Analysis
At this point in the book, it is relevant to consider the fact that Robert Louis Stevenson used real men from history to model the pirates from. Although he is a larger than life creation, Long John Silver was inspired by the pirate Henly. Having lost a leg, Henly provided a physical disability that would become an integral part of pirate lore. Many critics also believe that Silver's surname was suggested while he was on his honeymoon, part of which was spent at the Silverado mine in California. Other characters might have also had historical precursors, including Ben Gun (Benjamin Gunn of Rio Pun go), Blind Pew (Thomas Pew, admiral of the pirate fleet at Madagascar), and Darby McGraw (Darby Mullins, who was hanged with Captain Kidd in the early 18th century).