In Chapter 8 of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins takes his first steps into a world of danger and intrigue, where appearances deceive and trust is a scarce commodity.

Bristol is alive with the clamor of seafaring men, the murmur of pirate rumors, and the raucous energy of bustling taverns. Amidst this, Jim is tasked with a mission: deliver a note to Long John Silver, the enigmatic one-legged proprietor of the Spy-glass tavern. The tavern itself is a den of loud, boisterous sailors, and Jim hesitates at the door, his courage faltering.

But stepping inside, he meets Silver—a man so affable and clean-cut, he seems to defy everything Jim imagined a buccaneer to be.

Could this truly be the infamous “sea-faring man with one leg” spoken of in fearful whispers?

As their conversation unfolds, the air shifts when Jim catches sight of a familiar face: Black Dog, one of the scoundrels from the Admiral Benbow Inn, fleeing the tavern. Alarmed, Jim alerts Silver, who sends a crewman to capture the rogue—but Black Dog vanishes into the city’s labyrinthine streets. Suspicion and tension mount as Jim grapples with the charm of Silver, the shadow of Black Dog, and the mysteries that seem to surround every corner.

With the Hispaniola set to sail at 4 o’clock tomorrow, the stakes are rising. Who is Long John Silver, really? Can Jim trust his outward charm, or is this just another mask for danger?

The crew is assembled, but the sea ahead holds secrets far darker than Jim can yet imagine. Chapter 8 draws us closer to the edge of adventure—and into the heart of peril.

HOW TO MAKE TALLOW CANDLES

“I recognised him at a glance. It was the tallow-faced man, wanting two fingers, who had come first to the Admiral Benbow.”

Tallow is a rendered form of animal fat, typically derived from beef or mutton. It is solid at room temperature and has a high melting point, making it useful for candles, soap, cooking, and other uses.

Let’s render some tallow and make candles, fit for the Spy-glass.

TERMS TO KNOW

Carts and bales – wheeled wagons for transporting goods, materials, and bound packages.

Buccaneer – a type of pirate or privateer who operated in the Caribbean Sea during the late 17th century.

Tallow-faced – someone whose appears pale, waxy, or sickly, resembling the color and texture of tallow, a type of rendered fat from animals, often used to make candles or soap.

Rolling his quid – preparing a cigarette, using loose tobacco.

Keel-hauling – a brutal form of punishment that involves tying a sailor to a rope and dragging them under the ship’s keel (the bottom part of the hull) from one side to the other.

A blessed dead-eye – a type of hardware used on a ship to secure rigging. Suggests that someone is not thinking clearly.

Bow Street runner – one of the earliest forms of organized police in London, established in the 18th century.

I’ll take my davy – acknowledging the possibility of death – as in Davy Jones’ Locker. In other words, “I’ll take my chances.”

Mirth – camaraderie among the crew, despite the tension and danger inherent in their pirate lives.

A perfect trump – refers to a playing card that can’t lose. In regard to people, they’re a sure thing.