# Silver’s Embassy explained — Treasure Island

> Chapter companion for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

Silver approaches the stockade under a flag of truce to negotiate with Captain Smollett. He offers terms: the treasure map in exchange for either safe passage or a share of supplies. Smollett refuses, threatens to put a bullet in Silver's back, and orders him to leave. Silver departs in a rage, vowing to destroy the blockhouse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Silver's embassy highlights the divide between the loyal party and the mutineers, with Smollett refusing to trust Silver's promises.

### Courage and Cowardice

Smollett stands firm against Silver's threats, while Silver's rage and bluster mask his desperation.

### Deception and Disguise

Silver's flag of truce is a potential cover for treachery, and his smooth talk contrasts with his true intentions.

## Character check-ins

### Jim Hawkins

Jim is on sentry duty, observing the parley and recalling Ben Gunn's words.

### Long John Silver

Silver leads the parley, dressed in his best, and attempts to negotiate for the treasure map.

### Captain Smollett

Smollett firmly rejects Silver's terms, threatens him, and orders him out of the stockade.

### Doctor Livesey

Livesey is assigned to watch the north side during the parley.

### Abraham Gray

Gray is posted on the west side and is mentioned by Silver as having escaped from the mutineers.

## Key lines

> Sure enough, there were two men just outside the stockade, one of them waving a white cloth; the other, no less a person than Silver himself, standing placidly by.

Two men stood outside the fort; one waved a white flag, and the other was Silver, calm and composed.

_Describes the start of the parley._

> I have not the slightest desire to talk to you. If you wish to talk to me, you can come, that’s all. If there’s any treachery, it’ll be on your side, and the Lord help you.

Smollett says he doesn't want to talk, but allows Silver to enter, warning that any trickery will be Silver's fault.

_Smollett's cautious response to Silver's request for a parley._

> You give us the chart to get the treasure by, and drop shooting poor seamen, and stoving of their heads in while asleep. You do that and we’ll offer you a choice.

Silver proposes that if they hand over the map and stop attacking, he will give them a choice of joining his crew or staying on the island with supplies.

_Silver's main offer during the negotiation._

> If you’ll come up one by one, unarmed, I’ll engage to clap you all in irons, and to take you home to a fair trial in England. If you won’t, my name is Alexander Smollett, I’ve flown my sovereign’s colors, and I’ll see you all to Davy Jones.

Smollett counters by demanding the mutineers surrender unarmed for trial, or he will fight them to the death.

_Smollett's firm rejection of Silver's terms._

## Links

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