Chapter 23
The boat that Jim is on is quite unsteady. It's really hard to control, but Jim somehow manages to reach the ship he wants to cut loose. After getting there, Jim remembers that when you cut a ship loose, it snaps so much that you can hurt yourself, so Jim takes extra care when cutting the rope. He waits for the finishing cut when the tension is as light as possible as the ship wobbles around because of the wind. While waiting for the perfect moment, Jim listens to the unintelligible chatter and morbid songs coming out of the drunken mouths on the ship. Finally, Jim is able to cut the last part of the rope and set the Hispaniola loose. As a last minute decision, Jim grabs hold of the rope and peers into the upper window. The pirates are distracted, and don't notice the sudden movement. Hands and another man are wrestling. Jim is suddenly pushed into the coracle, and drifts away. Convinced he will die, Jim commits his soul to God, and falls asleep.
Chapter 24
Finally, Jim awakes and sees that he's by the southwest end of Treasure Island; he heads north. After much effort and tenacity, Jim gets to where he wanted to go. He sees the Hispaniola still just floating around, and assumes that the crew either left, or everyone is drunk. Realizing he can take over the ship, Jim manages to get aboard. Jim hears the coracle get ran into and crushed, so there's no way he can escape now.
Chapter 25
Jim finds no one on deck, until after a little while, he sees Israel Hands, and a dead man (Who Hands constantly mocks, and later asks to throw his body overboard). Jim says hi to Hands, who begs for brandy. Jim finds out that most of the alcohol is gone after heading downstairs. Jim brings a drink to Hands, and asks to be captain. Jim throws the pirates' flag overboard. Hands negotiates with Jim saying that if Jim gives him food, drink, and medical attention, he'll help Jim control the Hispaniola. Jim enjoys his new position, but is still cautious.
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