Chapter 30: On Parole
The pirates sleep contently the rest of the night. Early the next morning, the sentry announces that Doctor Livesey has arrived, here to check up on the pirates he treated yesterday.
Silver—perhaps unsurprisingly—acts perfectly chummy with the doctor, cheerfully wishing the former foe a good morning. He also informs Livesey that Jim showed up in the middle of the night, alive and well. The doctor is visibly taken aback by this news, but he wisely decides to conduct his original business first, giving him time to consider this hostage situation he’s walked in on.
You’d never know that Livesey was alone and outnumbered by his bedside manner, for he’s clearly amused by any injuries and illnesses they’ve sustained and scolds them for the misfortunes they’ve brought upon themselves. For their part, the dangerous, ruthless pirates take this admonishment with their tails tucked between their legs.
Then, Livesey asks if he can talk privately with Jim. Silver assents on two conditions: one, that Jim gives his word of honor that he won’t run away; and two, that Livesey has to leave the grounds first, and then he can talk to Jim through the stockade at the edge.
As soon as Livesey leaves the cabin, the pirates are in an uproar again:
Silver was roundly accused of playing double—of trying to make a separate peace for himself, of sacrificing the interests of his accomplices and victims, and, in one word, of the identical, exact thing that he was doing.
In retort, he basically goes through all the same motions as he did the previous night: demeaning them, making excuses, promising treasure, etc., to such an extent that this sentence is a summary of a summary. Jim knows that we’re familiar with Silver’s style by now. The pirates aren’t particularly convinced, but their captain is so animated that they’re mostly just too flustered to push back… which might be about as good as Silver can hope for at this point.
Leaving the pirates alone in the cabin, Silver chaperones Jim down to the stockade where Livesey is waiting. Before giving them privacy, however, Silver addresses Livesey, admitting his tenuous position and hoping that, through his civility and his protection of Jim, the doctor can see some good in him yet. Then, Silver allows the two to talk, sitting just out of earshot.
Although Livesey can’t stay mad at the boy, he does shame Jim for his cowardice, as he never would have had the courage to abandon them had Captain Smollett been in good health. Tearing up, Jim begs Livesey to go easy on him, as he’s felt guilty about it this whole time; and anyway, he’s already suffering the consequences of his actions. He tells Livesey that if it hadn’t been for Silver’s intervention, he’d be dead already… but even death would be preferable to what he fears is coming. There’s a very real chance that the pirates will torture him to learn where he hid the Hispaniola, and that frightens him more than anything.
“Jump the fence and we’ll run for it,” orders a suddenly very somber Livesey. But Jim can’t. He gave his word that he wouldn’t.
…Jim. Jim, what the shit. They’re probably going to cut off your pinkies and smash your kneecaps in, but somehow that’s better than going back on your word. This kid, I swear to god.
Not even Livesey’s offer to absorb the cosmic ramifications of a take-backsie himself is enough to sway Jim, who tells the doctor of his adventures and, more importantly, where the ship is landed. Livesey commends Jim on repeatedly saving their skin, mentioning a few of the lad’s exploits, one of which was the discovery of Ben Gunn. Invoking Ben’s name then causes him to remember something, and this is the last he says to Jim.
Instead, he calls Silver over, then warns him not to go after the treasure too quickly. But Silver claims he has no choice in the matter, as Jim’s life is at risk the longer he drags his feet, as is his own. So Livesey offers a second piece of advice: when they do find the treasure, “look out for squalls.”
All of this vagueness and mystery is starting to frustrate Silver about as much as it’s beginning to frustrate me. He recognizes that the doctor has to be leading him on—Livesey has given away every advantage he had to this point, and for what?—and begs for some clue, anything. Still, Livesey offers nothing more except a promise that if they both survive this ordeal, he’ll do what he can to keep Silver from hanging.
Before finally departing, he tells Silver to keep Jim close at hand, and call out should they find themselves in trouble. And with a simple “good-bye” to Jim, he is gone.