Treasure Island
Read the following extract carefully, then answer the question below:
Right in front of me, not half a mile away, I beheld the Hispaniola under sail. I made sure, of course, that I should be taken; but I was so distressed for want of water that I scarce knew whether to be glad or sorry at the thought, and long before I had come to a conclusion, surprise had taken entire possession of my mind and I could do nothing but stare and wonder.
The Hispaniola was under her main-sail and two jibs, and the beautiful white canvas shone in the sun like snow or silver. When I first sighted her, all her sails were drawing; she was lying a course about north-west, and I presumed the men on board were going round the island on their way back to the anchorage. Presently she began to fetch more and more to the westward, so that I thought they had sighted me and were going about in chase. At last, however, she fell right into the wind’s eye, was taken dead aback, and stood there awhile helpless, with her sails shivering.
“Clumsy fellows,” said I; “they must still be drunk as owls.” And I thought how Captain Smollett would have set them skipping.
Meanwhile the schooner gradually fell off and filled again upon another tack, sailed swiftly for a minute or so, and brought up once more dead in the wind’s eye. Again and again was this repeated. To and fro, up and down, north, south, east, and west, the Hispaniola sailed by swoops and dashes, and at each repetition ended as she had begun, with idly flapping canvas. It became plain to me that nobody was steering. And if so, where were the men? Either they were dead drunk or had deserted her, I thought, and perhaps if I could get on board I might return the vessel to her captain.
Task
What specific observations lead Jim to conclude, "It became plain to me that nobody was steering"? Explain his reasoning by tracing the key textual clues.
💡 Writing Tips
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To answer this, break down Jim's observations. Identify each instance where the ship's movement is described as abnormal or clumsy. Think about what a well-steered ship does versus one that isn't. The repetition of certain movements is a significant clue. Piece together these observations to show the logical progression of Jim's thought process.
📝 Sample Answer
Jim's conclusion that 'nobody was steering' is a direct inference from several critical observations of the Hispaniola's movements.
Firstly, he notes that the ship 'fell right into the wind’s eye, was taken dead aback, and stood there awhile helpless, with her sails shivering.' This implies a severe loss of control, as hitting the wind's eye is a fundamental error for a steered vessel.
Secondly, he emphasises that this 'was repeated. To and fro, up and down, north, south, east, and west, the Hispaniola sailed by swoops and dashes.' The erratic, unpredictable, and repetitive nature of these movements, covering all compass points without a discernible direction, strongly suggests a lack of intelligent guidance.
Finally, the consistent outcome of these chaotic manoeuvres – 'at each repetition ended as she had begun, with idly flapping canvas' – confirms that the sails were not being managed to harness the wind. The sails were just flapping, unable to propel the ship forward purposefully. Together, these clues lead Jim to the undeniable conclusion that no one was actively at the helm.
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