It took longer than Squire Trelawney expected to get ready. The plans changed. Dr. Livesey had to go to London to find another doctor for his patients. Jim Hawkins stayed at the big house with Tom Redruth. Tom Redruth was the gamekeeper (a person who looks after the animals on a large farm). Jim Hawkins felt like a prisoner, but he was happy. He dreamed about the island and great adventures.
Jim Hawkins looked at the map for many hours. He remembered every detail of the map. He sat by the fire and imagined the island. He imagined climbing the tall hill called the Spy-glass. Sometimes he imagined fighting enemies. Other times he imagined dangerous animals. But his real adventure was more strange than his dreams.
Many weeks passed. One day, a letter arrived for Dr. Livesey. The letter said that Tom Redruth or Jim Hawkins could open it. Tom Redruth was not good at reading. So, Jim Hawkins read the letter. The letter was from Squire Trelawney in Bristol.
The letter said that the Squire bought a ship. It was a schooner (a fast ship with two or more sails). The name of the ship was the Hispaniola. A friend named Mr. Blandly helped the Squire. Everyone in Bristol knew about the treasure because the Squire talked about it. Jim Hawkins knew Dr. Livesey would be angry. They wanted to keep the treasure a secret.
The Squire also wrote about the crew. He met a man on the docks. The man's name was Long John Silver. He was an old sailor with only one leg. He had a public-house (a building where people go to drink and eat). Long John Silver wanted to be the cook on the ship. The Squire felt sorry for him and hired him.
Long John Silver helped the Squire find other sailors. They found many strong men. Long John Silver even told the Squire to fire some other men. The Squire was very happy with the new crew. He wanted to go to sea immediately. He told Jim Hawkins to visit his mother and then come to Bristol.
In a small note, the Squire said that Mr. Blandly found a man to lead the ship. Long John Silver found a man named Mr. Arrow to be the mate (the second leader on a ship). The Squire also said that Long John Silver was a rich man. Silver had a wife who would stay at his inn.
Jim Hawkins was very excited. But Tom Redruth was not happy. Tom Redruth complained a lot. The next morning, Jim Hawkins and Tom Redruth walked to the Admiral Benbow inn. Jim’s mother was healthy and happy. The Squire paid for new paint and furniture for the inn. He also found a new boy to help Jim’s mother.
When Jim Hawkins saw the new boy, he felt sad. He realized he was leaving his home. This new boy would stay with his mother instead of Jim Hawkins. Jim Hawkins cried for the first time. He was not very kind to the new boy because he felt jealous.
After dinner, Jim Hawkins said goodbye to his mother. He looked at the bay and the old inn. He thought about the dead captain. Then Jim Hawkins and Tom Redruth walked away. Soon, the inn was out of sight.
In the evening, they caught a mail coach (a large carriage pulled by horses that carries letters and people). Jim Hawkins sat between Tom Redruth and an old man. It was a cold night. Jim Hawkins slept for a long time. When he woke up, they were in a city.
"Where are we?" Jim Hawkins asked.
"Bristol," Tom Redruth said. "Get down."
They walked to the quays (the area where ships stay in the water). Jim Hawkins saw many ships of all sizes. Sailors were singing and working high above the ground. Jim Hawkins smelled the salt and the tar (a black, sticky substance used to protect ships). He saw old sailors with earrings and long hair. Jim Hawkins was very happy.
Suddenly, they saw a large inn. Squire Trelawney came out of the door. The Squire wore a blue uniform like a sailor. He was smiling. He said that Dr. Livesey arrived from London. Now the crew was complete.
"Oh, sir," Jim Hawkins cried. "When do we sail?"
"We sail tomorrow!" Squire Trelawney answered.