Summary
Dr. Livesey takes over the story as the loyal crew faces their most dangerous moment yet. With Jim missing and mutineers controlling most of the ship, they're trapped with no wind to escape. But the doctor spots something crucial—a fortified stockade on the island with fresh water, the one thing their enemies lack. Instead of waiting to be overwhelmed, he convinces Captain Smollett to attempt a daring evacuation. They load boats with weapons and supplies while holding the remaining mutineers at gunpoint, knowing one wrong move means death. The plan works partly because they act decisively and partly because they understand what really matters in survival—not just food and weapons, but water. Even Abraham Gray, one of the fence-sitting sailors, finally chooses a side when he sees real leadership in action. The chapter shows how crisis reveals character and how sometimes the most dangerous option is actually the safest. Dr. Livesey's medical and military background helps him stay calm under pressure, but it's his ability to see the bigger picture that saves them. They're not just running away—they're positioning themselves to control the island's most valuable resource while their enemies are distracted by treasure hunting.
Coming Up in Chapter 17
The escape isn't over yet—they still have to make it safely to the stockade while enemy boats patrol the waters. But bigger questions loom: Is Jim Hawkins still alive after that terrible scream echoed across the island?
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Narrative Continued by the Doctor: How the Ship Was Abandoned It was about half past one--three bells in the sea phrase--that the two boats went ashore from the HISPANIOLA. The captain, the squire, and I were talking matters over in the cabin. Had there been a breath of wind, we should have fallen on the six mutineers who were left aboard with us, slipped our cable, and away to sea. But the wind was wanting; and to complete our helplessness, down came Hunter with the news that Jim Hawkins had slipped into a boat and was gone ashore with the rest. It never occurred to us to doubt Jim Hawkins, but we were alarmed for his safety. With the men in the temper they were in, it seemed an even chance if we should see the lad again. We ran on deck. The pitch was bubbling in the seams; the nasty stench of the place turned me sick; if ever a man smelt fever and dysentery, it was in that abominable anchorage. The six scoundrels were sitting grumbling under a sail in the forecastle; ashore we could see the gigs made fast and a man sitting in each, hard by where the river runs in. One of them was whistling “Lillibullero.” Waiting was a strain, and it was decided that Hunter and I should go ashore with the jolly-boat in quest of information. The gigs had leaned to their right, but Hunter and I pulled straight in, in the direction of the stockade upon the chart. The two who were left guarding their boats seemed in a bustle at our appearance; “Lillibullero” stopped off, and I could see the pair discussing what they ought to do. Had they gone and told Silver, all might have turned out differently; but they had their orders, I suppose, and decided to sit quietly where they were and hark back again to “Lillibullero.” There was a slight bend in the coast, and I steered so as to put it between us; even before we landed we had thus lost sight of the gigs. I jumped out and came as near running as I durst, with a big silk handkerchief under my hat for coolness’ sake and a brace of pistols ready primed for safety. I had not gone a hundred yards when I reached the stockade. This was how it was: a spring of clear water rose almost at the top of a knoll. Well, on the knoll, and enclosing the spring, they had clapped a stout loghouse fit to hold two score of people on a pinch and loopholed for musketry on either side. All round this they had cleared a wide space, and then the thing was completed by a paling six feet high, without door or opening, too strong to pull down without time and labour and too open to shelter the besiegers. The people in the log-house had them in every way; they stood quiet in shelter and shot the...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Strategic Retreat - When Running Forward Means Moving Back
Moving away from immediate conflict to gain control over essential resources and long-term advantage.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between giving up and repositioning for advantage, especially when facing overwhelming opposition.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you feel cornered at work or home—ask yourself 'What's the real resource here?' and look for ways to control that instead of fighting the obvious battle.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Mutineer
A person who rebels against authority, especially sailors who revolt against their ship's officers. In this chapter, half the crew has turned against Captain Smollett and is planning to take the treasure for themselves.
Modern Usage:
We see this in workplace situations when employees band together against management, or when team members undermine their coach or leader.
Stockade
A defensive barrier made of wooden posts, often surrounding a fort or settlement. Dr. Livesey spots an old stockade on the island that could provide protection and access to fresh water.
Modern Usage:
Today we might call this a 'safe house' or 'secure location' - any defensible position during a crisis.
Jolly-boat
A small boat carried on a larger ship, used for short trips to shore or between vessels. The loyal crew uses these boats to escape the ship and reach the island.
Modern Usage:
Like having a backup plan or escape route - your emergency fund, spare car keys, or Plan B when things go wrong.
Anchorage
A place where ships can safely drop anchor and stay put. The doctor describes their current anchorage as diseased and dangerous, adding to their urgent need to escape.
Modern Usage:
Any temporary stopping place that turns toxic - a bad job, unhealthy relationship, or living situation you need to leave.
Forecastle
The front section of a ship where ordinary sailors live and work. The mutineers are gathered here, plotting while the officers remain in the cabin at the back.
Modern Usage:
Like the break room or parking lot where disgruntled employees gather to complain about management.
Gig
Another type of small boat used for transportation between ship and shore. The mutineers have taken the gigs to the island, leaving the loyal crew with limited options.
Modern Usage:
When someone takes the only car, or controls the main resource everyone needs - limiting other people's choices.
Characters in This Chapter
Dr. Livesey
Narrator and strategic leader
Takes over telling the story and proves to be the most level-headed of the loyal crew. He spots the strategic value of the island's stockade and fresh water supply, then helps plan their dangerous escape from the ship.
Modern Equivalent:
The crisis manager who stays calm under pressure and sees the big picture
Captain Smollett
Military commander
Maintains discipline and authority even in this desperate situation. He agrees to Dr. Livesey's risky plan to abandon ship because he recognizes good strategy when he sees it.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced supervisor who knows when to take calculated risks
Hunter
Loyal crew member
Brings the alarming news that Jim has disappeared, then volunteers to go ashore with Dr. Livesey on a dangerous scouting mission. Shows courage and loyalty under pressure.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable coworker who delivers bad news honestly and steps up when things get tough
Abraham Gray
Fence-sitter turned ally
One of the sailors who had been undecided about which side to join. When he sees real leadership and a solid plan, he finally commits to the loyal crew.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who stays neutral in workplace drama until they see who the real leaders are
Jim Hawkins
Missing catalyst
Though not present in this chapter, his disappearance creates additional urgency and worry for the loyal crew, forcing them to act without knowing his fate.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member whose risky behavior forces everyone else to make hard decisions
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Had there been a breath of wind, we should have fallen on the six mutineers who were left aboard with us, slipped our cable, and away to sea."
Context: Explaining why they can't simply sail away from their problems
Shows how external circumstances can trap you even when you know what you want to do. Sometimes the timing just isn't right for the obvious solution, forcing you to find another way.
In Today's Words:
If we'd had any luck at all, we could have overpowered the troublemakers and gotten out of there.
"Waiting was a strain, and it was decided that Hunter and I should go ashore with the jolly-boat in quest of information."
Context: When they realize sitting around is making things worse
Demonstrates that sometimes action, even risky action, is better than passive waiting. Information gathering becomes a form of taking control when you feel powerless.
In Today's Words:
We couldn't just sit there doing nothing anymore, so we decided to go find out what was really happening.
"If ever a man smelt fever and dysentery, it was in that abominable anchorage."
Context: Describing the unhealthy conditions of their current location
Uses his medical knowledge to emphasize that staying put isn't just strategically dangerous - it's literally toxic. Sometimes your environment is slowly killing you even if it seems safer than moving.
In Today's Words:
This place was a disease waiting to happen - we had to get out of there.
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Dr. Livesey takes command through calm decision-making and strategic thinking rather than rank or force
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters where leadership was about authority—now it's about competence under pressure
In Your Life:
Real leadership emerges in crisis when someone can see clearly while others panic.
Class
In This Chapter
The educated doctor's military and medical background gives him advantages in crisis that working sailors lack
Development
Continues the theme of how different backgrounds provide different survival tools
In Your Life:
Your professional training and life experience become your survival tools in unexpected situations.
Loyalty
In This Chapter
Abraham Gray finally chooses sides when he sees genuine leadership and clear action
Development
Builds on earlier loyalty conflicts—people follow competence and clear direction over just friendship
In Your Life:
People's loyalty often goes to whoever provides the clearest path forward, not just the nicest person.
Resources
In This Chapter
Water becomes more valuable than weapons or treasure because it's essential for survival
Development
Introduced here as a new way of thinking about what really matters in conflict
In Your Life:
In any crisis, identify what people actually need versus what they think they want.
Timing
In This Chapter
The crew succeeds because they act decisively when the mutineers are distracted and disorganized
Development
Builds on earlier themes about seizing moments—but now it's about strategic timing, not just opportunity
In Your Life:
The best time to make your move is often when your opponents are focused elsewhere.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Dr. Livesey makes a crucial observation about the stockade having fresh water while the mutineers don't. What does this tell us about how he approaches problems differently than others?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Abraham Gray finally choose to join the loyal crew at this moment? What does his decision reveal about how people respond to leadership during crisis?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a time when you had to choose between fighting a battle head-on or finding a different approach. How did you decide, and what happened?
application • medium - 4
In your workplace or community, when have you seen someone 'retreat' strategically to gain a better position later? What made their approach successful?
application • deep - 5
Dr. Livesey focuses on controlling water while others think about treasure or immediate threats. What does this teach us about how successful people think differently during crisis?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Strategic Resources
Think of a current challenge you're facing - at work, in relationships, or with finances. List all the obvious 'battles' everyone focuses on, then identify the hidden resource that actually controls the situation (like Dr. Livesey spotting the water source). Map out how you could position yourself to control or access that key resource.
Consider:
- •Look beyond the obvious conflict to find what everyone actually needs
- •Consider what you could 'give up' tactically to gain strategic advantage
- •Think about timing - when would be the best moment to make your move
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you walked away from a fight or argument, only to realize later it was the smartest thing you could have done. What did you learn about choosing your battles?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 17: When Everything Goes Wrong at Once
The coming pages reveal to adapt when your original plan becomes impossible, and teach us teamwork matters most when resources are scarce. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.