Next morning, there was no wind and we were half a mile from the eastern coast of the island.
Although the sun shone bright and hot, I hated the thought of Treasure Island, afraid of what would happen there.
Because there was no wind, the small boats pulled the ship three or four miles round the island, to a safe place to drop the anchor. I went in one of them. It was hard work pulling the ship, and the men argued. Afterwards, they sat around the deck, and the smallest order was received with an angry look.
“If I give another order,” said the captain, “the whole crew will mutiny(反叛). Only one man can help us.”
“And who is that?” asked the squire.
“Silver,” replied the captain. “He wants to keep things calm as much as we do; he wants the men to wait. Let’s allow them an afternoon on shore. If they all go, we’ll have the ship. If some go, Silver will bring them back as gentle as sheep.”
Guns were given to all the honest: men. Hunter, Joyce, and Redruth were told what was happening, and were less surprised than we expected them to be. Then the captain went on deck to talk to the crew.
“Men, you’ve had a hot, tiring day,” he said. ‘The boats are still in the water. Any man who wants to can go ashore for the afternoon. You’ll hear a gun half an hour before the sun goes down to call you back.”
They all became happier at once. I think they thought they would find the treasure lying around on the beach! After some talk, six men stayed on board, and the others, with Silver, got into the small boats. I then had the first of the mad ideas that helped to save our lives. If six men were left, we could not take control of the ship; and because only six were left, the captain’s men did not need my help. So I quickly went over the ship’s side and into the nearest boat.
—Taken from Teasure Island
31. What was the weather like the next morning?
A.windy. | B.cloudy. | C.showery. | D.sunny. |
32. How did the men feel after pulling the ship three or four miles round the island?
A.bored. | B.angry. | C.excited. | D.pleased. |
33. According to the captain’s opinion, who could help the captain and the squire?
A.Hunter. | B.Joyce. | C.Redruth. | D.Silver. |
34. Which of the following was not the reason why the men felt happier?
A.They might find the treasure lying around on the beach. |
B.They didn’t need to continue pulling the ship. |
C.They could spend the afternoon on the island. |
D.They could do something against the captain. |