1) close up
2) show somebody in
3) have one’s doubts
4) keen on / fond of
5) dislike
6) not be convinced
7) give somebody a hand
The Hispaniola was waiting out at sea, not near the land but a little way out. We rowed out in a small boat among many big ships. Their ropes hung down in the water, and sometimes they touched our boat. I had never seen a ship so close up before and was amazed at their size and beauty . At last, we came next to our ship and climbed on board .
A man with dark brown skin and earrings welcomed us.
'Good evening, gentlemen,' he said.
This was Mr. Arrow, the first officer *. He looked friendly, and he and the squire, Mr Trelawney, seemed to get on really well. But I soon saw that the case was just the opposite between the squire and Captain Smollett.
The captain looked serious and a little annoyed . When we went down into the cabin*, a sailor came in.
' Captain Smollett wants to speak with you, sir,' he said.
' Show him in ,' said the squire.
The captain came in, shut the door and took off his hat.
'Well, Captain ,' said the squire. 'Is everything ready? Is the ship prepared ?'
The captain looked at him, considering the question carefully.
'Sir, I will speak honestly . I have my doubts about this voyage . I don’t like the crew . And I’m not keen on my first officer - Mr Arrow.'
The squire turned red.
'You don’t seem to like anything, Captain Smollet. You dislike the ship too, I imagine .' he said angrily .
'I haven’t sailed her yet,' said the captain . 'She looks strong and in good shape . But I’m not convinced about how things are going.'
Dr Livesey spoke quietly. 'Please explain.'
The captain nodded . 'I was hired to sail this ship. But now I see that the sailors know more than I do. They’ve found out somehow that we are going to look for treasure .'
A look of worry crossed the doctor’s face. 'That is not good.'
'You’re living dangerously where treasure is involved ,' said the captain. 'Men change when their thoughts are on the subject of gold. And this secret is not a secret any more.'
The squire stood up. 'I haven’t discussed this with anyone!'
'The sailors know about the map,' said the captain . 'They’ve even discovered where the island is.'
The squire looked at me and the doctor. 'It wasn’t me! I kept quiet about this.'
Dr Livesey stayed calm . 'What do you want us to do, Captain ?'
'I want the guns and powder moved near your cabins*,' he said. 'And your own men should sleep near you, not at the front of the ship.'
'You think there could be a mutiny*?' asked the doctor.
The captain answered carefully. 'I am responsible for the safety of this ship. I will not be satisfied unless some changes are made on the ship. If these changes don’t take place , I will have to leave.'
After a long silence , the squire said, 'Very well. We will do as you say. But I'm not sure if I trust you, Captain Smollet.'
'That is your choice ,' said the captain . 'I will do my duty .'
When he left, the doctor smiled . 'Trelawney, I think you found two honest men — the captain and Long John Silver.'
'Silver, yes,' said the squire. 'But not that captain !'
We worked hard that night. We moved the guns and the powder as the captain had requested . The cabins* were changed. Now the squire’s men and I slept near the back of the ship.
Late in the evening, Long John Silver came on board from a small boat rowed from the shore . He climbed up incredibly quickly, even with his wooden leg.
'What’s happening here?' he asked cheerfully .
'We are moving the powder ,' a sailor answered.
'I can see that, but If we wait too long, we will miss the morning tide !' Silver said.
'My orders ,' said the captain angrily . 'Go and make supper.'
'Aye, aye, sir,' said Silver politely , and he went below.
The doctor watched him. 'That’s a man we can trust .'
'Maybe,' said the captain .
Then he saw me standing there doing nothing.
'You, boy! Go and give the cook a hand . No favourites on my ship!'
I felt hurt and annoyed . I was not fond of that man.
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