Treasure Island · Chapter
The Last of the Blind Man explained
Jim Hawkins watches from hiding as Pew and his gang of buccaneers raid the Admiral Benbow, searching for Captain Flint's treasure map.
What happens
Jim Hawkins watches from hiding as Pew and his gang of buccaneers raid the Admiral Benbow, searching for Captain Flint's treasure map. After finding the sea chest already opened and Bill Bones dead, they realize the map is missing. A quarrel breaks out among the pirates, and they are scattered by the arrival of revenue officers on horseback. In the chaos, Pew is trampled to death. Jim joins Mr. Dance and rides to Doctor Livesey's house, carrying the treasure map in his pocket.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Morality
The pirates' desperate search for Flint's treasure map, even after finding the money, shows greed overriding reason and morality.
Courage and Cowardice
Jim's bravery in hiding and observing contrasts with the pirates' cowardice in deserting Pew and fleeing at the first sign of danger.
Superstition and Fear
The pirates' fear of the approaching revenue officers and their superstitious regard for Flint's map drive their actions.
Characters to notice
- Jim Hawkins
Observes the raid from hiding, later joins Mr. Dance to report to Doctor Livesey.
- Pew
The blind beggar leads the raid, is deserted by his men, and is trampled to death by horses.
- Billy Bones
Found dead by the pirates; his body is searched for the map.
- Black Dog
Named among the pirates Pew calls for during the retreat.
- Mr. Dance
Revenue officer who arrives with his men, scatters the pirates, and later takes Jim to Doctor Livesey.
- Dogger
Rides with Jim behind him on the way to Doctor Livesey's house.
Key passages
“Down with the door!”
Break down the door!
Pew commands his men to force entry into the Admiral Benbow.
“They've been before us. Someone's turned the chest out alow and aloft.”
Someone has already searched the chest from top to bottom.
A pirate reports that the sea chest has already been rifled.
“I'm to be a poor, crawling beggar, sponging for rum, when I might be rolling in a coach!”
I'll end up a miserable beggar begging for rum instead of being wealthy and riding in a carriage.
Pew laments his potential fate if the treasure map is not found.