just in case
Definition: to be prepared if something happens.
Take an umbrella just in case it rains.
get ready
Definition: to prepare for something.
We need to get ready for school.
come to an agreement
Definition: to decide something together after talking.
After two hours, they came to an agreement.
I must admit
Definition: I say something honestly, even if it is difficult or surprising.
I must admit, the movie was very good.
raised his voice
Definition: spoke louder, often because of anger.
The teacher raised his voice to stop the noise.
regret that decision
Definition: feel sorry about a choice you made.
She regrets that decision now.
Two men were standing outside the wooden fence. One man was holding up a white flag. The other was Long John Silver himself, standing calmly beside him.
It was very early and extremely cold. The cold seemed to go right into my bones. Above them, the sky was bright and clear, and the tops of the trees were shining in the sunlight. But where Silver stood, the ground was still dark and covered with thick white mist. The island looked wet, unhealthy, and dangerous.
'Stay inside, men,' said Captain Smollett. 'This could be a trick.'
Then he shouted to the pirates, 'Who goes there? Stop, or we shoot!'
'Flag of peace!' Silver shouted back.
The captain stayed safely behind the wall just in case someone tried to shoot him. Then he turned to the others.
'Doctor, watch the north side. Jim, take the east. Gray, the west. Everyone else, get ready and be ready with your guns.'
Then he called again, 'What do you want?'
The other pirate answered, 'Captain Silver wants to talk.'
'Captain Silver?' said Smollett. 'I don’t know any Captain Silver.'
Long John smiled. 'Me, sir. My men chose me after you ran away from us.'
He spoke politely, but his voice sounded dangerous.
'We’re ready to come to an agreement,' he continued. 'All I ask is that you let me leave safely after we talk.'
'I don’t want to talk to you,' Captain Smollett replied coldly. 'But if you want to talk, come here yourself. And if there’s any trick, it will be your fault.'
'That’s good enough for me, Captain,' Silver answered cheerfully.
The pirate carrying the white flag tried to stop Silver, but Silver only laughed. Then he climbed over the fence with great effort and dropped down inside.
I must admit I forgot my duty as lookout because I was too interested in watching them. I quietly moved over behind the captain.
Silver slowly climbed the sandy hill, which lay between the fort wall and the fort building, with his crutch*. It was hard work, but he did not give up. Finally, he reached the captain and greeted him politely. He wore his best clothes: a long blue coat with buttons and a large hat.
'Here you are,' said the captain. 'You should sit down.'
'You won’t invite me inside?' Silver asked. 'It’s freezing out here.'
'Well, Silver,' the captain answered, 'if you had stayed honest, you could be sitting in your ship’s kitchen now. But you became a pirate, and that’s your own fault.'
Silver sat down on the sand.
'Good morning, Jim,' he said. 'Doctor. Nice to see everyone together like a happy family.'
'If you have something to say, say it,' said the captain.
Silver nodded. 'You surprised us last night. I admit that. My men had been drinking – not me, of course. Some of them got hurt, and many were frightened. But it won’t happen again.'
Captain Smollett stayed calm. 'Go on.'
Silver leaned forward. 'We want the treasure, and we’re going to get it. You want to save your lives. So let’s talk about this. You have the treasure map, don’t you?'
'Maybe,' said the captain.
'Oh, I know you have it,' Silver replied. 'Now listen. Give us the map and stop attacking us. If you do that, we’ll give you a choice.'
He lit his pipe* and continued speaking.
'You can come with us after we find the treasure, and I promise to leave you safely somewhere. Or you can stay here. We’ll leave you food and send help when we see another ship.'
Then he raised his voice so everyone could hear.
'That’s a fair offer. I hope all of you are listening carefully.'
Captain Smollett stood up and emptied from his pipe.
'Finished?' he asked.
'Yes,' said Silver. 'If you refuse, next time you’ll only hear the sound of guns in your ears.'
'Good,' replied the captain. 'Now listen to me. If your men come here one by one without their guns, I’ll put you in chains and take you back to England for a fair trial.'
Silver looked at Captain Smollett angrily.
'But if you refuse,' the captain continued, 'I will fight you to the death. You can’t sail the ship properly. You can’t find the treasure. And you can’t beat us.'
Silver shouted, 'Help me up!'
'Not me,' said the captain.
'Will nobody help me?' Silver almost screamed.
Not one man moved.
Silver swore* angrily and slowly pulled himself up with his crutch*. Then he spat* into the water.
'Fine!' he shouted. 'Before an hour is over, we’ll destroy this place. Laugh now if you want. Soon you’ll regret that decision !'
Then he turned and walked away angrily through the sand. The man with the white flag helped him over the fence, and moments later they disappeared into the trees.
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