Chapter 14 of Treasure Island plunges Jim Hawkins into a harrowing confrontation with the brutal reality of piracy.

Alone on the island, Jim explores the lush and untamed terrain, where every sound—from rustling leaves to startled birds—heightens his sense of danger.

But his solitude is shattered when he stumbles upon a tense exchange between Long John Silver and a sailor named Tom.

Hidden from view, Jim listens in terror as Silver tries to sway Tom to join the mutiny. Silver’s charm, so often irresistible, fails this time: “Silver, you’re old, and you’re honest… And will you tell me you’ll let yourself be led away with that kind of a mess of swabs?”

Tom’s defiance sparks a chilling turn of events. A distant scream rings through the air—Silver admits it was Alan’s death cry, a warning to all who oppose him. Undeterred, Tom refuses to bend:

“If I die like a dog, I’ll die in my dooty. You’ve killed Alan, have you? Kill me too, if you can…”

What happens next shatters any illusion Jim might have had about Long John Silver’s affable nature.

Before Jim’s horrified eyes, Silver commits an unthinkable act, turning from a trusted leader into a cold-blooded murderer. The boy’s heart pounds as he realizes just how deadly the mutineers are—and how close he is to being discovered.

Terrified, Jim crawls away and bolts through the dense foliage, running for his life. The island, once a symbol of adventure, has become a battleground where trust and safety are nowhere to be found.

Can Jim survive the merciless pirates hunting him, or has he already witnessed too much? Chapter 14 sets the stage for a deadly game of survival where every step is fraught with peril.

GROW A WATER PLANT IN A TERRARIUM

“I had crossed a marshy tract full of willows, bulrushes, and odd, outlandish swampy trees…”

Treasure Island is filled with interesting and strange-looking plants growing out of the wetlands of the habitat. In the spirit of this beloved book, we’re going to grow our own water plant on the islands of our own windowsills. Just add water.

TERMS TO KNOW

Bulrushes – tall, rush-like plants that grow in wetlands and marshy areas, often near bodies of water, in temperate regions.

Dumb brutes and fowls – “brutes” refers to wild, untamed animals, while “fowls” generally refers to birds.

Borders of the fen – a “fen” is a type of wetland with nutrient-rich, waterlogged soil. The “borders of the fen” is the transition area between solid ground and the marshy, boggy terrain.

Hearkening – listen attentively or pay close attention.

Desperadoes – reckless, dangerous, or violent individuals —especially those who are involved in criminal activities.

Aperture – an opening, gap, or hole in something.

“Took to you like pitch” – pitch is the sticky, tar-like substance used in shipbuilding and repairs. This implies someone has quickly developed a strong attachment or connection.

Mess of swabs – a derogatory term for sailors who are incompetent, lazy, or generally unworthy.

Languor of the afternoon – evokes a sense of drowsiness, quiet, or stillness that comes with the heat or calm of an afternoon.

Black conscience – refers to a guilty or morally corrupt sense of conscience. When a person has engaged in unethical or evil actions, leaving a stain on their moral character.

Tom lay motionless upon the sward – an old-fashioned term for a stretch of grassy ground, implying a smooth, green surface.