9 The Captain Has Doubts

CHAPTER 9 The Captain Has Doubts We swiftly made our way to the harbor, where the Hispaniola lay beside the other great ships. Then we met the mate, Mr. Arrow, whose earrings and squinty eye made us look twice. Shortly after, we met Captain Smollett, who asked to speak immediately to both the Squire and the doctor in the Squire's cabin. "Well, Captain Smollett," said Mr. Trelawney, "what have you to say?" The Captain scowled and refused to mince

words. He was a plainspoken man. "I don't like the men and I don't like my officer. That's short and sweet." Of the ship he had no complaints, but he went on to relate that he felt the men already knew too much about our quest for treasure. And he didn't think it right that he knew less than they did about our journey. "I don't like treasure voyages and I certainly don't like secret journeys of which even the cook's parrot has been informed. He's blabbed of the treasure already. I think it's a dangerous voyage we are about to take." He complained of many other things, and asked if we were determined to go on with our treasure journey. "Like iron!" answered the Squire. "Well then," replied the Captain, "I suggest we separate the powder from the arms. I also suggest that all of your own men sleep in the

same area beside the cabin. Finally, I suggest there be no more mention of this treasure. The crew already knows the exact location of the island." To this, the Squire protested that he had told no one, and we believed him. But somehow the crew had gotten wind of our journey and our goal—and that was a dangerous bit of news. "I don't know," added the Captain, "who has the map, but I demand that it be kept even from Mr. Arrow or I shall resign." It was clear that the Captain feared a mutiny, and only the doctor's assuring words were able to return him to a calm state. As for Mr. Trelawney, he took offense and scowled at the Captain. "I have heard you and will do as you ask; but I do not think better of you for it." This the Captain shrugged off, and we

were soon out on deck examining our fine ship. I was shown my hammock and the arrangements of powder and weapons—and our sleeping berths were soon changed. Long John Silver and two other men arrived on board shortly after and tried to protest our changes, but the Captain sent them sharply belowdecks. "That's a good man, Captain," said the doctor. But it was clear the Captain was reserving judgment on his entire crew—he even sent me with a sharp word belowdecks to help Long John, saying he would have no favorites on the ship. By then, I guarantee you, I disliked him intensely.