Summary
Jim reunites with his friends at the stockade, but not before Ben Gunn delivers cryptic messages about having "reasons of his own" and knowing something important. The marooned sailor insists on meeting with the "gentlemen" on his terms, revealing how isolation has made him both shrewd and desperate for control over his situation. When cannon fire erupts, Jim witnesses the pirates' drunken celebration from afar before making his way to the fortified log house where his companions have taken refuge. The stockade offers protection but harsh conditions - sand everywhere, smoke-filled air, and the sobering presence of Tom Redruth's body awaiting burial. Captain Smollett proves his leadership by keeping everyone occupied with essential tasks rather than letting them dwell on their dire circumstances. The doctor shows unexpected kindness by carrying Parmesan cheese specifically for Ben Gunn, demonstrating how small gestures of humanity matter in desperate times. Their situation is grim - low supplies mean they'll starve before rescue arrives, so their only hope is to pick off the pirates one by one. Yet they have two powerful allies: rum is making their enemies reckless, and the unhealthy marsh where the pirates are camped will likely sicken many of them. The chapter ends with Jim finally getting much-needed rest, only to wake to a shocking development - Silver himself approaches under a flag of truce.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
Long John Silver arrives at the stockade for a face-to-face negotiation, but what could the cunning pirate leader possibly want to discuss? His unexpected diplomatic approach suggests either desperation or a dangerous new strategy.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Narrative Resumed by Jim Hawkins: The Garrison in the Stockade As soon as Ben Gunn saw the colours he came to a halt, stopped me by the arm, and sat down. “Now,” said he, “there’s your friends, sure enough.” “Far more likely it’s the mutineers,” I answered. “That!” he cried. “Why, in a place like this, where nobody puts in but gen’lemen of fortune, Silver would fly the Jolly Roger, you don’t make no doubt of that. No, that’s your friends. There’s been blows too, and I reckon your friends has had the best of it; and here they are ashore in the old stockade, as was made years and years ago by Flint. Ah, he was the man to have a headpiece, was Flint! Barring rum, his match were never seen. He were afraid of none, not he; on’y Silver--Silver was that genteel.” “Well,” said I, “that may be so, and so be it; all the more reason that I should hurry on and join my friends.” “Nay, mate,” returned Ben, “not you. You’re a good boy, or I’m mistook; but you’re on’y a boy, all told. Now, Ben Gunn is fly. Rum wouldn’t bring me there, where you’re going--not rum wouldn’t, till I see your born gen’leman and gets it on his word of honour. And you won’t forget my words; ‘A precious sight (that’s what you’ll say), a precious sight more confidence’--and then nips him.” And he pinched me the third time with the same air of cleverness. “And when Ben Gunn is wanted, you know where to find him, Jim. Just wheer you found him today. And him that comes is to have a white thing in his hand, and he’s to come alone. Oh! And you’ll say this: ‘Ben Gunn,’ says you, ‘has reasons of his own.’” “Well,” said I, “I believe I understand. You have something to propose, and you wish to see the squire or the doctor, and you’re to be found where I found you. Is that all?” “And when? says you,” he added. “Why, from about noon observation to about six bells.” “Good,” said I, “and now may I go?” “You won’t forget?” he inquired anxiously. “Precious sight, and reasons of his own, says you. Reasons of his own; that’s the mainstay; as between man and man. Well, then”--still holding me--“I reckon you can go, Jim. And, Jim, if you was to see Silver, you wouldn’t go for to sell Ben Gunn? Wild horses wouldn’t draw it from you? No, says you. And if them pirates camp ashore, Jim, what would you say but there’d be widders in the morning?” Here he was interrupted by a loud report, and a cannonball came tearing through the trees and pitched in the sand not a hundred yards from where we two were talking. The next moment each of us had taken to his heels in a different direction. For a good hour to come frequent reports shook the island, and balls kept crashing...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Strategic Patience - When Waiting Becomes Your Weapon
When outmatched, your greatest weapon is creating sustainable systems while letting time and your opponents' weaknesses work in your favor.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to assess who really holds power in crisis situations and how that power shifts over time.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone seems to be winning but is actually in a weaker position than they appear—watch for unsustainable behaviors or dependencies.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Jolly Roger
The black pirate flag with skull and crossbones that pirates flew to identify themselves and strike fear into their victims. In this chapter, Ben Gunn explains that real pirates would fly this flag, not the British colors they see at the stockade.
Modern Usage:
We still use this term for any symbol that clearly identifies someone as dangerous or rebellious.
Gentlemen of fortune
A polite euphemism for pirates - criminals who made their living by stealing from ships and coastal towns. Ben Gunn uses this ironic term to describe the kind of men who visit Treasure Island.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we might call drug dealers 'entrepreneurs' or con artists 'businessmen' - using fancy language to dress up criminal activity.
Stockade
A defensive fort made of wooden posts or logs, built years earlier by Captain Flint's crew. It provides protection but harsh living conditions for Jim's group.
Modern Usage:
Any fortified safe space where people hole up during danger, like a panic room or secure compound.
Flag of truce
A white flag carried to show you want to talk, not fight - a universal signal that you're approaching peacefully for negotiation. Silver uses this at the chapter's end.
Modern Usage:
Any clear signal that someone wants to negotiate rather than continue a conflict, like calling for a meeting during a workplace dispute.
Word of honour
A solemn promise that a gentleman was expected to keep no matter what, considered more binding than any written contract. Ben Gunn insists on getting this from Jim's companions.
Modern Usage:
Still used today when someone wants absolute assurance - 'Give me your word' - though it carries less weight than it once did.
Garrison
A group of soldiers stationed at a fort to defend it. Jim's small group has turned the stockade into their defensive position against the pirates.
Modern Usage:
Any small group holding down a position under siege, like employees staying late to meet an impossible deadline.
Characters in This Chapter
Ben Gunn
Wild card ally
The marooned sailor who's been alone for years but has crucial knowledge about the island. He's eager to help but insists on doing things his way, showing how isolation has made him both valuable and difficult to manage.
Modern Equivalent:
The eccentric coworker who knows where all the bodies are buried
Jim Hawkins
Young protagonist
Serves as messenger between Ben Gunn and the adults, showing his growing importance to the group. He's exhausted and overwhelmed but still trying to do his part in this dangerous situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The youngest team member who gets stuck with the hardest jobs
Captain Smollett
Military leader
Takes charge of the stockade by keeping everyone busy with essential tasks rather than letting them panic. His leadership style focuses on practical action over emotional comfort.
Modern Equivalent:
The crisis manager who keeps everyone focused during emergencies
Dr. Livesey
Compassionate authority
Shows unexpected thoughtfulness by bringing Parmesan cheese specifically for Ben Gunn, demonstrating how small acts of kindness matter in desperate times.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who remembers your birthday during the worst work crisis
Long John Silver
Cunning antagonist
Appears at the chapter's end under a flag of truce, showing his intelligence in trying negotiation before more violence. His approach suggests he knows something that gives him confidence.
Modern Equivalent:
The smooth-talking opponent who calls for a meeting when they think they hold all the cards
Key Quotes & Analysis
"You're a good boy, or I'm mistook; but you're on'y a boy, all told."
Context: Ben explains why Jim can't be his messenger to the adults
Shows how age and experience create barriers even among allies. Ben recognizes Jim's good character but knows the adults won't take a child's word seriously in life-or-death negotiations.
In Today's Words:
You're a good kid, but you're still just a kid - the grown-ups need to hear this from another grown-up.
"A precious sight more confidence - and then nips him."
Context: Ben's cryptic message for Jim to deliver to the gentlemen
Reveals Ben's desperation to control his situation after years of powerlessness. He's created elaborate conditions for his help, showing how isolation can make people both shrewd and paranoid.
In Today's Words:
Tell them I've got way more to offer than they think - and make sure they get the hint.
"If we can't get away nigh whole, it's God's will that some of us witness for him and the rest of us treasure for the fishes."
Context: Explaining their grim situation to the group
Shows Smollett's realistic but determined leadership style. He doesn't sugarcoat their chances but frames their struggle in terms of duty and honor, giving meaning to potential sacrifice.
In Today's Words:
If we don't all make it out alive, at least some of us will live to tell the story, and the rest will have died fighting the good fight.
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Smollett keeps everyone focused on essential tasks rather than dwelling on their desperate situation, showing how real leaders manage morale through purposeful action
Development
Evolution from earlier chapters where leadership was about commands; here it's about psychological management and long-term thinking
In Your Life:
You might see this when a good supervisor keeps the team busy during layoffs instead of letting everyone spiral into panic
Class
In This Chapter
The doctor brings Parmesan cheese specifically for Ben Gunn, showing how small gestures of recognition can bridge class divides
Development
Developed from earlier themes about social hierarchy; now showing how crisis reveals who truly values human dignity
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone remembers your preferences during a stressful time, showing they see you as more than your job title
Control
In This Chapter
Ben Gunn insists on meeting the 'gentlemen' on his terms, showing how powerless people create small areas of control
Development
Building on earlier themes of who has power; now exploring how the powerless negotiate for dignity
In Your Life:
You might see this when you insist on specific conditions before helping someone who usually ignores you
Survival
In This Chapter
The harsh reality of the stockade - sand, smoke, death - contrasted with the pirates' drunken celebration shows different approaches to crisis
Development
Introduced here as the central tension between immediate comfort and long-term survival
In Your Life:
You might see this choosing between a fun but unstable job and a difficult but secure one
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Small acts of kindness (the cheese) and keeping people busy with meaningful work show how relationships sustain us through crisis
Development
Evolution from earlier focus on loyalty and betrayal; now showing how relationships require active maintenance
In Your Life:
You might see this when someone checks on you during your hardest days, not just when things are good
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What advantages does Captain Smollett identify that his small group has over the larger pirate crew, and how does he plan to use time as a weapon?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Smollett keep everyone busy with tasks like organizing supplies and maintaining the stockade instead of planning immediate attacks on the pirates?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a situation where you felt outnumbered or overwhelmed - at work, in your family, or in your community. What 'advantages' might time have given you that you didn't recognize at first?
application • medium - 4
When facing a powerful opponent (difficult boss, toxic family member, bureaucratic system), how could you apply Smollett's strategy of 'strategic patience' instead of direct confrontation?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between people who create their own problems (like the drinking pirates) and those who position themselves to benefit when others self-destruct?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Strategic Patience Opportunity
Think of a current situation where you feel outmatched or under pressure to act quickly. Write down what immediate actions you're tempted to take, then identify what advantages time might give you. List three things working against your 'opponents' that you don't need to fight directly, and three systems you could build to strengthen your position while you wait.
Consider:
- •What self-destructive patterns do you see in the other party that time will amplify?
- •What can you control and improve about your own situation while waiting?
- •How might rushing into action actually weaken your long-term position?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone who seemed more powerful than you eventually defeated themselves through their own poor choices. What did you learn about the power of patience and positioning?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: The Failed Negotiation
In the next chapter, you'll discover to maintain authority during high-stakes negotiations, and learn showing weakness invites exploitation. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.