The Hispaniola (the name of their large sailing ship) was in the water of the harbor. Jim Hawkins, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey went to the ship in a small boat. They moved past many other ships. Finally, they reached the side of the Hispaniola.
A man named Mr. Arrow met them on the ship. Mr. Arrow was the mate (the second leader of a ship). He was an old sailor with a brown face. He wore earrings and had a strange look in his eyes. Squire Trelawney liked Mr. Arrow very much.
But things were different with the captain. Captain Smollett was a serious man. He looked angry with everything on the ship. A sailor told Squire Trelawney that Captain Smollett wanted to speak with him. They all went into a small room under the deck.
Squire Trelawney asked if everything was ready for the trip. Captain Smollett decided to speak honestly. Captain Smollett said, "I do not like this trip. I do not like the sailors. And I do not like my officer, Mr. Arrow."
Squire Trelawney became very angry. Squire Trelawney asked, "Do you like the ship?" Captain Smollett said he did not know because he had not seen the ship sail yet. Squire Trelawney then asked if the captain liked him.
Dr. Livesey stopped the argument. Dr. Livesey asked Captain Smollett to explain his words. Captain Smollett said the trip was supposed to be a secret. But now, every sailor on the ship knew the secret. They all knew they were looking for treasure.
Captain Smollett did not like treasure trips. He said that treasure trips were very dangerous. He also said the secret was not safe. He thought someone told the secret to everyone. He believed the mission was now a matter of life or death.
Dr. Livesey said they were ready for the risk. Captain Smollett then spoke about the crew. He said he did not like them. He wanted to choose his own sailors for the trip. Dr. Livesey said it was too late for that.
Captain Smollett also spoke about Mr. Arrow. He said Mr. Arrow was a good sailor but a bad officer. Mr. Arrow was too friendly with the crew. Captain Smollett believed an officer must be serious and stay away from the sailors.
Captain Smollett wanted to make the ship safe. The sailors were putting the powder (black dust used to fire guns) in the front of the ship. Captain Smollett wanted the powder and the arms (guns and swords) in the back. This was a safer place.
Captain Smollett also wanted the squire’s honest servants to sleep near the cabin. He had one more reason for his worry. He knew about the map of the island. He knew the map had crosses to show the treasure. He even knew where the island was.
Squire Trelawney shouted that he never told anyone. But Captain Smollett said all the sailors knew about it. Captain Smollett wanted the map to be a secret from him and Mr. Arrow, too. He said he would leave the ship if they did not listen.
Dr. Livesey understood the captain. Dr. Livesey asked if Captain Smollett feared a mutiny (when sailors fight their captain to take control of the ship). Captain Smollett did not want to use that word. He said he was responsible for the safety of the ship.
Dr. Livesey smiled and told a story about a mountain and a mouse. He thought Captain Smollett was too worried about small things. Captain Smollett said he only wanted to do his duty. Then Captain Smollett left the room.
Squire Trelawney was very angry. Squire Trelawney thought the captain was a bad man. But Dr. Livesey disagreed. Dr. Livesey believed they had two honest men on the ship: Captain Smollett and Long John Silver.
When they went back to the deck, the sailors were busy. They were moving the arms and the powder. Captain Smollett and Mr. Arrow watched the men work. Jim Hawkins liked the new plan for the rooms on the ship.
The workers made six new sleeping places in the back of the ship. Jim Hawkins and the servant Redruth would sleep there. Captain Smollett and Mr. Arrow would sleep on the deck in a small wooden house.
Everyone worked hard to move the supplies. Then Long John Silver arrived in a small boat with some other men. Long John Silver moved up the side of the ship very quickly. He saw the men moving the powder and asked why.
Captain Smollett answered quickly. Captain Smollett told Long John Silver to go to the galley (the kitchen on a ship). He told the cook to prepare supper for the men. Long John Silver obeyed and went to his kitchen immediately.
Dr. Livesey said that Long John Silver was a good man. Captain Smollett did not answer. The captain saw Jim Hawkins looking at a large gun. He shouted at Jim Hawkins to go and help the cook.
Jim Hawkins was very angry because the captain shouted at him. Jim Hawkins walked away to the kitchen. Jim Hawkins hated Captain Smollett, just like Squire Trelawney did.