Chapter 26 of Treasure Island delivers a heart-stopping battle of wits and survival as Jim Hawkins faces off against the treacherous Israel Hands aboard the Hispaniola. Sailing toward the North Inlet, Jim grows wary of the wounded coxswain’s suspicious behavior. When Hands deceitfully sends Jim below deck for a bottle of wine, the young captain sees through the ruse:

“I entirely disbelieved it. The whole story was a pretext. He wanted me to leave the deck—so much was plain; but with what purpose I could in no way imagine.”

Watching from below, Jim catches Hands pocketing a long knife, confirming his suspicions.

“This was all that I was required to know. Israel could move about; he was now armed; and if he had been at so much trouble to get rid of me, it was plain that I was meant to be the victim.”

Determined to outmaneuver the pirate, Jim returns to the deck, steering the Hispaniola into the harbor. But just as the ship reaches safety, Hands makes his move, attacking with the knife.

Jim dodges the strike, but when his pistol misfires, he’s forced to flee across the deck, desperate to escape the deadly pirate.

In a dramatic twist, the ship lurches violently, giving Jim a chance to reload his pistols. Hands, momentarily disarmed, mutters in defeat: “I’d have had you but for that there lurch: but I don’t have no luck, not I.”

But the fight isn’t over. Just as Jim feels victory within reach, Hands hurls his knife, pinning Jim to the mast by his shoulder.

In a final act of courage, Jim’s pistols fire, and Israel Hands plunges headfirst into the sea.

This chapter is a breathtaking showdown that pushes Jim to his limits, testing his courage in the face of mortal danger.

Will Jim survive his wounds and return to the stockade, or has the battle aboard the Hispaniola taken more than he can endure?

Chapter 26 is a gripping climax of survival and hard-won triumph.

MAKE A MODEL TALL SHIP

We learn quite a bit about sailing a schooner in this chapter, as Robert Louis Stevenson describes Jim’s feat of delivering the Hispanolia to the North Inlet. He so much describes the workings and parts of the ship - the masts and the shrouds - that we feel like we could sail a tall ship of our own.

We’re going to make a model tall ship out of natural materials.

TERMS TO KNOW

“I don’t reckon him ornamental” – Israel Hands doesn’t think O’Brien’s dead body should stay on board as decoration.

Port – a type of fortified wine originating from Portugal, known for its rich, sweet flavor. It’s typically enjoyed as a dessert wine.

Sparred gallery – a ship’s kitchen area that is equipped with spars—stout poles used to provide structural support within the galley.

Port scuppers – drainage openings on the port (left) side of a ship or boat that allow water on the deck to drain overboard.

A short dirk – a small, pointed dagger, traditionally associated with Scottish Highlanders.

Long Tom – a long-barreled cannon, typically mounted on a ship or in coastal defenses.

“I’m for my long home” – a euphemism for dying or heading toward one’s final resting place.

“I spoke with a little heat” – speaking with some degree of anger, irritation, or strong emotion.

“Took a great draught of the wine” – a large, deep drink of wine. “Draught” (or “draft”) is an old-fashioned term for a big sip or swallow, often implying a hearty or satisfying gulp.

“We’ll sail slap in and be done with it” – a direct, bold approach to a task or problem. In this context, “sail slap in” implies moving straight ahead without hesitation or caution.

Narrow and shoal – a treacherous area where navigation is both confined and shallow, demanding caution to avoid mishaps.

“I was a good, prompt subaltern” – an efficient and reliable junior officer, often in a military context.

Never a catspaw – not being easily manipulated by others. A cat’s paw is a person who is unwittingly used to accomplish another’s purposes, often for something underhanded or deceitful.

Capstan – a large, rotating mechanical device used to wind ropes, cables, or chains for tasks requiring significant force, such as raising anchors, hoisting heavy sails, or hauling in fishing nets.

Starboard, larboard – nautical terms used to indicate the right and left sides of a ship, respectively.

“Now my hearty, luff” – “luff” means to turn the ship’s bow more into the wind. In this context. “My hearty” is a friendly term among sailors, akin to saying, “my friend” or “mate.”

I put the helm hard up – turning the ship’s wheel sharply leeward (downwind direction), causing the bow to turn away from the wind.

Ran stem on – collided with something head-on, with its stem (the very front or prow of the ship) hitting the object directly.

Disquietude – a state of unease, anxiety, or worry.

The priming was useless with sea-water – a firearm cannot be fired because the priming—the small amount of gunpowder used to ignite the main charge—has been dampened by seawater.

The sudden canting of the ship – an abrupt tilting or leaning of the ship to one side.

Cross-trees – horizontal bars or supports located on a ship’s mast, typically near the top.

Mizzen shrouds – strong ropes or cables that support the mizzen mast (the third mast from the bow on a ship with three or more masts, located toward the stern).

“He began to see the dice going against him” – realizing that things are not going in his favor.

“He also hauled himself heavily into the shrouds” – pulling himself up into the shrouds, the ropes that run from the sides of a ship to its masts.

“I’ll have to strike” – realizing he must surrender. To “strike” means to lower the ship’s flag, signaling surrender.