Treasure Island: Chapter 30 Summary & Analysis

All are awakened the next morning by the doctor’s voice. Jim is glad to hear it but also feels ashamed. Silver greets the doctor cheerfully, telling him that a little stranger has arrived. The doctor asks disbelievingly if it’s Jim, and Silver concurs. The doctor pauses, shocked, but then says he’ll do his duty first. He tends to Merry, saying he’ll do all he can to save him for the gallows. He dispenses medications to the others before asking Silver to have a word with Jim outside: he leaves. Merry sputters, “No!” but Silver orders him to be silent, and asks Jim for his word of honor not to run away. Jim gives it, and he begins to head outside with Silver. But the pirates roar with disapproval, accusing Silver of playing double (a charge Jim can’t imagine Silver will successfully evade). Still, Silver defends himself handily, saying he’ll keep the doctor till he no longer needs him, then kill Livesey himself.

Jim and Silver advance across the sand to where the doctor is waiting. Silver tells the doctor that Jim will tell him how Silver saved his life and was given the black spot for it: he hopes the doctor will take this into account in judging Silver. Never has the pirate seemed more in earnest: Dr. Livesey asks if he’s afraid, and Silver declares he’s no coward, but wants to avoid the gallows all the same. He leaves them.

The doctor greets Jim sadly, saying he can’t truly blame him, but it was cowardly for him to slip off while Smollett was unwell. Jim begins to cry, saying that he’s blamed himself enough: he’s willing, now, to die, but is only afraid of torture. In a changed voice, the doctor suggests that they run for it, but Jim says he’s given his word, and cannot. He tells the doctor where he’s hidden the ship, and that he worries he might let the location slip if the pirates torture him.

When Jim tells the doctor of his adventures, the doctor marvels that at every turn it’s been Jim who has saved their lives. In return, he says, they’ll be sure to protect him. Livesey also starts to mention Ben Gunn, but at that moment Silver returns, and the doctor tells him not to hurry after the treasure. Silver replies that only by doing so can he hope to save his life and Jim’s. In that case, the doctor says, he must watch out for “squalls,” or violent cries. He won’t say any more, despite Silver’s protest, but promises to do his best to save Silver if they both survive. Livesey sets off.