Student Question
What is Long John Silver's deal and Captain Smollett's response in Treasure Island?
Quick answer:
Long John Silver offers Captain Smollett a deal: if Smollett gives him the treasure map, Silver will ensure Smollett's men can either sail safely with the mutineers until reaching an island or remain on the current island until rescue. Captain Smollett rejects this, proposing instead that the mutineers surrender for a fair trial in England. He warns Silver of a fight to the death if they refuse, highlighting the mutineers' weaknesses.
In chapter 20 of Treasure Island, Long John Silver and one of the mutineers approach the stockade crying, "Flag of truce!" and Captain Smollett allows Silver into the yard of the stockade so he can listen to his "terms." "Cap'n" Silver says that what his men want is the treasure and what Smollett's men want are their lives. He says that if Smollett gives him the treasure map, he will allow them to do one of two things.
He says that he could allow Smollett's men to sail safely with the mutineers until they can find an island to put them off at, or he says that they can remain on the island, stating that he will send a ship to get them as soon as he reaches a place where he can inform someone of their whereabouts. Whichever choice Smollett prefers, Silver declares he will give his "affy-davy" (affidavit) that Smollett's people will not be harmed by the mutineers.
Smollett is not impressed with Silver's offer. He makes a counter-proposal. He says that if the mutineers come to him one by one, he will put them in chains and bring them safely back to England, where they will receive a fair trial. He says that if they don't agree to that, "I'll see you all to Davy Jones." In other words, he'll fight until they have all been killed.
He points out that Silver's group is in a bind. They can't find the treasure on their own, and they can't sail the ship on their own. He also points out that the mutineers are sorry fighters. He then tells Silver to leave, warning, "I'll put a bullet in your back when next I meet you." As a further insult, he won't help Silver to his feet; the man must crawl to the fence in order to pull himself up on his one leg. This bold response from Captain Smollett sets up the attack on the stockade by the mutineers.
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