Tensions simmer aboard the Hispaniola before the ship even sets sail. Jim Hawkins, fresh with the thrill of adventure, finds himself face-to-face with Captain Smollett—a blunt and commanding presence who wastes no time laying down the hard truth.

“I don’t like treasure voyages on any account,” Smollett declares, “and above all, I don’t like them when they’re secret—though the secret has been told to the parrot.”

This is no ordinary voyage, and the captain knows it. When Jim arrives at the ship, he joins Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney in a tense meeting with Smollett, who raises alarming concerns.

The crew, he claims, knows more about the treasure hunt than they should, and he distrusts both the men under his command and his first officer. Squire Trelawney bristles at the criticism, but Dr. Livesey tempers his outrage, urging him to listen.

Smollett goes further, revealing details about the treasure map—its location, its allure, and the silent dangers it invites. While he stops short of predicting mutiny, his suspicions are clear: this voyage is a powder keg, and one wrong step could ignite disaster. Precautions are grudgingly agreed upon, but trust between the captain and the squire is strained to the breaking point.

For young Jim, the captain’s cold demeanor and sharp words sting deeply, making him resentful of the man who sees him only as a boy unfit for the dangers ahead. But Smollett’s foresight might be the crew’s only safeguard as they prepare to set sail into treacherous waters.

With distrust simmering among the officers and secrets swirling among the crew, the stage is set for a voyage fraught with danger. Can Smollett’s warnings avert catastrophe, or is the Hispaniola destined to sail straight into chaos? The adventure barrels forward, but shadows of mutiny loom larger than ever.

FIND ACTUAL SUNKEN SHIPS

“Then he named the latitude and longitude exactly.” The coasts of our country are littered with sunken ships from over the years, dating back to the first English settlements in America.

We’re going to use Google Earth to input the latitude and longitude of some of the more notorious shipwrecks along the American coast, so you can see the locations for yourself.

TERMS TO KNOW

Fore hold – the forward part of the ship where cargo or supplies are stored, the interior space below the deck.

Berths – the sleeping quarters or beds on a ship.

Latitude and longitude – coordinates used to determine a precise location. Together, latitude and longitude form a grid system that allows precise pinpointing of any location on Earth.

Garrison – a body of troops stationed at a particular location, usually a fort, castle, city, or other military outpost, to defend it.

Stake my wig – an old-English exclamation or oath used to emphasize the speaker’s certainty or determination about something. The equivalent to saying, “I swear” or “I’ll bet my life on it.” Wigs were a valuable item in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Mutiny – an open rebellion or revolt against the lawful authority by sailors against their commanding officers. When the crew refuses to obey orders or take control of the ship by force.

Seen you to the deuce – to tell someone to go away or express annoyance – “deuce” being a euphemism for the devil.

Yo-hoing at their work – sailors singing or chanting “yo-ho” as they carry out their work. Sailors often sang sea shanties to keep a steady pace and boost morale while working together.

Shore-boat – a small boat used to transport people or goods between the shore and a ship anchored off the coast. Used when the main ship cannot dock at the pier due to the water depth.

A long brass nine – refers to a type of cannon mounted on the ship. Specifically, it’s a long nine-pounder cannon made of brass.