# The 'Good Hope' explained — The Black Arrow

> Chapter companion for The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

Dick Shelton, now commanding the Black Arrow fellowship in Ellis Duckworth's absence, plans to rescue Joanna Sedley from Sir Daniel Brackley. He and Lawless steal a ship called the Good Hope from Captain Arblaster by getting him and his man drunk, then binding them. With Lord Foxham's men, they seize the ship and sail into a storm, eventually reaching a stone pier.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Dick Shelton remains loyal to the Black Arrow fellowship and Lord Foxham, while Lawless betrays Captain Arblaster by tricking him to steal his ship.

### Greed and Corruption

Lawless uses the promise of an estate and drink to corrupt Captain Arblaster, exploiting his greed for the ship.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Shelton

Commands affairs in Shoreby in Duckworth's absence; plans to rescue Joanna by stealing a ship.

### Will Lawless

Former shipman who helps steal the Good Hope by getting Captain Arblaster drunk.

### Gossip Arblaster

Captain of the Good Hope; tricked and bound by Lawless and Dick.

### Lord Foxham

Allies with Dick to rescue Joanna; leads followers in the seizure of the ship.

### Ellis Duckworth

Absent from Shoreby; founder of the Black Arrow fellowship, thought to be an agent of the Earl of Warwick.

## Key lines

> Master Dick, if ye would back me, I would agree to steal York Minster.

Lawless boasts that with Dick's support, he would steal even a cathedral.

_Shows Lawless's confidence and willingness to undertake risky theft._

> They call her the Good Hope, of Dartmouth. Her captain, Arblaster by name. He pulleth the bow oar in yon skiff.

The ship is named the Good Hope from Dartmouth, and its captain is Arblaster, who is rowing the skiff.

_Identifies the ship and its captain for the theft plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-good-hope
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters