Jim to his high point

Jim Hawkins eat olives everyday as if he had no hobbies. He knew how to cook well, but he was too lazy to do it himself so he ate in a tavern where the food was good and cheap. One day, when Jim went to his favorite tavern with his dog Bob, they found a new place which was very different from other taverns.

A big sign on the wall said: "Open for business!" But that wasn't all. On the top of the sign there was a large red circle around an arrow pointed at the door. Next to the sign there were two men who looked like they could be pirates. They wore blue clothes with gold buttons and there were small golden bells attached to their hats.

"What is this?" Jim asked, looking at the sign. The man with the bell answered: "This is a pirate's tavern! We have good food, good drinks and we also sell nice things!"

"Pirates don't eat olives," Jim said. "They drink rum." The man with the bell smiled. "I'm not sure about that," he said and then he added: "But I can give you an extra glass of rum if you want!"

Jim wanted to know more about the pirates, so he ordered some rum and asked them.

"We are called the Redcoats," replied one of the pirates, "and we're the ones who control the island. We don't let anyone else live here – everyone has to work for us. It's not easy being a pirate, but it's still better than working for a living."

Jim listened carefully and realized that these pirates were not as bad as he thought before. There was no need to fear them because they would never kill anybody unless they had to. So after a while, he asked the pirates for a job.

"No way," they said and laughed. "You don't look like a pirate. You have an ordinary face and your dog isn't wearing a hat."

"Well, I've got an idea," Jim said. "I'll make my own costume and then you can hire me to help you fight the Dutchman."

The pirates didn't seem to like Jim's plan because they said: "It sounds really stupid, but okay. If you do that and succeed, we'll consider hiring you."

So Jim made a suit out of cloth and filled it with rocks. Then he put his hair up in a curly wig and used lots of black paint to make himself look scary. Finally, he came back to the pirate tavern where the Redcoats welcomed him with a round of applause.

"Now you're a pirate!" one of the Redcoats told Jim. "We also have a captain and some other pirates to help you."

"Oh yes?" Jim said. "What are their names?"

"Captain Flint," another Redcoat said, "and Captain Roberts."

"That's great," Jim said. "Tell them that I'm here." And he began to search for the captain.

He found the captain sitting at a table drinking rum, eating peanuts and telling stories to the other pirates. "Good evening, gentlemen," Jim said. "My name is Jim Hawkins and I'd like to apply for a position on your crew."

"Are you drunk already?" the captain asked. "Why did you come here? Are you crazy or something?"

"Yes, I am," Jim said. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because you're dressed like a fool!" the captain said and all the other pirates agreed loudly.

"Don't tell me anything," Jim said, feeling insulted. "I'll prove myself." He took off his costume and left the tavern.

When he arrived home, he found his father waiting for him. "Is that your new outfit?" Mr. Hawkins asked. "It looks terrible."

"That's a good start," Jim said. "Maybe you should see a doctor because you might be sick."

"I know plenty of doctors," his father replied. "And I'm not the only person who thinks you're crazy. I heard that the captain of the Flying Dutchman won't even talk to you. The other pirates are also afraid of you. Now get those clothes off and go back to the tavern!"

Jim went back to the Redcoats' tavern and asked them if he could still join the ship. "I'll do whatever you ask," he said. "Just let me serve on your ship."

The captain and the other pirates were delighted. "Go and find yourself a sword," the captain said, "and a hatchet which you can use to chop wood."

When Jim returned with his weapons, the captain said: "Let's see how you fight. We'll take you out into the bay and show you how to defend yourself."

All the pirates helped Jim climb onto the deck and then they waited. "Are we ready?" the captain asked.

"Ready!" the pirates shouted. "Bring the Dutchman!"

The Redcoats stood aside to allow the Dutchman to sail closer. "Turn around!" the captain said to Jim. "Now attack!"

Jim threw the hatchet at the Dutchman and hit the side. When he pulled out the hatchet again, it broke in half and the captain gave up. "You're useless," he said. "Get down below and don't come up again until you learn to fight."

Jim went back to the tavern and informed the Redcoats that he had failed. "That's impossible!" one of the pirates said. "There is nobody who can beat our captain."

"Not today," Jim said. "I just lost because I'm not used to the weapon. Tomorrow I'll try again."

"You're hopeless," the captain said. "If you don't know how to fight, then I don't want you on my ship any more."

"Fine with me," Jim said.