As this chapter opens, Jim is still in the apple barrel and overhears Long John Silver telling someone else stories about the time he served as Captain Flint's quartermaster. Excitedly, he remembers that he lost his leg at the same time that the pirate Pew lost his sight, in an explosion of gunfire. As he is bragging about his previous exploits, Silver begins to recruit the youngest sailor aboard, calling himself a "gentleman of fortune." Jim is offended that he uses the same words to lure the youngest pirate that he used to gain Jim's friendship. Silver tells the young pirate that the life of a pirate is rough and risky, but worth it because of the great wealth there is to gain. More impressive, he tells, is that after this voyage, because of the money he has saved and the money he plans to garner from this voyage, he is going to retire and live like a gentleman. In the mean time, he has instructed his wife to sell his tavern and take his money to a clandestine location where Silver will meet her after the end of the voyage.
In rough pirate dialogue, a far cry from the language he used when flattering Jim, he brags that he is even more feared than the famous pirate Flint. With these words, the young sailor (named Dick), agrees to become a pirate.
After this conversation, Israel Hand, a despicable man, joins Silver and Dick, inquires when Silver plans the mutiny. Silver's plans to exploit both Captain Smollett's skill at "setting a course" and the squire's and doctor's knowledge of the location of the treasure. The plan is to take the ship over, killing those on board who are not with the pirates, in order that Silver can return to live his perfect life as a gentleman.
At this point in the chapter, Silver orders Dick to get him an apple which scares Jim to death. Luckily, Jim is saved when someone suggests that they have a drink of rum instead. Finally, after the men have their drink, Dick leaves and Silver and Hand discuss the fact that this is the last sailor that will join, a fact that implies that there are still some honest sailors left onboard. At the conclusion of the chapter, Jim sees a bright moon and someone cries, "Land Ho!" because Treasure Island is finally within sight.
Analysis
The dual personality of Long John Silver, something that has been hinted at in the previous parts of the book, is finally revealed in this chapter. Hawkins's attitude towards Long John Silver, becomes not one of reverence and awe, but instead, instantly, one of repugnance, as he remarks, "I think, if I had been able, that I would have killed him through the barrel." He feels betrayed, not only by Long John Silver's involvement with the pirates, but also because of the betrayal of their personal relationship between the Silver and Jim. Jim is most disturbed by the use of the same language that Silver used to talk to him that Silver uses to lure the new young pirate. This turn in the relationship between Silver and Jim marks another significant change in the book, a point at which Jim must again leave behind his childhood and grow up.
The most important literary technique in this chapter is the use of dialogue. The dialogue that the pirates use is some of the most colorful and deliberate of the entire book. For example, consider this scene, a superb use of pirate speech: "Billy was the man for that," said Israel. "Dead men don't bite.' Says he. Well, he's dead no his self; he knows the long and short on it now; and it ever a rough hand come to a port, it was Billy." "Right you are," said Silver; "rough and ready. But mark you here, I'm an easy man - I'm quite the gentleman, says you; but this time it's serious. Dooty is dooty, mates. I give my vote - death. When I'm in Parlyment and riding in my coach, I don't want none of these sea lawyers in the cabin a coming home, unlooked for, like the devil at prayers. Wait is what I say; but when the time comes, why, let her rip!"
The theme between the struggle of good and bad is also set up most brilliantly in this chapter. While there have been hints in the book, like the hints of Long John Silver's true character, in this chapter the true nature of the pirates and their plan of mutiny, as revealed through their dialogue, clearly predicts the future conflict between the "good" and the "bad" on the boat. In addition, Jim's worries that the future of the honest men on the boat also set up this paradigm of conflict between good and bad that will eventually come to pass.