23 On Parole

CHAPTER 23 On Parole We were all wakened by the doctor's arrival and, I admit, I was ashamed to look him in the face. When he came, Silver was bright and merry with him. "Hallo Doctor! Top o' the morning to you, sir!" he cried. "Your patients are all doing well. Come and see." He carried on like this as the doctor came up the hill. "And we have a small surprise of a little

stranger in our camp!" With this, the doctor stopped. "Not Jim!" "Why, of course!" said Silver. With this, the doctor looked shocked but insisted on examining his patients before turning his attention to me. "I consider it my duty, as mutineers' doctor, to keep you all healthy enough to hang when we return to England." After he had attended to the various ills of the pirates, he asked to speak to me alone. Again, the men protested and Silver turned on them. "Silence!" he roared, like a lion. They all cowered before him. "Now, Doctor, we're all grateful for your help with our ills. Hawkins, will you give your word that you won't run away?" This I did. Silver then asked the doctor to

walk away down the hill and he would walk me out. Once the doctor was gone, the men turned to barking and yelling until Silver quieted them down. "Do you want me to break our truce on the very day we go to look for the treasure? You fools! Dolts! We'll break it when it's our time." And with this, he walked me out the door, where we made our way toward the doctor. Once there, his face changed entirely. "Now, Doctor, I have saved this boy's life and I am now only here to save mine. I can only hope you'll assist us in both cases." "Why, John," said the doctor, "you're not afraid?" John admitted that he was and said he was bound to hang. But he hoped that the doctor would remember he had done some good in saving me.

With that, Silver left me with the doctor, who first scolded me until he heard my incredible story. "You've found the ship?" he asked. "Why, it's been you all along who's been saving us, Jim." And with that, he tried to encourage me to break my word and come with him. But I wouldn't do it. I had given an oath. And so, he turned his attention to Silver. "A word of advice: don't try to find that treasure." "I have to," answered Silver, "or they will kill me themselves." "Well," said the doctor, "then I warn you to beware of high winds at sea—those squalls can be deadly. And when we return, if we get out of this adventure alive, I pledge to do everything I can to save you." With that, Silver beamed with joy and thanks. The doctor then shook my hand and

took his leave of us at a brisk pace.