CHANCES ARE, MOST of what you know about pirates came from Treasure Island (1883). From Long John Silver’s peg leg and talking parrot, to the legend of the “black spot,” to “Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!” Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) introduced it all to readers in his popular pirate yarn. He followed Treasure Island with many more books, including The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), a chilling psychological tale, and Kidnapped (also 1886), a historical novel. If you’re feeling adventurous, take this quick Stevenson quiz.
1. In Treasure Island, what phrase does Cap’n Flint (Long John Silver’s parrot) repeat endlessly?
2. Which movie replaces Long John Silver’s parrot with a lobster named Polly, and Ben Gunn with “Benjamina”?
3. What does the term “black spot” mean?
4. What is Mr. Hyde’s first name?
5. What book was Stevenson’s sequel to Kidnapped?
ANSWERS
1. “Pieces of eight!” Pieces of eight were silver coins worth eight Spanish reales.
2. Muppet Treasure Island (1996). Benjamina Gunn is played by Miss Piggy.
3. It is a pirate’s death sentence. The “black spot” itself is a piece of paper with a black circle that is handed to a condemned pirate.
4. Edward. Dr. Jekyll’s name is Henry.
5. Catriona (1893).