Two men were just outside the fence. One man waved a white cloth. The other man was Long John Silver. He stood quietly in the cold morning air. It was a very bright day, but a white mist came from the marsh (a very wet, soft area of land). This mist made the island feel like an unhealthy place.
Captain Smollett told the men to stay inside the house. He thought the pirates were playing a trick. Captain Smollett shouted to the pirates. He told them to stop or he would shoot. Long John Silver shouted back. He said he wanted a truce (a short time when people stop fighting).
Captain Smollett stayed in the porch. He was careful because he did not want the pirates to shoot him. He gave orders to the men inside. He told Doctor Livesey, Jim Hawkins, and Abraham Gray to watch the windows. He told the other men to load the guns. Captain Smollett asked Long John Silver what he wanted.
The other pirate shouted that "Captain Silver" wanted to make a deal. Captain Smollett was surprised. He did not know that the pirates made Long John Silver their captain. Long John Silver said the pirates wanted to be peaceful if they could agree on a deal. He asked for safety while he talked to Captain Smollett.
Captain Smollett said he did not want to talk to a pirate. But he told Long John Silver he could come to the fence. He warned Long John Silver not to try any tricks. Long John Silver was happy. He climbed over the fence with his crutch. He was very strong and moved quickly.
Jim Hawkins was very interested in the meeting. Jim Hawkins left his window and went to stand behind Captain Smollett. Captain Smollett sat at the door of the house. He watched the water in the iron kettle and waited. Long John Silver had a hard time walking up the hill. The sand was soft and there were many tree stumps.
Long John Silver wore his best clothes. He had a big blue coat with brass buttons and a fine hat. He finally reached Captain Smollett and was very polite. Captain Smollett told Long John Silver to sit down. Long John Silver complained about the cold sand. He wanted to go inside the house.
Captain Smollett refused. He told Long John Silver that he was a pirate and a rebel. He said that honest men sat inside, but pirates sat outside. Long John Silver sat on the sand. He said hello to Jim Hawkins and Doctor Livesey. He called them a "happy family."
Captain Smollett told him to speak quickly. Long John Silver mentioned that someone attacked the pirates during the night. Jim Hawkins realized that Ben Gunn visited the pirates while they were drunk. Long John Silver was worried. He said the pirates would not drink so much rum (a strong alcoholic drink) again.
Long John Silver told Captain Smollett what the pirates wanted. He said they wanted the treasure. He knew that Captain Smollett had the map. Captain Smollett did not say anything. Long John Silver said he did not want to hurt anyone. He just wanted the map.
Captain Smollett filled his pipe with tobacco. He told Long John Silver that he knew the pirates’ plan. He said the pirates could not hurt them now. Long John Silver became a little angry, but he stayed calm. He filled his own pipe. The two men sat and smoked for a long time.
Then Long John Silver made his offer. He said, "Give us the map. Stop shooting my men." He offered to take the men on the ship after the pirates found the treasure. He promised to leave them in a safe place. Or, he said the men could stay on the island. He promised to send the first ship he saw to save them.
Long John Silver shouted so everyone in the house could hear him. He thought it was a very good deal. Captain Smollett stood up. He cleaned his pipe. He asked if that was all. Long John Silver said yes. He said if Captain Smollett refused, the pirates would attack with guns.
Captain Smollett gave his answer. He told the pirates to surrender one by one. He promised to take them to England for a fair trial. He said the pirates could not find the treasure without the map. He said they were not good sailors and could not sail the ship.
Captain Smollett told Long John Silver to leave. He said he would shoot Long John Silver the next time they met. Long John Silver was very angry. His eyes were wide with rage. He asked for help to stand up, but no one moved. Long John Silver had to crawl to the porch to use his crutch.
Long John Silver spat into the clean water of the spring. He shouted that he would destroy the house in one hour. He told the men they would not laugh for long. He said the men who died quickly would be the lucky ones. Then Long John Silver stumbled away and disappeared into the trees.