12 The Man of the Island

CHAPTER 12 The Man of the Island I was thrilled to have given Silver the slip and began to enjoy exploring the island. It was full of strange things to see—enough to excite the imagination and curiosity of any boy my age. I wish I could remember all of them, but my young mind was overwhelmed at the time with all the vivid new colors and sights. I could have spent a month just taking in all the strange plants and trees I came upon. I had marched across some marshy tract of land full of swaying willows and bulrushes (which I had read about in the

Bible) and odd-shaped trees that rose up out of the swamp. Then there was some wave like, sandy country that went on for about a mile. There you could see pines and twisted- looking trees that resembled oak, except for their purplish tinge. In the distance I could see one of the hills with its craggy peak shining brightly beneath the harsh sun. Now I really began to feel like I was an explorer—I felt free and full of joy, forgetting for a time the many dangers I was facing. The island was truly uninhabited. My shipmates were left behind, and before me nothing lived but unfamiliar birds and other creatures that went running or flying for cover as soon as I approached. There were tortoises with backs so large they looked like bathing tubs, and magical flowering plants of a size and shape you only come upon in dreams. Suddenly I heard a rustle among the bulrushes—a wild duck flew up with a

quack, then another followed, and then another. Soon, along the whole surface of the marsh, a great cloud of birds hung screaming and circling in the air. I knew my shipmates must be coming up close, so I ran quickly and crouched behind the nearest tree not far from the swamp, and waited, silent as a mouse. I heard voices and among them one I knew to be Silver's. I overcame my fear and crawled closer to catch the meaning of their words. "You're more valuable than gold to me. That's why I'm warning you now. You can't change the plan, you can only save yourself by joining in. Come on now, Tom, tell me what they would do to me if they knew I was telling you all this now?" "Silver," said Tom, "you may have let yourself be led away, but not me. I'd sooner lose my hand than turn against...."

Suddenly, we all heard a cry of anger and then, a terrible, drawn-out scream. The noise echoed across the crags of the Spyglass and the birds rose again in a rush. I knew it was a death cry, and Tom jumped to his feet. "What was that?" he asked. "That," answered Silver, "that'll be Alan." "Alan!" cried out Tom, "well then, rest his soul. And as for you, Long John Silver, you're no mate of mine. I may die, but if I do, it will be for duty's sake. You've killed Alan, have you? Well, I defy you to kill me!" And with that, Tom started running away. But Silver, full of new strength, steadied himself, leaned back, and aimed his crutch. Its point drove at the center of Tom's back and he fell with a cry. I had no time to tell if this had hurt him badly. Silver was soon on him and, with his knife out, had driven two quick stabs into him to end his life.

I heard Silver panting. I felt faint, but managed not to pass out as I watched him wipe the blood from his knife. The whole scene was playing over in my mind. Silver then pulled a whistle from his pocket and blew it twice. I knew that the other men would be coming quickly now and, if they had killed those two honest men, would they not kill me? I began to crawl back and, as I did so, I heard a chorus of voices ring out. I turned, racing through the thicket until I ran only on fear. I needed to return to the ship with the men, but how could I? As I thought it through again, I knew they would wring my neck if I tried. I said my silent good-byes to the Hispaniola, to the doctor, and to the Squire and Captain. I knew there remained for me only death by starvation or at the hands of the mutineers. Yet I continued to make speed through the trees, until I was at the foot of a little hill.

There, my heart thumping, a fresh alarm brought me to a standstill.