# XLV explained — The Mysterious Island

> Chapter companion for The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The colonists prepare for an attack by the pirate brig Speedy. Cyrus Smith devises a defensive plan, dividing the group into three posts: at the Chimneys, the mouth of the Mercy, and the islet. The pirates launch two boats; Ayrton and Pencroff open fire from the islet, while Neb and Spilett shoot from the Mercy. Several convicts are killed or wounded, and the pirates retreat. The Speedy then weighs anchor and approaches the shore, threatening the colonists with its cannons.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Self-Reliance

The colonists rely on their own skills and resources to defend against the pirate attack.

### Community and Cooperation

The colonists work together under Smith's leadership, each taking a post to maximize their defensive strength.

## Character check-ins

### Cyrus Smith

Devises the defensive plan and directs the colonists from the Chimneys.

### Pencroff

Posts on the islet with Ayrton; fires on the pirate boat and later retreats to the Chimneys.

### Ayrton

Accompanies Pencroff on the islet; shoots the helmsman and the man with the line.

### Neb

Hides at the mouth of the Mercy with Spilett; fires on the second pirate boat.

### Gideon Spilett

Posts at the Mercy with Neb; uses a carbine to shoot at the pirates.

### Herbert Brown

Stays with Smith at the Chimneys; armed with a shotgun.

### Top

Not mentioned in this chapter.

## Key lines

> Listen, my friends," then said the engineer. "These are the dispositions it seems to me best to make before the mist dispels, which conceals us from view. We must make these convicts believe that the inhabitants of the island are numerous and well able to resist them.

The engineer outlined a plan to use the mist as cover and make the convicts think the island had many defenders.

_Cyrus Smith's strategic briefing to the colonists._

> In a moment burst forth a double flash and report. The helmsman and the man with the line fell over into the boat. Ayrton and Pencroff had done their work.

Two shots rang out simultaneously, killing the helmsman and the man with the sounding line; Ayrton and Pencroff had fired.

_The first successful attack on the pirate boat from the islet._

> What do you think of the situation, Mr. Smith?" said Pencroff. "I think," said the engineer, "that unless these rascals are very stupid, the battle will soon take a new form.

Pencroff asked Smith's opinion, and Smith replied that the pirates would likely change their tactics soon.

_Smith anticipates a shift in the battle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters/xlv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_island_se/chapters