Chapter 11 of Treasure Island plunges Jim Hawkins into the heart of peril, where one wrong move could cost him his life.

Hidden inside the apple barrel, Jim’s worst fears are confirmed: Long John Silver, the man he once admired, is orchestrating a mutiny aboard the Hispaniola.

Surrounded by pirates, their voices thick with greed and treachery, Jim listens in frozen terror as they plot to overthrow the ship’s leadership and seize the treasure for themselves.

Just as Jim is grappling with the weight of this revelation, Silver’s casual words nearly send him over the edge: “Dick, you just jump up like a sweet lad, and get me an apple, to wet my pipe like.”

Jim’s heart pounds as he hears Dick rising to fetch the apple—right from the very barrel where he is hiding. The boy is paralyzed, his limbs too weak to act, his mind racing with dread.

“You may fancy the terror I was in! I should have leaped out and run for it, if I had found the strength.”

But Silver’s charisma is as dangerous as his cunning. As Jim listens, the cook weaves a web of persuasion, recounting his triumphs as a pirate and luring the men with promises of untold wealth. His words inflame the crew’s greed, solidifying their allegiance to his cause.

The tension tightens as Silver’s request for an apple brings Jim closer to discovery than ever before. But just as the pirates are about to uncover him, a sudden distraction shifts their attention, granting Jim a narrow escape from certain death.

With the truth of Silver’s betrayal burning in his mind, Jim must decide how to act. Can he warn the others in time, or will the pirates’ mutiny succeed? This chapter is a pulse-pounding moment of danger, setting the stage for a clash that could determine the fate of everyone aboard. The storm is coming, and Jim holds the key to survival—but will he make it out alive?

APPLE PEELING COMPETITION

“In I got bodily into the apple barrel, and found there was scarce an apple left; but sitting down there in the dark, what with the sound of the waters and the rocking movement of the ship, I had either fallen asleep, or was on the point of doing so, when a heavy man sat down with rather a clash close by…”

Let’s see how long you can continuously peel an apple without separating the skin. It’s an apple peeling competition with friends.

TERMS TO KNOW

Dead lights – refers to closed-off or covered portholes on a ship, particularly during storms. Silver uses it to refer to Pew’s eyes.

“Sun-dried like the rest” – how the pirates look weathered, hardened, and leathery from long exposure to the sun.

Flower of the flock – the finest, most prized member of a group.

Shiver my timbers – conveys shock, surprise, or emphasis, similar to “well, I’ll be!” or “blow me down!” Originates from when a strong wave could “shiver” the wooden timbers of a ship.

Quartermaster – a key member of a ship’s crew responsible for steering the vessel, maintaining the ship’s navigation equipment, and overseeing various aspects of its day-to-day operations.

Gentleman of fortune – a euphemistic term for a pirate. Pirates used it to refer to themselves as though they were adventurers or entrepreneurs rather than criminals.

Bumboat – a small boat that supplies provisions to larger ships anchored in a harbor, such as food, water, and other necessities. Historically, bumboats served as floating shops for sailors.

“Sons of double Dutchmen” – a phrase used to emphasize frustration or anger, with “double Dutchmen” serving as a playful, exaggerated insult. It likely stems from the historical rivalry and frequent conflicts between the English and the Dutch.

“By the powers” – a mild oath or exclamation, similar to saying “by God” or “by heavens,” without invoking religious language.

“We’re all foc’s’le hands” – saying that everyone involved is part of the crew, specifically the lower-ranking crew who work and live on the forecastle (or “foc’s’le” in sailor slang). The forecastle is the forward part of the ship where seamen typically bunk and gather.

Execution dock – a historic site on the River Thames in London where, for over 400 years, convicted pirates were executed.

A kind of chapling – implies that the person has a pastoral or moral role, similar to a chaplain, but without being official.

“Dead men don’t bite” – a practical way of saying that once someone is dead, they no longer pose a threat.

“Don’t you get sucking of that bilge” – a warning to avoid something foul. Bilge refers to the lowest part of a ship’s hull, where dirty, stagnant water—known as bilge water—collects.

Pannikin – a small metal cup or mug commonly used by sailors.

“Land ho” – used by sailors to announce the sighting of land. It’s typically shouted by a lookout in the crow’s nest.