hand something over
definition: To give something to someone, usually by putting it in their hand.
1. The police officer asked me for my passport, so I handed it over.
2. She handed over the keys to the new owner.
3. Please hand the documents over to the person at the desk.
step forward/backwards/inside etc.
definition: To move one or more steps in a particular direction.
1. The teacher asked me to step forward so she could see me better.
2. He stepped backwards when the dog came towards him.
3. She opened the door and stepped inside.
make a complete mess of
definition: To do something very badly and cause many problems.
1. I made a complete mess of the birthday cake, so we had to buy one.
2. He made a complete mess of his first driving test.
3. I was so nervous that I made a complete mess of my speech.
look somebody in the eye
definition: To look directly at someone’s eyes when you are talking to them.
1. She looked me in the eye and told me the truth.
2. He couldn't look his father in the eye after he broke the window.
3. When you speak to people, try to look them in the eye.
give somebody your promise
definition: To promise someone that you will definitely do something.
1. I gave my mother my promise that I would be home by ten.
2. He gave me his promise that he would never tell anyone.
3. She gave her parents her promise that she would study harder.
say a good word for somebody
definition: To say something positive about someone, especially to help them get a job or another opportunity.
1. My manager said a good word for me when I applied for the new job.
2. Could you say a good word for me to your boss?
3. She said a good word for her friend, and he got an interview.
be in a great hurry
definition: To need to do something very quickly because you do not have much time.
1. I was in a great hurry this morning, so I forgot my phone.
2. Don't be in such a great hurry; we have plenty of time.
3. He was in a great hurry to catch the last train.
The pirate discussion outdoors in the dark had continued for a long time. Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver waited in the fort* building.
'Here they come,' I said. I quickly stepped back from the window because I did not want them to see me watching.
'Let them come, my boy,' said Silver happily. 'I have a plan prepared .'
The door opened. Five men stood closely together in the room. They slowly pushed one man forward. He walked very carefully, holding his right hand closed in front of him.
'Step up, mate!' shouted Silver. 'I won't eat you. Hand it over . I know pirate rules.'
The man walked forward quickly, gave a small object to Silver, and at once ran back to his friends.
Silver looked at his hand. 'The Black Spot! I thought so,' he said. The Black Spot was a famous pirate sign. It meant a captain was going to be replaced or murdered. 'Where did you get the paper? Wait a minute! You cut this out of a Bible. What kind of fool cuts a Bible?'
'Ah, I told you!' said the pirate named Morgan. 'I said that would bring bad luck.'
'Well, you are all in trouble now,' Silver continued. 'You will all go to prison for this. Which silly man cut up a Bible?'
'It was Dick,' said one of the pirates.
'Dick, was it? Then Dick should say a prayer,' said Silver. 'His good luck is over.'
Then, a tall pirate with yellow eyes stepped forward. His name was George Merry. 'Stop all this smart talk, John Silver,' he said angrily. 'The crew gave you the Black Spot. Turn the paper over and read it. Then you can talk.'
'Thank you, George,' Silver replied quietly. 'You always know the rules . Let's see... Ah! 'Leave'—it means I am no longer the captain. It is written very nicely. Did you write this, George? Perhaps you want to be the new captain. Please bring me a light from the fire so I can light my pipe.'
'Come on,' said George. 'No more tricks . You are not our captain now.'
'I thought you knew the rules, George,' Silver said with a cold smile. 'I am still your captain until you tell me your complaints and I give my answer.'
'Oh, don't worry,' replied George. 'We have four complaints. First, you made a complete mess of this expedition. Second, you let our enemies leave this fort* house, and they gave nothing in return . Third, you did not let us attack them when they went away. And fourth, there is this boy. Why are we keeping him?'
'Is that all?' asked Silver quietly.
'It is enough!' shouted George. 'We will all die because of your mistakes.'
Silver stood up tall. 'Listen to me,' he said loudly. 'I will answer your four points. First, I made a mess of the expedition? You all know what my plan was! If we had followed my plan, we would be on the ship right now. We would have the treasure! But who made me attack early? It was you, George, and the others! You destroyed everything we had!'
Silver paused, and I could see the pirates looking nervous. He was winning the argument .
'Second,' Silver continued, 'you complain about the boy. Are you mad? He is a prisoner! We need him to stay alive. I will never kill that boy unless I have to. Third, you complain about the enemy doctor. We need him! He comes here every day to check your sick heads and give you medicine. And finally, why did I let them leave the fort*house? Because they gave me this!'
Silver dropped a piece of paper onto the floor. I recognised it at once . It was the treasure map with the three red crosses! I could not understand why the doctor had given it to him.
The pirates jumped on the map like hungry cats. They passed it from hand to hand. They laughed and shouted like children. They were so happy you would think they already had the gold in their pockets.
'Yes,' said one man. 'This is Captain Flint's map, for sure !'
'Silver!' the pirates shouted together. 'Silver forever! Silver for captain!'
'So, that is your decision , is it?' Silver smiled. 'George, I guess you will have to wait to be captain. Here, Jim, a souvenir for you.' He passed the Black Spot to me. It was a small circle of paper, black with ash on one side, with the word 'Leave' written on it.
(music)
The next morning, we were all woken up by a clear, cheerful voice calling from the edge of the wood. 'Hello, the house! The doctor is here.'
It was Dr. Livesey. I was delighted to hear his voice, but I also felt extremely ashamed. I had run away secretly, and I felt I could not look him in the eye .
'Good morning, Doctor!' shouted Silver. He sounded very awake and cheerful even. 'Your patients are waiting for you.'
The doctor walked into the camp. He looked at me for a second, but did not speak to me. He started checking the sick pirates. He behaved as if they were perfectly normal patients in a quiet English village.
'You have a fever, Dick,' the doctor said. 'Camping in a wet jungle is a bad idea. You are all stupid men. You know nothing about health .'
After he gave them all medicine , the doctor looked in my direction. 'Now, I would like to have a talk with that boy, please.'
'Of course, sir,' said Silver. 'Hawkins, will you give me your promise that you will not run away?'
'I promise,' I said.
'Then, Doctor,' said Silver, 'I will bring Jim to the other side. You can talk safely.'
When we were some way from the others, Silver turned to the doctor. He looked terrified . 'Doctor, you are a good man,' Silver whispered. 'Please remember that I saved the boy's life. I am in great danger of going to prison and worse . Please say a good word for me.' Then he walked away so the Doctor and I could talk together.
'So, Jim,' the doctor said sadly. 'Here you are. I cannot find it in my heart to blame you completely, but running away was a stupid thing to do.'
I began to cry. 'Doctor, please,' I said. 'I have blamed myself enough. I know I deserve to die. But if they try to hurt me—'
'Jim,' the doctor interrupted quickly. 'Jump over the fence*! We will run away together right now.'
'No,' I replied. 'I made a promise to Silver. I must stay. But doctor, listen! If they hurt me, I might tell them my secret. I found the ship. I hid it on the southern beach.'
'The ship!' the doctor cried.
I quickly told him my whole experience. He listened to me in silence .
'Jim, there is a kind of magic in this,' he finally said. 'Every time, you save our lives. You found the ship. You found Ben Gunn in the woods. That is the best thing you ever did.'
The doctor called out. 'Silver! I will tell you this. Do not be in a great hurry to find that treasure.'
'I have to find it, sir,' said Silver. 'It is the only way to save my life and the boy's life.'
'Well, if that is true, look out for trouble when you find it,' the doctor warned . 'I cannot tell you the secret, but I promise you this: if we both escape this island alive , I will do my best to save you from death.'
Silver's face shone with pure happiness . 'Thank you, sir! You could not say sweeter words if you were my own mother.'
'Keep the boy close beside you,' the doctor added . 'Goodbye, Jim.' He shook my hand through the wooden fence* and walked quickly into the forest.
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