20 Pieces of Eight

CHAPTER 20 Pieces of Eight Hands sank into the water and I watched as a bubble of blood came up to the surface. I soon began to feel sick. I could not pry myself loose of my dagger and was terrified of falling from my spot to die alongside Israel. I then shuddered and by doing so tore the blade loose and was free. It turned out I was only pinned by the tiniest piece of my shoulder and mostly by my shirt. I crawled down the mast and then, looking around, decided to throw the other dead man

into the sea. This I did in a hurry. I tried to set the ship as right as I could so that it would not be hurt and then decided to take my leave. I leapt off the deck of the Hispaniola and, in a happy frame of mind, headed for the forest. I thought about the hero's welcome I could expect and about the way I would be treated upon my return. I had been a fool, but my prize was the return of our ship, and I thought myself brave and lucky. I walked on and then, as dusk fell, I walked closer and closer to where I had first met poor Ben, our island man. As the night got darker, I grew ever less sure of myself and kept tripping and rolling in sandy pits. Soon enough, I found myself walking in moonlight—this helped but I still walked warily. I did not want to end my adventure by having my own party shoot me. Finally, as

I came to the stockade, I saw the giant, smoldering remains of a fire. I wondered why there had been such a big fire. It went against the Captain's orders, to be sure. I saw the blockhouse in shadow and not a soul stirring. I thought perhaps something had gone wrong while I had been away, so I began to creep on my hands and knees. As I got closer there was little doubt they had kept a bad watch. I got to the door and stood up. I could see nothing with my eye. Then, as I walked in, I smiled to think I might lie down in my place and surprise them in the morning. Doing so, I heard a shrill cry that chilled my heart. "Pieces of eight, pieces of eight!" the voice repeated. It was Silver's parrot, Captain Flint! He was the watch, and had found me out. I turned and heard Silver's familiar voice— "Who goes?"

I turned, only to run into one body, then into another. "Bring us some light, Dick," said Silver, when I was captured. A man left and soon returned with a flaming torch.