Jim's Sea Adventure

Jim's solo voyage in Ben Gunn's coracle, his capture of the Hispaniola, and his duel with Israel Hands.

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Finding Ben Gunn's Coracle

Finding Ben Gunn's Coracle Context Jim Hawkins, restless in the hot block house, slips away to find the white rock on the eastern spit. He discovers Ben Gunn's hidden coracle. Development He forms a plan to cut the Hispaniola adrift, preventing the mutineers from sailing away. He waits for darkness and loads his pockets with biscuit. Significance The coracle gives Jim a weapon against the entire pirate crew. His decision to act alone is the boldest step in his transformation.

Cutting the Cable

Cutting the Cable Context Jim Hawkins paddles the unsteady coracle across the ebbing tide toward the anchored Hispaniola. He hears two drunk men quarrelling in the cabin. Development He cuts the anchor cable strand by strand, then is swept against the ship and caught by a trailing rope. The ship drifts out of the anchorage with the current. Significance The cutting of the cable removes the pirates' last means of escape. It also carries Jim into a night of danger that will lead him to the abandoned ship.

Drifting to Sea

Drifting to Sea Context The current carries Jim Hawkins and the Hispaniola through the narrows into the open sea. The coracle is tossed by waves, and Jim lies flat in terror. Development At dawn he finds himself off Haulbowline Head. He learns to ride the coracle by lying still, and slowly works his way northward along the coast. Significance The sea voyage tests Jim's endurance and wit. It isolates him completely, forcing him to rely on instinct and luck to survive.

Boarding the Drifting Ship

Boarding the Drifting Ship Context Jim Hawkins sees the Hispaniola sailing erratically in the wind. Realizing no one is steering, he paddles close and leaps aboard. Development The deck is nearly empty. Israel Hands and another pirate lie wounded and drunk, having killed each other in a quarrel. Jim strikes the Jolly Roger and takes command of the ship. Significance Boarding the drifting ship is an act of almost impossible boldness. It gives the loyal party back their vessel and makes Jim a true captor.

Duel with Israel Hands

Duel with Israel Hands Context Israel Hands offers to help Jim navigate into North Inlet, but Jim suspects treachery. He pretends to fetch wine and catches Hands arming himself with a dirk. Development As the ship runs aground, Hands attacks. Jim escapes up the shrouds, reloads his pistols, and shoots Hands when the pirate hurls his dirk. Hands falls into the water and drowns. Significance The duel completes Jim's transformation from cabin boy to fighter. It also leaves the Hispaniola safely beached for the loyal party to retake.

the evening after the stockade attack

that same night in the darkness of the anchorage

through the night and into the next day

the day after the coracle voyage, when he sees the Hispaniola under sail with no steersman

later that day near North Inlet