I went to the galley and found a bottle of rum. Two more dead pirates were lying in there. I took a drink to the man on the deck.
“thanks, boy ‘ said the wounded sailor. ‘where are we heading ?
I looked across the sea. I could see Treasure Island. The ship had drifted north in the night.
‘ I can see the island, ‘ I said. ‘ I will steer the Hispaniola onto the north shore. The wind is blowing that way. I will run the ship onto the sandy beach.’
I went to the ship’s wheel. I had not steered the ship before, but I had seen how it was done. Treasure island lay ahead. I had to keep the ship moving straight ahead. I tried to keep the ship moving towards the north shore of the island. The pirates were on the south shore of the island. I tried to steer straight for the beach.
All the time the wounded pirate watched me. After a while he came slowly across the deck towards me. “I’ ll help you, he said.
He pointed to a sandy beach in a bay. ‘ take the ship into that bay,’ he said. ‘the water is shallow because the tide is out. The Hispaniola will stay on the sand. When the tide comes in the water will get deeper. Then the ship will float off the sand.’
I did as he told me and steered for the beach. I tried to watch him too. The pirate was wounded, but he was still dangerous.
We had almost reached the shore when the pirate stood up. He had a knife in his hand. He moved towards me swinging his knife. I had a pair of pistols in my belt. I took out a pistol and pointed it at him. ‘Don’t come any closer.’I said. ‘ or ‘I’ shoor.
The pirate smiled and moved forward. I closed my eyes and fired the pistiol.
Nothing happened.
The pirate laughed and came towards me. I knew he was going to kill me.
At that moment the Hispaniola ran onto the beach and stoppend suddenly. The pirate and I fell onto the deck.
I jumped up quickly. Where could I run? Where could I hide ? there was nowhere to go – except up!
I started to climb the ropes of the mainmast.
The pirate threw his knife, but it did not hit me. I climbed up the mainmast quickly. I was very afraid.