The Stockade Campaign

How the loyal party abandons the ship, fortifies a log-house, and survives the pirates' assault.

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Abandoning the Ship

Abandoning the Ship Context Dr. Livesey hears the death-cry and resolves to move the loyal party ashore. They load the jolly-boat with powder, food, and muskets. Development Abraham Gray joins them at the last moment. The party rows through the current, drops most of their guns in the water, and reaches the stockade just before the pirates. Significance The abandonment leaves the Hispaniola in pirate hands but gives the loyal men a defensible base. It also costs them half their supplies, which will make the coming days a race against time.

Flying the Colours

Flying the Colours Context Inside the old log-house the captain sets up the British flag and begins to take stock. The men bury Tom Redruth, shot during the first skirmish. Development The pirates cannonade the stockade from the ship, but their shots fall short. The captain refuses to strike his colours, even though the flag makes the fort a target. Significance The flag becomes a symbol of defiance. It holds the loyal party together and shows the mutineers that their enemies will not surrender easily.

Silver's Embassy

Silver's Embassy Context Long John Silver arrives under a flag of truce, accompanied by a lieutenant. He offers the loyal party a choice: give up the chart, or be destroyed. Development Captain Smollett refuses every term. Silver leaves in a rage, swearing to storm the stockade within the hour. Significance The embassy lays bare the two sides' irreconcilable positions. It also gives Captain Smollett a chance to test Silver's authority over the mutineers.

The Assault

The Assault Context The mutineers swarm the palisade from the north, with Job Anderson leading. The loyal party fires from covered loopholes. Development The fight becomes hand-to-hand at the door. Dr. Livesey disables one pirate, Gray cuts down Anderson, and the boarders retreat leaving five dead or dying. Significance The attack is a costly victory: Hunter and Joyce are killed or dying, and Captain Smollett is seriously wounded. The mutineers lose more men than they can spare.

Counting the Cost

Counting the Cost Context The smoke clears and the loyal party checks their losses. The captain is wounded, Joyce is dead, Hunter is dying, and only the faithful few are still fit. Development They realize the stores are dangerously low. The doctor decides to risk everything on a secret visit to Ben Gunn, which will soon transform the campaign. Significance The stockade has become a trap as much as a refuge. Counting the cost forces the loyal party to change their strategy from defence to deception.

after Jim goes ashore and the first death cry is heard

the first day in the stockade

the morning after the first night in the stockade

about an hour after Silver leaves the stockade

after the mutineers retreat from the stockade