Many feet ran across the deck. Sailors came out of their rooms quickly. Jim Hawkins climbed out of the apple barrel. Jim Hawkins hid behind a sail. Then Jim Hawkins ran to the front of the ship. All the men were there. The moon was bright.
The fog went away. To the south-west, they saw two low hills. Behind those hills was a third, taller hill. The hills were conical (shaped like a triangle with a round bottom). Jim Hawkins felt like he was in a dream because he was still very afraid.
Captain Smollett gave orders to the sailors. The Hispaniola moved closer to the island. Captain Smollett asked the men if anyone knew this land. Long John Silver said he knew it. Long John Silver said he was a cook on a different ship there before.
Long John Silver said the island was called Skeleton Island. He said pirates used to visit the island to clean their ships. He knew the names of all the hills. He called the tallest hill the Spy-glass because pirates watched for other ships from the top.
Captain Smollett showed a chart (a map of the sea and the land) to Long John Silver. Long John Silver looked at the map very closely. But this map was a copy. It did not show the red crosses for the treasure. Long John Silver was disappointed, but he did not show it.
Long John Silver pointed to a place on the map called "Captain Kidd’s Anchorage." He said there was a strong current (the movement of the water in a certain direction) near the shore. Long John Silver said Captain Smollett was smart to move the ship carefully.
Captain Smollett thanked Long John Silver. Then Long John Silver walked toward Jim Hawkins. Jim Hawkins was terrified of the pirate. Jim Hawkins hated the cruelty of Long John Silver. But Jim Hawkins tried to stay calm.
Long John Silver told Jim Hawkins that the island was a wonderful place. He said Jim Hawkins could swim and climb the trees. Long John Silver offered to help Jim Hawkins explore the island. Then Long John Silver touched Jim Hawkins on the shoulder and walked away.
Captain Smollett, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey talked together. Jim Hawkins wanted to tell them his secret news. Dr. Livesey saw Jim Hawkins and called him over. Dr. Livesey asked Jim Hawkins to get his pipe from his room.
Jim Hawkins whispered to Dr. Livesey. Jim Hawkins told Dr. Livesey to bring the captain and the squire to the cabin. Jim Hawkins said he had terrible news. Dr. Livesey looked surprised, but he stayed calm. Dr. Livesey went back to the other men.
Soon, Captain Smollett called all the sailors together. He told the sailors that they reached the island. He said Squire Trelawney was very happy with their work. Captain Smollett gave the sailors extra alcohol to celebrate the trip.
The sailors cheered loudly for Squire Trelawney and the captain. Jim Hawkins could not believe it. These men were the same pirates who wanted to kill them. Then the three leaders went into the cabin. They sent a message for Jim Hawkins to join them.
In the cabin, Jim Hawkins told the whole story. He told them everything Long John Silver said in the apple barrel. Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and Captain Smollett listened silently. They did not move until Jim Hawkins finished his story.
Squire Trelawney spoke first. He said he was wrong about the crew. He said he was a fool. Captain Smollett said the pirates were very clever. They hid their plan very well. Now the leaders had to decide what to do.
Captain Smollett said they could not turn back. If they tried to go home, the pirates would attack immediately. He said they had time because the pirates wanted the treasure first. They decided to wait and watch the sailors carefully.
They counted the honest men on the ship. There were seven honest men, including Jim Hawkins and the servants. There were nineteen pirates. The pirates had many more men. Captain Smollett said they must be very careful.
Dr. Livesey said Jim Hawkins could help the most. The sailors liked Jim Hawkins and talked to him. Jim Hawkins could listen and learn their plans. Jim Hawkins felt worried, but he wanted to help his friends. There were only seven honest men against nineteen pirates.