Chapter 17 of Treasure Island delivers a heart-pounding sequence of danger and chaos as Dr. Livesey continues the narration. With the Hispaniola now a battlefield between loyalty and treachery, he, Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollett, and Tom Redruth attempt a daring escape to shore in a tiny, overloaded jolly-boat.

Four tall men crammed into a small craft, they battle a powerful current that threatens to drag them straight into the pirates’ gig-boats—or worse, expose them to gunfire from the ship.

As the boat veers sideways, their peril grows. Mutineers aboard the Hispaniola scramble to take aim, and the squire, known for his skill with a musket, targets Israel Hands, the pirate preparing to fire the ship’s cannon.

But Trelawney’s shot misses its mark, striking another pirate instead. The deck erupts into chaos as the buccaneers rush to retaliate.

“Here come the gigs,” someone shouts.

The strong current that hindered their rowing now becomes their salvation, pulling them out of reach of the approaching pirates.

But their luck doesn’t hold for long—Israel Hands finally gets a shot off, and the cannon’s roar sends the tiny jolly-boat reeling. Supplies splash into the sea, nearly sinking the craft, and the cabin crew is left with half their provisions gone.

Meanwhile, the sound of gunfire reaches Jim Hawkins on shore, signaling the start of an all-out war between the loyalists and the mutineers. The tension is high as the cabin crew struggles to reach the safety of the island, knowing the pirates are closing in.

Can they make it to shore before the pirates catch them? Will their dwindling supplies be enough to hold out in the coming battle? Chapter 17 is a thrilling moment of survival, as the loyalists face attacks on all sides and the shadow of mutiny grows ever darker.

MAKE A QUILL PEN & INK

The most popular writing instruments in the 18th century were made of quills - feathers from large birds (often goose or swan) and cut to a point. Quills were dipped in ink and could produce fine lines, but they required regular sharpening with a penknife and constant dipping into the ink. We’re going to make our own quill pens and ink to replicate what it was like to write letters and keep formal records like the ship’s logbook.

TERMS TO KNOW

Little gallipot of a boat – a gallipot is a small ceramic or glass container used for holding ointments or medicines. Emphasizes the small, fragile, and inadequate nature of the boat.

Gunwale was lipping astern – the gunwale (pronounced “gunnel”) is the upper edge of the boat’s side; “lipping” suggests water is spilling over the edge; “astern” is the back of the boat.

Leeward – the side of a ship or boat that is sheltered from the wind – the opposite of windward, which faces the wind.

The current must slacken – means that the flow of water, or the strength of the current, is expected to decrease or slow down.

Sitting in the fore-sheets – a person seated at the front section of a boat. The sheets in a small boat are the spaces or seating areas, and fore-sheets are located toward the bow, or front, of the boat.

Look astern – to look toward the back, or stern, of the boat.

Jacket, as they called the stout tarpaulin cover – a jacket is the strong, waterproof tarpaulin cover used to protect the boat and its crew from harsh weather conditions.

Jack ashore – a sailor (affectionately called Jack) who is on land after being at sea.

Carpet bowls – a game similar to lawn bowling, but played indoors on a carpet instead of on a lawn. The crew, like small balls rolling on a carpet, are at the mercy of the rough water.

Carried his over his shoulder by a bandoleer – a shoulder belt with small pockets or loops to hold ammunition or other gear.

Lock uppermost – the orientation of a firearm, with the lock (the mechanism used to ignite or fire the weapon) positioned on top.