# Narrative Continued by the Doctor—The Jolly-Boat’s Last Trip explained — Treasure Island

> Chapter companion for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

The doctor narrates the perilous fifth trip of the jolly-boat, overloaded with men and supplies, as the ebb tide sweeps them off course. They face the threat of the pirates manning the long nine gun on the Hispaniola. Squire Trelawney fires at Israel Hands but misses, hitting another pirate. The boat is swamped by the gun's shot, forcing the crew to wade ashore with lost stores and only two serviceable guns, while pirates approach from the woods.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Cowardice

The loyal party shows steady courage under fire, while the pirates' fallen comrade is ignored.

### Good versus Evil

The doctor's party represents order and loyalty against the mutineers' treachery and violence.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Livesey

Narrator and steersman of the jolly-boat; keeps his powder dry and leads the party ashore.

### Captain Smollett

Commands the boat's trim and strategy; orders Trelawney to shoot Hands.

### Squire Trelawney

Cold and steady; fires the shot that misses Hands but hits another pirate.

### Tom Redruth

Rows with the captain; helps back the boat to avoid the gun's shot.

### Abraham Gray

Sits in the foresheets and reports the current slackening; treated as one of the loyal party.

### Israel Hands

Flint's gunner; seen loading and aiming the long nine gun on the Hispaniola.

## Key lines

> If I durst, said the captain, I'd stop and pick off another man.

The captain wished he could pause and shoot another pirate.

_Captain Smollett's tactical restraint despite the opportunity._

> We had entirely forgotten the long nine; and there, to our horror, were the five rogues busy about her, getting off her jacket.

They had overlooked the cannon, and now saw five pirates preparing it for action.

_The sudden realization of the gun's threat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xvii-narrative-continued-by-the-doctor-the-jolly-boat-s-last-trip
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters