12 Israel Hands 
　  
　　I lost no time and climbed up the rope on to the deck of the ship．The two men were there，red-cap on his back，Israel Hands against the side，his face white There was dark blood around them on the deck，and I was sure each had killed the other in their drunken fight． 
　　Then Israel Hands turned with a low cry of pain．He looked across at me and whispered one word：‘Rum’． 
　　I went below to the cabin where there were empty bottles on the floor and tobacco smoke filled the air．I found a bottle with some rum left in it，and found some water and some bread and cheese for myself．I took the bottle back on deck，where Hands drank half the rum before taking the bottle from his mouth． 
　　‘By thunder！’he said．‘I wanted some of that．But where have you come from？’ 
　　I've come to take control of this ship，Mr Hands，’I said，‘so please remember I'm your captain．’ 
　　He watched me pull down the Jolly Roger and throw it overboard，then he said，‘I expect you'll want to go ashore now．Suppose we talk about it．’There was some colour back in his cheeks but he looked very sick．‘Who's going to sail the ship now？You can't do it；but if you give me food and drink and a handkerchief to tie up my wound，I'll tell you how to sail her．’ 
　　‘All right，’I agreed．‘We'll go into North Inlet and quietly put her on the beach there．’ 
　　In three minutes I had the Hispaniola sailing easily before the wind，along the coast of Treasure Island．Then I went be-low and got a handkerchief and helped．Hands tie up the great bleeding wound in his leg．He ate a little and drank more of the rum，then he began to look a little better． 
　　We sailed ahead of the wind，the island moving past quickly．After my success，I was less sorry about deserting the stockade．There was only one thing that worried me．It was the way Israel Hands watched me at my work，a cold little smile on his face． 
　　We could not put the ship on the beach when we reached North Inlet because the sea was too high．We had to wait，sit ting in silence over another meal． 
　　‘Cap’n，’Hands said to me，still with that smile on his face，‘my old mate，O’Brien，is dead．Can you throw him overboard？’ 
　　‘I'm not strong enough，’I said． 
　　There was a pause，then he said，‘Well now，would you be very kind and go down to the cabin and fetch me a bottle of wine，Jim？This rum's too strong for my head．’ 
　　I listened to his words but didn't believe them．He wanted me to leave the deck，that was clear，but why？ 
　　‘Wine？’I said．‘Will you have white or red？’ 
　　‘I don't mind，’he said，‘as long as it's strong and there's plenty of it．’ 
　　‘I'll have to search for it，’I told him． 
　　I went below，then took off my shoes and went quietly up the other stairs to watch him．He was on his hands and knees and，although his leg hurt him，he moved quickly across the deck and took a long knife from among some ropes．I could see the blood on it．Then he hid it under his coat and went back to his place． 
　　This was all I needed to know Israel Hands could move about and now had a weapon，and he was going to try to kill me．But I knew that he wouldn't use the knife until the ship was safely on the beach．I went back to the cabin，put my shoes on again，and picked up a bottle of wine．Then I went back up on deck． 
　　He took a long drink from the bottle of wine，saying，Here's luck！’ 
　　Afterwards，we sailed into North Inlet and I forgot to watch Hands carefully．We were nearly on the beach and I was looking over the side of the ship．Perhaps I heard a sound or saw his shadow moving，I don't know．But when I looked round，there he was，half-way towards me with the knife in his right hand！ 
　　He threw himself at me and I jumped to one side，leaving him to fall on the deck．Quickly，I took a pistol from my pocket and aimed it at him----he powder was wet and the pistol didn't fire！He got up and came at me with surprising speed，but suddenly the Hispaniola hit the sand and went over on one side．We were．both thrown down and began to roll across the deck，but I was on my feet first and climbed up into the sails，hand over hand．When I was in a safe place，I loaded my pistols，this time with dry powder． 
　　Hands was pulling himself up among the sails now，the knife between his teeth． 
　　‘One more step，’I said，‘and I'll kill you！’ 
　　‘Jim，’he said．He took the knife from his mouth to speak，and looked beaten．‘We'll have to make peace，you and I．You're too sharp and quick for an old sailor like me…’ 
　　But then，with a sudden movement，his hand went back and something went speeding through the air．I felt a sharp pain，and I was pinned to the mast by my shoulder．In the terrible pain and surprise of the moment，both my pistols went off and fell from my hands． 
　　They did not fall alone．With a cry，Hands fell into the water．He came up，the water around him red from his blood，then he went down again，for ever． 
　　I felt sick and frightened．The blood from my wound ran over my back and chest，and the knife seemed to burn like hot iron．But I was trembling so badly that it shook the knife out of my skin，and I could move again．I climbed down through the sails，then went below to tie up my wound．There was a lot of blood but it wasn't deep．Next，I went up on deck．It was now evening and a light wind was blowing，so I lowered the sails before climbing down a rope and into the sea． 
　　The water was only waist-deep and I walked ashore．The sun had gone now and，once on dry land，I began to walk to the stockade．Perhaps the others would blame me for deserting，I thought，but Captain Smollett would be pleased I had taken the Hispaniola，I was sure． 
　　When I reached the stockade，the house lay in dark shadow．But on the other side，a large fire had almost burned itself out．This seemed strange，as it had not been our habit to build lange fires． 
　　There were no sounds，except for the wind in the trees，and I went quietly round to the eastern side，keeping in the shadows．As I came nearer to the corner of the house，I heard my friends breathing loudly as they slept，and at once felt happier again．I got to the door and looked in，but all was dark and I could see nothing．With my arms out in front of me，I walked in． 
　　Suddenly，there was a high voice screaming in the darkness：‘Pieces of eight！Pieces of eight！Pieces of eight！’It was Silver's parrot，Captain Flint！ 
　　Immediately，men began to wake up，and I heard Silver's voice shout，‘Who's there？’ 
　　I turned to run，crashed violently against one person，then ran straight into the arms of another．  
　　　 
12 伊斯莱尔·汉兹 
　  
　　我不失时机地抓住缆绳，爬上大船的甲板。两个留守的海盗都在甲板上，戴红帽的仰面躺在甲板上，伊斯莱尔·汉兹靠在船舷上，脸色苍白。他们周围的甲板上有斑斑血迹，我断定他们酒醉之后自相残杀，结果同归于尽了。 
　　这时伊斯莱尔·汉兹翻了一下身，痛苦地呻吟了一声。他看了我一眼，吐出一句话：“朗姆酒。” 
　　我下到船舱里，地上全是空瓶，空气中充满了烟味。我发现只有一只瓶子里还有一点酒；我给自己找到一些面包干和干酪。我走上甲板把酒递给汉兹，他一口气就喝下去一半。 
　　“妈的！”他说。“我正需要这个。你是从哪儿来的？” 
　　“我是来接管这条船的，汉兹先生，”我说。“记住，现在我是你的船长。” 
　　他看着我降下了骷髅旗，扔到海里，他说：“我看你是想到岸上去。咱们来谈谈吧。”他的脸上露出一点血色，但还很虚弱。“现在谁来驾船呢？你肯定不行；但如果你给我点吃喝，帮我用一块手帕包扎伤口，我会告诉你如何驾船的。” 
　　“那好吧，”我说。“我要把船开向岛北的水湾，慢慢地登上那里的海滩。” 
　　不到三分钟我就轻而易举地驾着伊斯帕尼奥拉号沿着金银岛顺风而行了。然后我下去找到一条手帕，帮助汉兹包扎他腿上鲜血直流的伤口。他吃了一点东西，又喝了不少酒，看起来比刚才好多了。 
　　我们乘风航行，岛上的景物迅速向后退去。我终于成功了，因而对不辞而别的内疚也减少了许多。只有一件事让我担心，那就是汉兹看我干活的表情，他的脸上总带着冷笑。 
　　因为海水太深，当我们到达北部水湾时，我们没法让船冲上岸滩。于是我们默默地坐下来，一边吃些东西一边等待。 
　　“船长先生，”汉兹对我说，脸上还带着狡诈的笑，“我的老伙伴奥布赖恩已经死了。你能把他扔到海里去吗？” 
　　“我没这么大力气，”我说。 
　　他顿了一下对我说：“那么，你现在下去给我找一瓶葡萄酒来怎么样？这朗姆酒劲儿太大了。” 
　　我听明白他的话，但一点都不信他。显然，他要我离开甲板，但为什么呢？ 
　　“葡萄酒？”我问。“要白的还是红的？” 
　　“都行，”他说，“只要多一些，有点劲就行。” 
　　“好吧，我去找一找，”我说。 
　　我跑下去，然后脱下鞋爬上梯子看他。他用两手和两个膝盖爬行。尽管腿受伤了，他还是爬得很快，然后从甲板上一盘缆绳下面找出一把长刀。我可以看见上面的血迹。然后他把刀藏在衣服下面，回到原处。 
　　这正是我需要知道的一切。伊斯莱尔·汉兹能够爬行而且他现在有了武器，他想杀掉我。但我相信在伊斯帕尼奥拉号安全抵达沙滩之前他不会杀我的。我回到船舱，穿上鞋，找到一瓶葡萄酒回到甲板上。 
　　他拿起酒瓶喝了个痛快，嘴里喊着：“百事如意！” 
　　然后，我们把船驶往北部水湾，我也忘了注意汉兹。我们快到海滩了，我向船侧面望了一下。也许我听见了什么声音或看见了他的影子在动，当我回过头去的时候，汉兹右手举着刀都快到我眼前了！ 
　　他扑向我而我跳到一旁，他摔倒在甲板上。我迅速地掏出手枪瞄准他——但是火药受潮了，枪没响！他起身以惊人的速度向我扑过来，正在这时伊斯帕尼奥拉号突然搁浅，向一侧倾斜。我们都失去平衡，滚向一边，但我先站起来一跃，两手交替着爬上桅杆。我爬到安全的地方，把手枪换上干火药。 
　　汉兹嘴里衔着刀，也慢慢地爬向桅杆。 
　　“你要再上来一步，”我说，“我就杀了你。” 
　　“吉姆，”他说，从口中取下长刀，“咱们来讲和吧，像我这样一个老海员斗不过你这样身手矫捷的年轻人……” 
　　但是突然，他的手向后一挥，就见一件东西嗖的一声飞过来。我感到一阵剧痛，我的肩膀被钉在了桅杆上。就在这巨痛和吃惊之际，我的双枪响了，随即枪也从手中滑落。 
　　掉下去的不光是两枝枪。汉兹大叫一声，掉到了水里。他先是浮上来，血把周围的水染红了，然后又沉下去，永远上不来了。 
　　我感到一阵恐惧和恶心。血从我的伤口流到背上和胸上，那把长刀像火红的烙铁在我的肩膀上。我使劲地发抖，以至于那把刀掉下去了，我又可以动了。我顺着桅杆溜下来，到船舱包扎好伤口。我流了很多血，但伤得不深。然后我来到甲板上。现在已经是晚上了，微风轻拂，我降下帆，然后顺着一条绳子下到海里。 
　　海水仅及我的腰部，我向岸上走去。太阳已经落山了，我一上岸就直奔寨子而去。也许别人会指责我逃跑，我琢磨着，可是斯摩列特船长一定会为我夺回了伊斯帕尼奥拉号而高兴。 
　　我到寨子的时候，木屋笼罩在黑暗中。在另一边有一堆快燃尽的篝火。这很奇怪，这么大的篝火不可能是我们烧的。 
　　周围一点动静都没有，只有树林中的风声。我绕到寨子东边，尽可能躲在阴影中。我接近木屋的时候，听见我的朋友们熟睡的鼾声，立即高兴起来。我找到门向里看，屋里一片漆黑，什么也看不见。我伸出手摸索着走进屋。 
　　突然，一个声音响起来：“八个里亚尔！八个里亚尔！八个里亚尔！”是西尔弗的鹦鹉，“弗林特船长”！ 
　　随即，人们都醒了，我听见西尔弗喊道：“谁在那儿？” 
　　我转身就跑，刚挣脱了一个人，又被另一个人抓住。 
　　　    


 