Treasure Island
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is an entertaining and exciting book. Its two hundred and seventy-three pages are overflowing with spine-tingling adventure. The story begins when “Captain”, an old buccaneer, comes to stay at the Admiral Benbow, a small country inn. After the Captain has stayed for a number of weeks, he is visited by some old pirate companions. The pirates have used up their money and now they want the Captain’s money. In fear of his life, the Captain tries to escape but fails. He dies from the combined effects of fright and his liberal use of rum.
Hawkins and his mother, the owners of the inn, are now left alone in the Admiral Benbow. In a few hours the pirates will be there. In fright, Hawkins and his mother flee to a neighboring hamlet for safety. However, they foolishly decide to return to the Admiral Benbow in order to retrieve some money that the Captain owed them. When the pirates arrive, Hawkins and his mother barely escape with their lives.
Along with the money, Hawkins and his mother found a treasure map. Together with Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey, Hawkins decides to find the treasure. In order to reach the island that held the treasure, they had to get a ship. Unfortunately, the pirates found out about the treasure trackers and succeeded in joining the crew. While on the way to the island, Hawkins overhears a conversation between the pirates and discovers their plots.
Once on the island, the pirates attack the treasure hunters and kill a number of them. Quickly, Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and their followers take possession of a stockade on the island. The pirates attack the stockade, but are beaten off. Eventually, after a number of invigorating skirmishes, the pirates are beaten and the treasure is found. Leaving some of the remaining pirates on the island, the treasure seekers return home laden with gold. This is an excellent novel, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about pirates, the sea, and good writing.
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