In Chapter 7 of Treasure Island, the wheels of adventure begin to turn in earnest as young Jim Hawkins prepares for the journey of a lifetime. Left at the Hall, waiting for word from Squire Trelawney,

Jim immerses himself in the treasure map. Day by day, he grows more familiar with the island’s contours, imagining the challenges and dangers that await:

“I climbed a thousand times to that tall hill they call the Spy-glass…”

This is not the same boy we first met—Jim is growing into someone who is ready to face the unknown.

At last, a letter arrives from the squire. The ship, the Hispaniola, is ready, the crew assembled, and the enigmatic Long John Silver—a one-legged sea cook with a storied past—has joined the voyage.

With the ship waiting at Bristol, Jim bids a heartfelt farewell to his mother and the cove, leaving behind the familiar world of his childhood.

When Jim arrives in Bristol, the bustling docks come alive with sights and sounds unlike anything he’s ever experienced. Ships of every size and crew from every nation prepare for journeys across the seas. The boy who has always lived by the shore now feels the pull of the vast ocean for the first time.

As Jim approaches the Hispaniola, anticipation builds: Who are these men the squire has recruited? What kind of captain is Smollett? And can Long John Silver—a man with a mysterious air and a past steeped in the sea—be trusted? The adventure is finally underway, but already the shadows of danger begin to gather. Will this be the beginning of fortune, or the start of betrayal? The tide is turning, and the unknown beckons.

LEARN TO SING A SEA SHANTY

Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, the voyage is done, and the winds don’t blow,
And it’s time for us to leave her.

There’s nothing more satisfying to the soul than sitting in the galley, drinking grog and singing sea shanties, with your mates. Let’s sing “Leave her Johnny.”

TERMS TO KNOW

Gamekeeper – a right-hand man who looks after an estate.

Brooded – to think deeply or worry persistently about something, often in a gloomy or resentful way.

Riggers – crew that handles the rigging of the sails, masts, and spars on a ship, ensuring that sails are properly raised, adjusted, and secured. Requires expertise in knot-tying, understanding wind conditions, and physical agility, as they work up in the rigging.

Tarpaulins – large sheets of strong, flexible material that protect supplies, equipment, or the crew from the weather.

Boatswain – a senior crew member responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship’s deck and equipment.

Roving – navigating uncharted territories, wandering or exploring, often without a fixed destination or purpose.

Thither – meaning “to there” or “to that place.” Used in older forms of English literature to evoke a sense of distance or direction toward a location that is not immediately present.

Figureheads – carved wooden sculptures that adorn the bows of ships, often mythical creatures or historical figures.