Thank you, my man.
[02:14.11] I may ask your help later to steer us into anchorage, said Captain Smollet.
[02:23.64] I watched all this in a dream, for my head was still full of what I'd heard in the apple barrel.
[02:33.22] Somehow, I had to get a message to Captain Smollet or Dr. Livey without raising suspicion.
[02:45.31] While I was trying to think of a plan, Dr. Livey called me over to fetch his pipe from the cabin.
[02:55.00] I took my chance and whispered, Doctor, get the captain and the squire down to the cabin, then send for me on some errand.
[03:06.61] I have terrible news.
[03:13.91] Thank you, Jim, that's all I wanted to know, he said loudly, as if he'd asked me some question.
[03:24.69] Dr. Livey spoke with the other two, and I could tell they had got my message.
[03:31.39] A short time after, all hands were called on deck.
[03:39.44] Captain Smollet addressed them.
[03:44.18] My lads, this land we cited is the island we have been sailing for.
[03:53.19] Every man on board has done his duty well, and rum will be served to all of you.
[04:00.98] The squire, the doctor and I are going below to drink your health.
[04:09.66] A hearty cheer was raised for Captain Smollet.
[04:15.31] It was so willing that it was hard to believe these men were really plotting to murder us.
[04:25.68] The three gentlemen went below.
[04:30.45] Soon after, I received a message that I was wanted in the cabin.
[04:37.42] The doctor was smoking his pipe and had his wig on his lap, which I knew meant he was worried.
[04:48.15] Now, Hawkins, you have something to tell us.
[04:53.03] Speak up, said the squire.
[04:59.90] I told them the whole tale, with all the details of what Silver and the others had said.
[05:10.18] All three listened in silence until I had finished.
[05:16.87] Jim, said Dr. Livey, take a seat.
[05:22.85] They sat me down at the table and poured me a glass of wine.
[05:27.78] Each of them drank my health and praised me for my luck and courage.
[05:36.62] Now, captain, said the squire.
[05:39.55] I admit you were right and I was wrong.
[05:43.04] I have been a fool.
[05:46.78] No more than I, said the captain.
[05:51.28] If this crew has mutiny in minds, they've kept it hidden well.
[05:57.91] That's Silver, said the doctor, a very remarkable man.
[06:06.54] He'd look remarkably well hanging from a rope, replied the captain.
[06:13.25] But this talk gets us nowhere.
[06:16.62] We must work out a plan of action.
[06:21.20] Firstly, it's too late to turn back, that's clear.
[06:26.21] They would rise against us at once.
[06:29.93] Secondly, we have time on our side, at least until the treasure is found.
[06:38.06] Third point.
[06:40.56] We know some of the crew are honest.
[06:46.23] With the squire's three men and ourselves, that makes seven counting Hawkins.
[06:53.11] We must carry on as if nothing's changed and keep our eyes and ears open.
[07:01.59] Until we know which of the crew are on our side, we cannot come to blows.
[07:12.14] The doctor looked at me.
[07:15.62] Jim here can help us most.
[07:19.76] He can move among the men and he has a sharp pair of ears.
[07:28.02] I nodded, but inside I felt scared and helpless.
[07:34.61] It was plain that our situation was desperate.
[07:40.73] We were seven, and the pirates could count on as many as 19 men.
[07:51.41] We would need more than good luck if we were ever going to see England again.