# The Last of the Blind Man explained — Treasure Island

> Chapter companion for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/v-the-last-of-the-blind-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters