Everyone was very busy all night. Many friends of Squire Trelawney came to the ship. They wanted to say goodbye and wish everyone a safe trip. Jim Hawkins worked harder than ever before. Jim Hawkins was very tired.
Just before the sun came up, the boatswain (an officer who looks after the sails and the ropes) blew a whistle. The sailors began to work. Jim Hawkins was tired, but he stayed on the deck. Everything was new and interesting to Jim Hawkins.
The sailors began to sing a song. Long John Silver stood with his crutch under his arm. Long John Silver sang the words Jim Hawkins knew well. "Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest," sang Long John Silver. All the sailors sang the chorus: "Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
Soon, the anchor (a heavy metal object used to stop a ship) was out of the water. The sails opened and the ship began to move. The Hispaniola started its long trip to Treasure Island. Jim Hawkins went to sleep for a short time.
The voyage was good. The ship was strong and the sailors were very good at their jobs. Captain Smollett understood how to lead the ship. But before they reached Treasure Island, a few important things happened.
First, Mr. Arrow was a very bad officer. Captain Smollett was right to worry about Mr. Arrow. Mr. Arrow had no power over the sailors. After two days at sea, Mr. Arrow was drunk all the time. His eyes were red and he could not speak clearly.
Squire Trelawney and Captain Smollett were angry with Mr. Arrow. They ordered Mr. Arrow to stay in his bed. Sometimes Mr. Arrow was sober, but usually he was not. No one knew where Mr. Arrow found the alcohol. It was a mystery.
One dark night, the sea was very rough. Mr. Arrow disappeared and no one saw him again. Captain Smollett said Mr. Arrow fell into the sea. Now the ship had no mate (the second leader of a ship). A sailor named Job Anderson took his place.
Another sailor was named Israel Hands. Israel Hands was a very experienced sailor. He was also a good friend of Long John Silver. The sailors called Long John Silver by a nickname, "Barbecue." Long John Silver was a very special man.
Long John Silver wore a lanyard (a piece of rope around the neck) to hold his crutch. This helped Long John Silver use both hands. He was a great cook. He could move across the deck quickly even when the sea was rough.
The sailors respected Long John Silver. Israel Hands told Jim Hawkins that Long John Silver was very brave. Long John Silver was also very smart. Long John Silver was always kind to Jim Hawkins in the galley (the kitchen on a ship).
The galley was very clean. Long John Silver kept his parrot in a cage there. The parrot was named Captain Flint. The parrot often shouted, "Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!" (an old type of silver coin). Long John Silver said the bird was two hundred years old.
Long John Silver told stories about the parrot. He said the bird sailed with famous pirates. The bird saw many many silver coins in the past. Sometimes the parrot said bad words. Long John Silver laughed and gave the bird some sugar.
Squire Trelawney and Captain Smollett still did not like each other. Squire Trelawney thought the captain was too serious. Captain Smollett said the sailors were good, but he was still worried. Captain Smollett did not like the treasure trip.
The sailors were very happy on the ship. Squire Trelawney gave the sailors extra food and alcohol. There was a barrel of apples on the deck for everyone. Captain Smollett told Dr. Livesey that this was a mistake. He thought it made the sailors lazy.
The Hispaniola was now very near the island. Everyone was excited. The first part of the adventure was almost over. One night, after the sun went down, Jim Hawkins wanted an apple. Jim Hawkins went to the barrel on the deck.
There were not many apples left in the barrel. Jim Hawkins climbed inside the barrel to find one. It was dark and the ship moved slowly. Jim Hawkins almost fell asleep inside the barrel. Suddenly, a heavy man sat down next to the barrel.
The man was Long John Silver. Jim Hawkins stayed very quiet. Jim Hawkins was afraid to move. Jim Hawkins listened to Long John Silver speak. After a few words, Jim Hawkins realized that all the honest men were in great danger.