Treasure Island: 7. Hispaniola
The pirates set out to find the treasure...but Ben Gunn has beaten them to it. Jim and his friends set sail for home with Long John Silver a captive, but during the journey Jim allows Silver to slip away and make his escape.
The story
Darby McGraw! Darby McGraw!Captain Flint's last words
The following morning the pirates set off in high spirits to find the treasure, Long John Silver leading the way. They pass a gruesome reminder from the past - the skeleton of a young pirate left by Captain Flint as a clue to the location of the treasure. They come to the correct spot...but immediately discover that someone has been there before them and removed all the treasure. At this moment Dr Livesey attacks from the undergrowth and the pirates scatter. In the confusion Jim and Silver get away. Later they meet up with Ben Gunn and the others and it turns out Ben had removed the treasure some time ago for safe keeping. Now, with the Hispaniola in their possession, Jim and the others are ready to return as rich men. But there remains the issue of what to do with Long John Silver...
The main characters
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Jim Hawkins | Our hero - a 12 year old in search of adventure |
| Billy Bones | A pirate on the run - because he has the treasure map |
| Squire Trelawney | Self-appointed leader of the expedition to claim the treasure |
| Dr Livesey | A friend of Squire Trelawney - though much more sensible and dependable |
| Captain Smollett | The captain of the 'Hispaniola' - is injured by the pirates |
| Long John Silver | The notorious leader of the pirates and part of Captain Flint's original crew...but forms a bond with Jim |
| Flint | A legendary pirate...also Silver's parrot |
| Ben Gunn | Marooned on Treasure Island |
| Hands | One of the nastiest of the pirates |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 | Listening to the rap, before learning the chorus, beginning: 'Hispaniola - gold and silver...' |
| 01 20 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'Those are the days I will remember...' Listening to each line and then repeating with the choir. At 02 53 singing through the whole verse and adding the chorus. |
| 03 44 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'And now our lives have changed forever...' Verse 2 is sung to the same melody as Verse 1, until the words 'Gonna swim away...' |
| 05 38 | Learning the Middle 8, beginning: 'Only when it's late at night...' The Middle 8 provides a melodic contrast to the verses. |
| 06 55 | Learning the rap, beginning: 'Watch me now...' Learning the rap line by line, gradually putting the lines together, and then joining each section together. And that's a rap and a wrap! |
Story questions
What do the pirates find half way up the hill?
The skeleton of 'young Allardyce' - who was a pirate that Captain Flint killed and then used his body to point towards the location of the treasure. Silver describes it as 'one of Flint's jokes'
What do the pirates hear?
A voice calling out 'Fifiteen men on a dead man's chest' and 'Darby McGraw' - which the pirates believe to be the voice of Flint's ghost, until Silver reassures them
What happens before the pirates can attack Silver?
Two shots ring out and two pirates fall dead - Dr Livesey and Ben Gunn have arrived in the nick of time
What do we learn has actually happened to the treasure?
Ben Gunn removed the treasure several years ago and hid it in a cave for safe keeping. He has joined with Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey and Captain Smollett and together they are ready to leave the island as soon as the treasure can be loaded on the Hispaniola
Why does Jim allow Silver to escape?
Because of the bond that has developed between them over the course of their adventure and the thought that Silver will be executed if taken into custody. The question goes to the heart of R L Stevenson's creation of Silver as neither wholly good or bad - someone responsible for terrible deeds...yet resourceful, brave and caring of Jim
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
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Lyrics - Hispaniola
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Hispaniola
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
