Doctor's Strategy of Deception

Dr. Livesey's hidden alliance with Ben Gunn and his sacrifice of the chart defeat the mutineers without a final battle.

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Worming Out Ben Gunn's Secret

Worming Out Ben Gunn's Secret Context Dr. Livesey brings cheese to the marooned Ben Gunn and draws him into confidence. Development He learns that the treasure has already been dug up and hidden in the cave. The doctor now controls the only true prize. Significance The secret gives the doctor a strategic weapon. He can fight the pirates without risking men for a phantom chest.

Emptying the Stockade

Emptying the Stockade Context Dr. Livesey decides to abandon the block house and move the loyal party, stores, and wounded captain to Ben Gunn's cave. Development He leaves the stockade and its supplies to Silver, letting the pirates think they have won a base. The true fortress is the cave. Significance The strategic retreat is a masterstroke of deception. It gives the doctor freedom of movement and hides the treasure's location.

Giving Silver the Chart

Giving Silver the Chart Context Dr. Livesey hands Long John Silver the treasure chart, knowing the pit is already empty. Development He also gives him stores and a promise of help in exchange for Jim's safety. Silver is suspicious but cannot refuse. Significance The gift is the ultimate deception. It sends the pirates on a pointless hunt while the loyal party guards the real gold.

Luring the Pirates to the Pit

Luring the Pirates to the Pit Context The mutineers race to the tall pine with the chart in hand. Ben Gunn moves ahead to scare them with Flint's voice. Development The doctor and Gray take a diagonal path to be in place for an ambush. Jim is led along as a hostage. Significance The trap is now set. The pirates' greed makes them follow the false map exactly as the doctor intended.

Springing the Ambush

Springing the Ambush Context At the moment George Merry leads a charge against Silver and Jim, the doctor's party fires from the trees. Development Merry falls into the pit, and the surviving mutineers flee. The loyal party takes Silver and Jim safely away. Significance The ambush ends the conflict with minimal bloodshed. The doctor's strategy has turned the pirates' final stroke into their own destruction.

during the stockade fighting

after the first day's fight

during the truce at the stockade

on the treasure-hunt morning

when the pit is found empty and the pirates turn on Silver