ANNOUNCER:

Lux presents Hollywood!

MUSIC:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Lever Brothers Company, the makers of Lux Flakes, bring you "The Lux Radio Theatre," starring James Mason, Bobby Driscoll, and Nigel Bruce, in "Treasure Island." Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. William Keighley.

MUSIC:

THEME ... UP AND OUT

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

HOST:

Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. If there is anyone in our audience who has not already read "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, then I envy you tonight's experience of hearing this exciting adventure story for the first time. You'll make the acquaintance of one of the most famous characters in literature -- that fascinating pirate, Long John Silver -- and meet young Jim Hawkins, who lived an adventure such as all boys dream about. "Treasure Island" is also the first picture Walt Disney has produced without his cartoon characters. As the stars of this RKO release, we have James Mason, who, I'm sure, will now add Long John Silver to his list of fine characterizations; Bobby Driscoll, one of the top young artists of the screen, playing his original role; and that excellent British actor, Nigel Bruce. They all combine to bring "Treasure Island" vividly to life. And I'm sure all housewives will treasure the new Lux Flakes. You know, it's hard to believe that Lux could be improved in any way. But New Lux with Color Freshener is more than ever the favorite wardrobe care of Hollywood screen stars. The curtain rises on "Treasure Island," starring James Mason as Long John Silver, Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins, and Nigel Bruce as Squire Trelawney.

MUSIC:

FOR A BRIEF SPIRITED INTRODUCTION ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

I am leaving for London in the morning. They have convinced me -- the Squire and Dr. Livesey -- that my education is in sad need of repair, that it is time I thought of becoming "a gentleman." I am not reluctant to go. It will be a new world and I will learn a great deal. But there is much I have already learned, and the thought that I may forget the past, the high adventure of my boyhood, has urged me in the writing of this journal. On the one hand, it was a needless labor. For how shall I ever forget Long John Silver and the voyage of the Hispaniola? On the other hand, time has a way of clouding the past, and it is a comfort to know that the whole story will always be here between the covers of this journal.

The year was Seventeen Sixty-Five, and then, as now, the Admiral Benbow Inn belonged to my mother. The winds still blow, the seas still crash, just as they did that late afternoon when the door opened and I saw a stranger on the threshold.

SOUND:

DURING ABOVE, A HARSH WIND BLOWS ... DOOR OPENS ... WIND LOUDER, IN BG

BLACK DOG:

(SINISTER) Rum, boy. Glass of double rum.

JIM:

Yes, sir. Rum, sir.

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES ... WIND OUT

BLACK DOG:

Well. This here is a quiet cove, for certain. Much company, Mate?

JIM:

No, sir. Not much, sir.

BLACK DOG:

Ah, who'd be the owner here?

JIM:

My mother. She - she's gone into town, sir.

BLACK DOG:

Oh. You're all alone, eh? What's your name?

JIM:

Jim Hawkins, sir.

BLACK DOG:

Tell me, Jim. Ever notice a seafaring man in this here grog shop? Name of Bones, mate. Captain William Bones.

JIM:

Bones, sir?

BLACK DOG:

No matter, boy; no matter. Just fill up the glass.

NARRATOR:

He drank, threw me a coin, and left the inn. When I was sure he was gone, I dashed up the stairs.

SOUND:

QUIET SURF BACKGROUND

JIM:

And then he asked for you, Captain. By name, sir. Captain William Bones.

BONES:

(FEARFUL) What sort of man, Jim? A one-legged man?

JIM:

No, sir. But he had a terrible scar -- a scar on his face.

BONES:

Black Dog. When ya sees Black Dog, boy, you can be sure the man with the one leg ain't far off. Rum, Jim. Fetch me rum.

JIM:

But I can't, sir. I promised Dr. Livesey.

SOUND:

BONES GETS UP AND STAGGERS AROUND, IN BG

BONES:

Come on, boy. I said rum.

JIM:

But you know what he told you. He - he said it would kill you.

BONES:

Rum for the blood, boy. I got to get me strength again.

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT

MUSIC:

IN AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

I dared not leave the inn, yet I couldn't stand there watching the old captain die before my eyes. I'd have to go for Dr. Livesey. I ran to the door, but as I flung it open, a man loomed up before me. Before I could move, his fingers, like iron, closed on my wrist.

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

SOUND:

QUIET SURF BACKGROUND

PEW:

(MENACING) Now then, boy. Take me to Captain Billy Bones or I'll break your arm.

NARRATOR:

The man was blind. In his free hand he carried a knobby stick, lifted now as if ready to strike. I led him across the room, but Captain Bones scarcely raised his eyes. He just sat there, as in a trance. (FADES OUT)

JIM:

This is Captain Bones, sir.

PEW:

It's a friend come a-callin', Bill. It's Pew. Pew, with a gift from yer old shipmates.

BONES:

(WITH DREAD) Blind Pew.

NARRATOR:

He dropped a piece of paper on the table. Then he grinned, and with no further word, found his way alone out of the door.

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES

NARRATOR:

On the scrap of paper was a black spot. And two words.

BONES:

"Until dark," it says, Jim. The black spot. "Until dark."

JIM:

But - I - I don't know what you mean.

BONES:

(DEFIANT) They won't get it out of me. What's rightful mine is mine. Give me yer hand, mate. We'll do that one-legged man yet. Help me, Jim. Back to my room. (MOVING OFF) Help me.

NARRATOR:

Shaking and gasping, he opened an old sea chest. Then, with a knife, he slit the lining of the cover. From it he took a map. He staggered back for the stairs, but he never reached them.

SOUND: BONES' STEPS STUMBLE ... BONES' BODY FALLS

JIM:

Captain!

BONES:

I'm done, young Jim. Bring help, boy.

JIM:

Yes, sir. Right away.

BONES:

Wait. Take the map. Keep the map. They may be back for it before you are. But not a word about it, hear?

JIM:

Yes, sir.

BONES:

Good boy. No mention of the map, and I'll go shares with ye. Skip now, Matey. And fast.

MUSIC:

IN AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

It was dark when I returned to the inn with Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey. The place had been ransacked. We found Captain Bones on the stairs. He was dead.

SOUND:

QUIET SURF BACKGROUND

SQUIRE:

Well, Livesey? What's your verdict?

LIVESEY:

He wasn't killed, Squire. He died of shock, or rum.

SQUIRE:

I wonder now what those rascals wanted of him.

JIM:

I - I think I can tell you, sir -- now that he's dead. It - it was this, sir.

SOUND:

MAP UNFOLDED

SQUIRE:

Bless my soul, Jim, it's a map. (BEAT) Odds, my life! Look what it says, Doctor! Flint's map!

LIVESEY:

Flint? Flint, the pirate?

SQUIRE:

(TO JIM) How'd you come by that?

JIM:

He gave it to me, sir. He - he said we'd share.

LIVESEY:

Share what, Jim?

SQUIRE:

Pirate treasure, Livesey! Flint's gold!

LIVESEY:

Oh, come now, Squire--

SQUIRE:

Why, everybody knows of the ships that he plundered. But our departed friend seems to be the only one who knew where the treasure's been hid! So that's what the scoundrels wanted -- the map of Flint's treasure island. (LAUGHS) You're a trump, young Hawkins. Mark my words -- you will share!

LIVESEY:

Listen to this, Jim. "Spy-glass Hill," it says, "bearing south-southeast to Finger Trunk Tree, thence two cables south--"

SQUIRE:

(EAGER) Go on. Go on, man. Go on, go on, go on.

LIVESEY:

Bear to larboard, due northeast to foot of White Crag. Ten paces east-- (ASTONISHED) A chest of seven hundred thousand pounds!

SQUIRE:

Bless my soul! Bless my soul! Why, with favorable winds and a clue like this, we'll have Flint's gold within the year. And the two of you are comin' with me! I'll fit out a ship, I'll--

LIVESEY:

You speak for yourself, Squire. I have a practice.

SQUIRE:

Hang your practice! Do you think I'd go to sea without a ship's doctor?

LIVESEY:

Furthermore, you assume this map is authentic.

SQUIRE:

Huh! Assume, do I? Then why were those ruffians here? And why is Captain Bones dead? Tell the truth, Livesey. Ho ho, you're frightened -- scared, scared as a rabbit!

LIVESEY:

There's only one man I'm afraid of.

SQUIRE:

Name the dog. Name him!

LIVESEY:

You. You can't hold your tongue.

SQUIRE:

Blast you. I'll be as silent as the grave. And I'm off to Bristol in the morning.

LIVESEY:

Do you know, Jim? I believe he means it.

SQUIRE:

I'll find a ship in Bristol, and then you and Jim can join me. You'll make a famous cabin boy, Jim. I'll see to that.

LIVESEY:

Ah, his mother may have something to say about that.

JIM:

She'd listen to you, sir, if - if she knew you were going.

SQUIRE:

To be sure he's going. I'll wager my wig on it!

MUSIC:

IN LILTINGLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

Squire Trelawney kept his wig. I was still in a delirium of joy when I found myself, many days later, on the wharves of Bristol. At my side was Dr. Livesey, and standing before us, with all the brass of the Lord Admiral himself, Squire Trelawney.

SOUND:

WHARF BACKGROUND (DOCK WORKERS, ET CETERA)

LIVESEY:

Well, we're here, Squire. (CHUCKLES) Fools that we are.

SQUIRE:

(PROUD) Look out there in the bay.

LIVESEY:

Hm?

SQUIRE:

(TRIUMPHANT) There she rides, gentlemen!

JIM:

(THRILLED) A ship! You've got a ship!

SQUIRE:

Three masts, square-rigged; with the name -- Hispaniola!

JIM:

(SAVORS THE NAME) Hispaniola.

SQUIRE:

Ahhh, she'll bring back all the pirate gold that we can put aboard her!

LIVESEY:

(LOW) No talk of treasure, I beg you. Not in a public place.

SQUIRE:

(QUICKLY) Oh, no, no, no. To be sure. Mum's the word. Mum's the word.

LIVESEY:

Well, now. When do we go aboard?

SQUIRE:

Well, you better ask Captain Smollett. Five days, he's been selecting a crew. (WITH CONTEMPT) Huh! Five days.

LIVESEY:

Cautious, hm?

SQUIRE:

Outrageous, eh? When I threatened to step in, he told me to hire a sea cook. So, by Jove, I did.

LIVESEY:

(DRY) A chef from Paris, I presume.

SQUIRE:

Oh, none of your little jokes, Livesey. Fellow by the name of Long John Silver. I didn't waste good time poring over his credentials either. All I needed was the taste of his ham and - and his buttered eggs. That's his own tavern there, over yonder.

JIM:

(READS SIGN) "The Spy-glass Inn."

SQUIRE:

Follow us, Livesey, and judge for yourself.

MUSIC:

IN OMINOUSLY ... THEN IN BG--

NARRATOR:

It was then I had my first sight of Long John Silver, a great bulk of a man, brown and leathery from years at sea. But he did not walk as sailors walk, and I soon saw why. His right leg was gone. He walked on a peg with a crutch and - and suddenly I heard the voice of Captain Bones again.

BONES:

(HEAVY FILTER, FEARFUL) What sort of man, Jim? Was it a one-legged man?

NARRATOR:

But if my fears were immediate, they were as quickly dispelled in the cheery greeting and the friendly manner of Long John Silver.

MUSIC:

OUT BEHIND SILVER--

SILVER:

(CHEERFUL) Top of the morning, gentlemen. Sit ye down, if ye kindly will. For you, Squire, kidney pie -- piping hot.

SOUND: PLATE SET DOWN

SILVER:

And this be for Dr. Livesey.

SOUND:

PLATE SET DOWN

LIVESEY:

You - you know my name?

SILVER:

Squire's told me that much about the two of you, it comes naturally to. And this'll be young Master Hawkins.

SOUND:

PLATE SET DOWN

JIM:

Yes, sir.

SILVER:

Hawkins. Proper seafaring name, it is.

LIVESEY:

You, uh-- You run your house well, my man. It isn't often I see fruit in a tavern.

SILVER:

It's a rule of health -- which same I learned while sailing under the immortal Stanley, God rest his soul.

SQUIRE:

(TO LIVESEY) You hear that? Under Admiral Stanley.

SILVER:

Aye, your honor; Quiberon Bay. You favor the admiral yourself, Squire, if I may say so.

SQUIRE:

(CHUCKLES HEARTILY)

SILVER:

Why, you and him could make up your mind like that.

SQUIRE:

Oh, do I now?

SILVER:

I've noticed it afore, too. Wouldn't surprise me none to hear you say, "Heave up the anchor, lads. We sails on the hour."

SQUIRE:

Yes, but you can't sail without a crew, Mr. Silver, heh? You'd think there wasn't an honest seaman to be found in all Bristol.

SILVER:

I begs to differ, sir, if I may make so bold. Why, there's a full cargo of my old shipmates becalmed right here in town. Sound men inside, yer honor -- if some were scarred in the services of England, and them with no pensions, neither.

SQUIRE:

Could they be had at short notice? Say, er, twenty of 'em?

SILVER:

Aye, sir. But they not be pretty enough for the modern taste, sir.

LIVESEY:

And just what does that mean?

SILVER:

It means, sir, that the beauty of their youth is faded, in the giving of themself to their king and country.

SQUIRE:

Appearances be hanged! Bring in a crew come sundown, and I, for one, will be greatly obliged.

SILVER:

Well sir, I will say this, sir. I knows every seaman in these here parts like the palm of this hand.

JIM:

Excuse me, Mr. Silver.

SILVER:

Aye, Master Hawkins?

JIM:

Did - did you ever know Captain Billy Bones?

SILVER:

Bones? Billy Bones? What ship did he sail on, Matey?

JIM:

He - he was a pirate. I think.

SILVER:

Lord love ye, lad. Them as sailed with the admiral had no speaking acquaintance with pirates. Aye, look at the lad, Squire, and Doctor, sir. The spittin' image of myself when I was his age. Head full of pirates. But he'll find that the sea be mostly hard work. And the biggest satisfaction a man gets is doin' his duty. (MOVING OFF) And now, beggin' your pardon, sirs, I suggest you fill up while the vittles is still hot.

NARRATOR:

And there was no doubt about it. Long John Silver was the finest cook who ever sailed the seas. When the meal was over, the Squire was all for taking us aboard the Hispaniola. But Mr. Silver had a different thought. (FADES OUT)

SILVER:

(FADES IN) I've been thinking, Squire. Could you spare me the services of Master Hawkins -- just for today, I mean?

SQUIRE:

Oh, but what on earth do you--?

SILVER:

I've more on my hands putting the inn shipshape for the new owner, sir. And there's the crew you've asked me to round up.

SQUIRE:

Oh, yes. To be sure. Stay here, Jim, and lend him a hand.

JIM:

But - but, sir--

SQUIRE:

This way, Dr. Livesey. (MOVING OFF) Don't worry, Jim. We'll be back for you before night.

SILVER:

Now then, lad, suppose you comes with me into the galley. We can talk free there, each to the other.

FLINT:

Pieces of eight. Pieces of eight. (CONTINUES SQUAWKING AND CHATTERING IN BG)

JIM:

Why - why, that's a parrot in there.

SILVER:

And an evil-minded bird she be. (TO FLINT) Belay, you old bumboat, belay!

FLINT:

Awk! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!

SILVER:

I said, belay!

FLINT:

Dead men tell no tales.

SILVER:

(DISGUSTED) Swearing blue fire in front of a gentleman.

JIM:

Is - is she yours?

SILVER:

Aye, lad. Captain Flint, I calls her, after the famous buccaneer. 'Twas the pirates who taught her how to swear. If you want to know about pirates, Jim, ask Captain Flint. (TEASING) Only I'll wager as how you can't make her talk. Go on, lad. Try.

JIM:

(EAGERLY) Pirates, Captain Flint. Pirates.

FLINT:

Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Awk!

SILVER:

(PLEASED) You did it! You made her talk! Strike me, boy. Smart as paint, you be.

FLINT:

Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!

JIM:

Mr. Silver! Look! There, out the window!

SILVER:

Aye, lad?

JIM:

That man, there on the key!

SILVER:

Be, eh--? Be someone you know?

JIM:

Black Dog. He - he's a pirate. I know he is.

SILVER:

Pirate? [Don't leave,?] Matey. I'll call all hands and run him down.

FLINT:

(SQUAWKS AND TALKS) Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!

JIM:

Hurry, please. Don't let him get away.

MUSIC:

SNEAKS IN ... TO CHASE A PIRATE ... THEN IN BG

SILVER:

(TO SEAMEN) There be a pirate, the lad says! Do your duty, men!

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AND HURRY OFF

NARRATOR:

The men left the tap room. Through the window I saw them hail Black Dog. He turned quickly and ran, the others after him. But I could not help thinking that - that they were letting him escape.

MUSIC:

OUT BEHIND--

SILVER:

(FADES IN) He got away, lad. Too quick, he was. A pirate, eh? What was he doing here, I wonder.

FLINT:

(SQUAWKS)

JIM:

I - I don't know.

SILVER:

Black Dog, eh?

FLINT:

Awk! Pieces of eight!

SILVER:

Black Dog. I'll "black dog" him.

JIM:

That - that's a pistol.

SILVER:

Aye, and all loaded, Matey. Here. Feel the balance.

JIM:

Gee, it's - it's a fine pistol, Mr. Silver.

SILVER:

Mind the trigger guard. Solid silver. Special made for Admiral Stanley, who gave it to me, rest him, for loyal and conspickius service. You think you could shoot it?

JIM:

Oh, yes, sir!

SILVER:

I might have known. Smart as paint, just like I said. Put the pistol in your pocket, boy. And if you clamps your lights on that there Black Dog, repel boarders.

JIM:

Yes, sir.

FLINT:

(LAUGHS) Pieces of eight. Pieces of eight.

SILVER:

You see, I knows a lad I can trust whilst I'm out doing my duty by the Squire.

JIM:

You're leaving?

SILVER:

And when I comes back, I'll have a crew. And you'll have a sidearm.

JIM:

You mean, to keep?

SILVER:

That's my meaning, Matey. Now. (OFFERS A HAND) Be we shipmates?

JIM:

(SHAKES HANDS ENTHUSIASTICALLY) Shipmates!

SILVER:

It's a fine bold shake of the hand you've got, Master Hawkins. (MOVING OFF) Clear sailing, Matey.

MUSIC:

IN WARMLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

He could move amazingly fast, wooden leg and all. And as I watched him striding down the street, I wondered if in all England there was another boy half so fortunate: out in the harbor rode the good ship Hispaniola; our voyage, buried treasure; and Long John Silver was my friend.

That afternoon, Dr. Livesey took me out to the ship. And then, at sundown, Long John Silver came aboard. He had kept his word and brought a crew.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR ... THEN IN BG

SILVER:

And like I said, Squire, they ain't pretty, but they knows the sea. (TO SEAMEN) Line up, chums, so His Honor can look ye over.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR ... THEN FADE OUT BEHIND--

NARRATOR:

Oh, they were an ugly lot, all right. Captain Smollett wanted no part of them. But the Squire insisted and every man of them was signed aboard. And then the captain asked the Squire and Dr. Livesey to step into his cabin.

SMOLLETT:

(FADES IN) I'll speak plain, gentlemen. I don't like this cruise and I don't like the men.

SQUIRE:

Well, possibly, sir, you don't like your employer either.

SMOLLETT:

We need trustworthy crew. Not one recruited out of the muck by a ship's cook.

SQUIRE:

The ship's cook was acting under my orders.

SMOLLETT:

And is the cook responsible for the ship's safety?

SQUIRE:

(AT A LOSS) Well-- Well-- I must say, er--

LIVESEY:

Captain Smollett, we are all concerned with the ship's safety, now. Now, what do you propose?

SMOLLETT:

The whereabouts of any treasure map to be kept strictly secret -- even from myself and my mate, Mr. Arrow. The firearms removed from the forward hold and stored aft, here.

LIVESEY:

Surely, you don't anticipate mutiny?

SMOLLETT:

Well, if I did, I wouldn't put out to sea at all.

LIVESEY:

Oh.

SMOLLETT:

Well, Trelawney?

SQUIRE:

Anything -- if it'll get us out to sea.

SMOLLETT:

Agreed then. You'll find, gentlemen, that I'll do my duty. I can vouch also for Mr. Arrow, my mate, and the five men in the crew I had previously signed.

SQUIRE:

And when can we sail?

SMOLLETT:

We should be ready by midnight.

SQUIRE:

Oh, very well. Come on, Livesey.

SOUND:

SHIP BACKGROUND (SEAMEN MURMUR, GULLS, WATER, ET CETERA) ... DOOR OPENS

SQUIRE:

Hang it all, man, why did you take the fellow's part?

LIVESEY:

Because I think our captain's a very conscientious man.

SQUIRE:

Well, I find his conduct un-English. Downright un-English!

MUSIC:

IN STIRRINGLY AND THEN IN BG--

NARRATOR:

That night, in the full of the moon, the sails of the Hispaniola bellied out to the wind. Our voyage had begun. I stood, watching the lights of Bristol disappear, and then I was aware that someone stood behind me and a hand clamped down on my shoulder.

SILVER:

Look hard, Jim Hawkins. It's many a day afore you see Bristol Harbor again. And you'll see other sights, Matey. Things you'll never forget so long as you be alive.

MUSIC:

UP, FOR CURTAIN

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

In just a few moments, our stars will return with Act Two of "Treasure Island." But first, listen!

SOUND:

GARBLED CHATTER BY A CROWD OF FEMALE VOICES ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Listen to what Hollywood is saying!

1ST WOMAN:

Marvelous!

2ND WOMAN:

Sensational!

3RD WOMAN:

It's perfect!

4TH WOMAN:

Nothing like it!

SOUND:

CHATTER OUT BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

Joan Caulfield says--

1ST WOMAN:

I could hardly believe my eyes.

ANNOUNCER:

Claudette Colbert says--

2ND WOMAN:

It's simply wonderful.

ANNOUNCER:

Alexis Smith says--

3RD WOMAN:

It's better than ever.

ANNOUNCER:

It's sensational! It's New Lux!

4TH WOMAN:

A better-than-ever Lux!

ANNOUNCER:

New Lux with Color Freshener!

WOMAN:

The most thrilling improvement since Lux was invented. New Lux with Color Freshener is a real beauty bath for fabrics. It gives new life to all colors every time they're Luxed.

ANNOUNCER:

Hollywood screen stars -- women everywhere -- are saying, "It's a washing miracle."

WOMAN:

Smart prints are brighter and gayer; look glowingly alive.

ANNOUNCER:

Wait till you see what it does for white things! They stay frosty white, dazzling white, whiter than you'd ever dream possible!

WOMAN:

All colors sparkle with new life and beauty every time you wash them.

ANNOUNCER:

No other way of washing makes all your nice things look so fresh, so bright, so truly new. And this wonderful New Lux is mild and safe as ever.

WOMAN:

Now, more than ever, New Lux with Color Freshener is the favorite wardrobe care of Hollywood screen stars.

ANNOUNCER:

The Lux in your neighborhood store right now is New Lux with Color Freshener. Get a big box tomorrow. Give all your nice washables that nice-as-new Lux look. Here's our producer, Mr. Keighley.

HOST:

Act Two of "Treasure Island," starring James Mason as Long John Silver, Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins, and Nigel Bruce as Squire Trelawney.

MUSIC:

A SPIRITED INTRODUCTION ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

We'd been at sea for almost a month without incident, until one afternoon Captain Smollett had reason to call all hands on deck. Mr. Arrow, the mate, had found a pistol on one of the seamen.

SOUND:

SEAMEN GRUMBLE NOISILY ... THEN GROW QUIET BEHIND--

SMOLLETT:

(STERN) Since this is the first offense, I shall let it go unpunished. But let it happen again and the penalty will be fifteen lashes. Crew dismissed, Mr. Arrow.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR NOISILY ... THEN DISPERSE BEHIND--

NARRATOR:

If one man was guilty, I was no less so. But I had a friend to turn to -- Long John Silver.

FLINT:

(CHATTERS, TRILLS, AND SQUAWKS QUIETLY IN BG DURING SCENE ... "Belay. Make them walk the plank. Make them walk the plank. Pieces of eight. Pieces of eight." ... ET CETERA)

JIM:

So - so I'll have to turn in my pistol, too, won't I?

SILVER:

Here now, here. It'd go hard with Long John if you was to turn it in now.

JIM:

But why?

SILVER:

Well, here's a captain with a suspicious turn of mind, and here I am handing out firearms to an able-bodied seaman like yourself.

JIM:

I'd do no harm with it.

SILVER:

Would you keep it out of sight?

JIM:

Oh, yes. Always.

SILVER:

And you ain't given to no rum drinking neither, are you?

JIM:

Oh, no, sir.

SILVER:

Nor quarrelsome, neither. So's my advice, Jim Hawkins, is keep the pistol, and no harm to nobody.

JIM:

Whatever you say, I'll do.

SILVER:

Thank ye, mate. Thank ye.

SOUND:

DURING ABOVE, SEAMEN APPROACH MURMURING NOISILY

MERRY:

(DISGUSTED, TO OTHERS) Fifteen lashes! Just 'cause I wants to protect myself.

SILVER:

Avast! It's time you learned, George Merry, just who is captain, and who gives the orders!

MERRY:

A captain it was! A captain wouldn't have that mate around, sticking his nose into fo'c's'le business.

SILVER:

You lay a finger on Mr. Arrow and you'll answer to me, George -- personal! Mr. Arrow be a friend of Long John Silver. And I plans to take care of him. Be that clear to you, mates?

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AGREEMENT AND DISPERSE

JIM:

They'll obey you, John. Even before Mr. Arrow, I guess.

SILVER:

Was you and me worth our salt, Matey, we'd think out of a way to sweeten Mr. Arrow's disposition. Like, er, something special for his supper. A plum pudding, maybe, for a cold stormy night.

JIM:

Stormy night?

SILVER:

She's clouding up, Jim. We'll rock proper, come evening. Only plum duff ain't no better than bilge water without rum.

JIM:

Can't you get rum for cooking?

SILVER:

And have Captain suspect me of sneaking double grog?

JIM:

Then why don't I ask Squire for some?

SILVER:

Without Captain knowing?

JIM:

I'm sure I could.

MUSIC:

SNEAKS IN ... BUILDS IN BG

SILVER:

Blow me down. You're a good'n, Jim. I seen that from the start. Get the rum, boy. Bring it here!

MUSIC:

TOPS SILVER ... FOR A BRIEF TRANSITION ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

We ran into weather that night, just as Long John said we would. The crew in the fo'c's'le were slow to change watch. Mr. Arrow came below to rouse them out.

SOUND:

SHIP BACKGROUND (HEAVY WEATHER)

ARROW:

Starboard watch on deck! Lively now! (LOUDER) Starboard watch on deck!

SOUND:

DISGRUNTLED SEAMEN MURMUR NOISILY ... THEN IN BG--

SILVER:

Mr. Arrow? Could you spare me a moment, sir?

ARROW:

Well?

SILVER:

If you'll step in the galley, sir.

SOUND:

MURMURING SEAMEN OUT

SILVER: Plum duff -- made special for you, sir.

ARROW:

I'm obliged, Mr. Silver.

SILVER:

Then have your fill, sir.

SOUND:

PLATE SET DOWN

SILVER:

And this here bottle is what gives it its flavor.

SOUND:

CORK PULLED FROM BOTTLE ... DRINK POURED BEHIND--

SILVER:

Half full, it is, so sweeten it, sir, to suit your taste. Aye, sir. To suit your taste.

SOUND:

STORM BACKGROUND SWEEPS IN ... THUNDER, HARSH WIND, ET CETERA ... FILLS A PAUSE ... THEN BEHIND--

NARRATOR:

The bottle of rum was empty when Mr. Arrow went up on deck.

SOUND:

THUNDER FOR PUNCTUATION ... THEN STORM FADES OUT

NARRATOR:

By morning, the storm was over. It was Squire Trelawney who told me the news.

SQUIRE:

(FADES IN) A tragedy, Jim. A tragedy, a great tragedy.

JIM:

Squire, what happened?

SQUIRE:

Mr. Arrow, last night in the storm, apparently was washed overboard.

MUSIC:

IN MOURNFULLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

The Hispaniola sailed on. And even I began to wonder if this long voyage would ever end. It was a sailor named Gray, one of the six recruited by Captain Smollett, who gave me hope.

SOUND:

SHIP BACKGROUND

GRAY:

Ah, don't fret, boy. We'll sight land soon. The signs have come.

JIM:

What signs, Mr. Gray?

GRAY:

For one thing, the crew's turned quarrelsome. Then the beer's all gone. And [the] water keg's crawling. Sure signs, boy, of a landfall.

JIM:

But there's still some apples left in the barrel.

GRAY:

Well, when the last one's ate, we'll sight land for sure.

JIM:

Then I'm going below and eat them all!

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT

NARRATOR:

I went below to the apple barrel. It was a huge barrel, and being almost empty, I found I had to climb in to get at the few that were left. A moment later I heard voices -- the crew -- and among them, Long John Silver.

FLINT:

(CHATTERS, IN BG) Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Make them walk the plank! Make them walk the plank! Awk!

SILVER:

So you've got something to tell us, Mr. Merry. Well? What are your evil thoughts?

MERRY:

We can take this ship right now; what are we waitin' for?

ANDERSON:

Aye, since me and Hands joined you, the only ones on the captain's side is Gray and Joyce and Hunter.

MERRY:

And I say cut their throats.

SILVER:

And I say there'll be no killing till I gives the word.

ANDERSON:

You're growin' soft, John. When we was with Flint, you was all cut and rip.

SILVER:

You thickheaded swab! Who got rid of Arrow so quiet no one even suspected? Not even young Hawkins who brought me the rum for the job. And who'll get you the firearms the same way, when the time comes?

HANDS:

All we want to know is what we're waiting for.

SILVER:

We're waiting while a first-class navigator like Captain Smollett sails this here bumboat to our destination. We can steer a course, but who's to set one? Such being the case, you waits till I give the signal.

MERRY:

Eatin' fo'c's'le grub while them in cabins has meat and wine and rum--

SILVER:

When a thirst be upon you, George Merry, bite into an apple real savage. I've a mind to chew one now meself.

HANDS:

There be the barrel, John. But you got to reach for 'em now.

SILVER:

You just drop a knife on one, Mr. Hands, and plucks it out.

MUSIC:

IN TENSELY ... THEN IN BG--

NARRATOR:

I heard his knife slip out of the sheath. I saw the blade poised over me. But it never descended. On deck, Mr. Gray had sighted land.

GRAY:

(OFF) LAND HO!

SOUND:

SEAMEN CHEER AND ECHO, "LAND HO!"

MUSIC:

UP BRIEFLY AND GRANDLY ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

I climbed, shaking, from the barrel, and ran to Captain Smollett's cabin. To him, the Squire, and Dr. Livesey, I told what I'd overheard.

SQUIRE:

(STUNNED DISMAY) Long John Silver. I just can't believe it. I never questioned his loyalty. Captain Smollett, sir? I'm a fool.

SMOLLETT:

Ah, no more than I, Squire. Well, it appears there're precious few of us now. I make it eight of us against twenty of them.

LIVESEY:

But you forget Jim Hawkins, sir?

SMOLLETT:

Nine of us, then.

SQUIRE:

Well, we have all the firearms. Can't we surprise 'em?

SMOLLETT:

That's my plan, once we get them all ashore. As I see it, they'll not make their move until we've found the treasure. Meanwhile, give them no cause for alarm. Jim, you've brought us this warning. I wonder can you do it a second time?

LIVESEY:

Could you keep your ears open, lad? Stay friends with Silver?

JIM:

(UNEASILY) Stay friends with - with him, sir?

SQUIRE:

Well, can you, boy?

JIM:

Yes, sir. (BEAT) I'll stay friends with him.

SMOLLETT:

Good lad. Well, I'd best call all hands and see about an anchorage.

MUSIC:

BRIEF TRANSITION

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR NOISILY ... THEN MORE QUIETLY IN BG--

SMOLLETT:

Now then. Have any of you ever seen that island before?

SILVER:

I has, sir. I was cook once on a trader as watered here.

SMOLLETT:

Do you remember the anchorage, Mr. Silver?

SILVER:

Yonder, sir. There, in that inlet. You give me a strong pull with the longboat, and I'll guide this ship in like a lamb.

SMOLLETT:

Good.

SOUND:

SEAMEN FALL SILENT ... WATER LAPS AGAINST THE SHIP, IN BG

SMOLLETT:

(TO SEAMEN) Stand by to drop anchor and lower the boat. Any questions?

JIM:

If you please, sir. Could I go along with Mr. Silver?

SMOLLETT:

Well, Mr. Silver?

SILVER:

I'd be that happy to take him, sir. Young Hawkins could try his hand on the tiller.

SMOLLETT:

Permission granted.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR NOISILY AND MOVE OFF DURING FOLLOWING--

SMOLLETT:

(LOW) You did well, Jim.

SQUIRE:

Well, what did he mean about guiding the ship?

SMOLLETT:

The longboat will tow us into anchorage. Silver will need most of the crew to man the oars. Those that remain aboard ship will be our prisoners.

SQUIRE:

Yes, but what if they rush us first?

SMOLLETT:

That, Squire, is the chance we'll have to take. Find Silver, Jim. Stay close to him, boy. And good luck.

JIM:

Yes, sir.

MUSIC:

TENSE ACCENT ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

An hour later, the longboat was in the water, pulling the Hispaniola closer and closer to the shore. Whenever I could, I looked behind, trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on on board.

SILVER:

The man at the tiller, Master Hawkins, keeps his eye on the shore.

JIM:

Yes, sir.

HANDS:

Ten [bora?] eight, John!

SILVER:

Lift your oars! (BEAT, CALLS) Drop your anchor, Captain, sir! This here's your spot!

NARRATOR:

I heard the splash of the anchor behind us, followed almost at once by shouts of warning from Captain Smollett.

SMOLLETT:

(FROM OFF) On your guard, men! They're drawin' knives!

MUSIC:

OUT

ANDERSON:

What's he yellin' about?

SILVER:

(ANNOYED) That fool! That fool George Merry. Didn't wait for my signal.

SOUND: BANG! BANG! TWO GUNSHOTS

SILVER:

We're in for it now, boys! Pull for the shore!

SOUND:

STEADY ROWING OF OARS IN WATER ... CONTINUES IN BG

SMOLLETT:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Turn about and come alongside! Turn about or I'll shoot!

SILVER:

(CALLS) With young Master Hawkins at my sides?! Fire that musket and I'll cut his throat! (BEAT) Merry?! You blundering squid, can you hear me?!

MERRY:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Aye! I hears you! Them shots was just a warn!

SILVER:

(CALLS) Then lie low till a treaty be made! And this time follow orders!

SMOLLETT:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) You dare to hold that boy, and I'll have you--!

SILVER:

(INTERRUPTS, CALLS) Begging your pardon, sir! I ain't finished with what I got to say! I'll give you one hour to send a boat ashore with Flint's map and give yourself up to Mr. Merry! So be it, if you want to see young Hawkins alive!

SMOLLETT:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Do what he says, Jim! We'll save you!

SILVER:

(LOW, TO JIM) Don't take it so hard, Matey. Why, it's lucky you come along with old John here. Or he'd have had nothing to bargain with.

JIM:

(DEFIANT) Let go of me.

SILVER:

Why, I even puts my knife away. There now, see?

SOUND: JIM QUICKLY CLIMBS OUT OF LONGBOAT ... WATER SPLASHES AS HE RUNS FOR SHORE

SILVER:

Come back here, you! (TO SEAMEN) After him, you swabs!

MUSIC:

FOR A CHASE ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

(RAPIDLY) I had jumped into the shallow water and struggled for shore. It was heavily wooded beyond the beach, but how long I could elude them, I didn't know. I could hear them crashing through the brush after me. But gradually the sound of my pursuers grew distant. They'd gone inland, and later a wisp of far-off smoke revealed they were making camp. As I turned for the shore, something sprang at me from the bushes. It was a figure out of a nightmare. I drew the pistol Silver had given me and--

SOUND:

ISLAND BACKGROUND (ANIMALS CHATTER, ET CETERA)

GUNN:

NO! No! Don't shoot! Don't! I'm poor Ben Gunn, I am. You wouldn't harm poor Ben Gunn.

NARRATOR:

Out of my terror, I saw a human being -- scrawny, long-haired, and bearded; his bones covered with pieces of tattered canvas. He was on his knees now, imploring me.

GUNN:

It's just me. Poor old Ben Gunn, what hasn't spoke to a Christian these five years now.

JIM:

Five years? Were - were you shipwrecked?

GUNN:

Nay, mate. Marooned. Tell me. That ship. Would that be Flint's ship?

JIM:

No, Flint's dead.

GUNN:

But I seen his men. I seen them come ashore.

JIM:

Some of them are Flint's men, but they got aboard by trickery.

GUNN:

Aye. And is there among them a man with one leg?

JIM:

(WITH SAVAGE DISTASTE) Long John Silver. And I hate him!

GUNN:

(MISERABLE) Oh, he's come back. I'm as good as dead. It was him as marooned me. What be your tack now, young master?

JIM:

Well, if - if you could help me row a longboat--

GUNN:

Boat, says you? Ben Gunn's your man, says I. What might you call yourself, Mate?

JIM:

Jim.

GUNN:

(MOVING OFF) Well now, Jim, you just follow Ben Gunn.

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT ... TRANSITIONAL PAUSE ... SCENE FADES IN ... WAVES LAP AGAINST THE SHIP, IN BG

SMOLLETT:

Not a sign of anyone on the beach, Squire. Not that I can see.

SQUIRE:

Pray God the boy's still alive.

LIVESEY:

What about the stockade at the end of the cove?

SMOLLETT:

(PEERS THROUGH SPY-GLASS) It appears empty. And without arms, I'm sure those cutthroats went inland.

SQUIRE:

Behind that stockade, we'd stand a chance of rescuing young Hawkins.

SMOLLETT:

Precisely. We'll leave two men aboard. There's no way our prisoners can reach the deck; two men will suffice. We'll load the jolly-boat with supplies and come back and forth to relieve the guards.

SQUIRE:

Good! Then let's be at it!

SMOLLETT:

(CALLS) Stand by, Mr. Gray, to stock the jolly-boat!

SOUND: SCENE FADES OUT ... TRANSITIONAL PAUSE ... SCENE FADES IN ... SURF BACKGROUND

NARRATOR:

Ben Gunn had led me to a cluster of rocks. Carefully hidden among them was a tiny boat.

GUNN:

Made her with my own hands, I did. Bamboo, Jim. And goatskins. But first, says I, we'll see if the coast be clear of Flint's men.

NARRATOR:

It was then we saw the jolly-boat heading for shore. They were coming for me. I'd be saved.

GUNN:

"Comin' ashore," says you. "But what might that be?" says I. There, on the ship. Look here, Jim. Men crawlin' out of the portholes, climbin' up to the deck!

MUSIC:

IN AGITATEDLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

It was all too true. The prisoners, trapped in the fo'c's'le, were escaping through portholes. There were a few shots, and silence. Then, from the main mast, I saw the skull-and-bones catch in the breeze. Silver's men had taken over our ship. By now, our friends in the jolly-boat had reached shore and rushed for the safety of the stockade. Meanwhile, Silver had led the men on shore back to the beach, back to the longboat, out of range of the stockade. Unmolested, they were making their way to the ship.

SOUND:

SURF BACKGROUND

JIM:

Now they'll get the guns, and the ammunition, and the food. Everything but the map.

GUNN:

Map, says you? What map?

JIM:

Never mind. Come along, Ben.

GUNN:

No.

JIM:

My friends won't harm you. I promise.

GUNN:

If your captain wants to see Ben Gunn, tell him to come tonight -- alone -- to the top of Spy-glass Hill. And tell him this.

MUSIC:

SNEAKS IN ... THEN IN BG

GUNN:

Them as hides, can find. And them as finds, can hide!

MUSIC:

UP BRIEFLY ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

In the stockade, I was welcomed as one returned from the dead. I told them at once of my meeting with Ben Gunn.

SQUIRE:

And what's your opinion, lad? Do you think this creature's sane?

JIM:

I - I think he is, Squire.

SQUIRE:

Why would he want you to come after dark, Captain Smollett?

SMOLLETT:

Safety, of course.

SQUIRE:

(GRUNTS) Hm.

SMOLLETT:

And right now we may expect visitors ourselves.

GRAY:

They're coming from the ship, Captain.

SMOLLETT:

Aye. The longboat's full of them. (TO JIM) Can you load a gun, Jim?

JIM:

Yes, sir. I - I think so.

SQUIRE:

Let 'em come, by Jove. They'll find us ready for 'em.

GRAY:

There's Silver, sir, with a flag of truce.

SMOLLETT:

Truce, eh? Take your positions, men. I'll see what he wants. Open the gate, Mr. Gray.

GRAY:

Aye, sir.

SOUND:

GATE OPENS ... SMOLLETT'S STEPS

SMOLLETT:

Now close it. And shoot with the first false move.

SOUND:

GATE CLOSES

SILVER:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Flag of truce, Captain, sir! Flag of truce!

SMOLLETT:

And what does that mean, Mr. Silver?

SILVER:

(APPROACHES) Captain Silver to come aboard, sir, and make terms!

SMOLLETT:

Captain Silver? Who's he?

SILVER:

It's me, sir! Those poor lads yonder have chose me captain, sir, after your desertion of the ship. (CALLS) Stay under cover, lads, and wait for me!

SMOLLETT:

Open the gate, Mr. Gray.

SOUND:

GATE OPENS

SILVER:

You'll have patience, Captain, sir -- seeing as how I makes me way on but one pin and a crutch.

SOUND: GATE CLOSES

SILVER:

Aye. A sweet pretty place you have here, to be sure. And there's Jim! How be my little Matey, eh?

JIM:

I've nothing to say to you.

SILVER:

And Squire, and Doctor. Well, sirs, the long and the short of it be this. I has the ship, I has the men, I has the armaments. Only what I ain't got be Flint's map. So here be my terms. You give us that there map, and you can keep your lives. We'll divide the stores and I gives you my affy-davit to stop the first ship I sees and send it here to pick you up.

SMOLLETT:

Your word, Silver?

SILVER:

Handsomer you couldn't ask for.

SMOLLETT:

Then here are my terms. If you come here, one by one, unarmed, I'll clap you all in irons and take you home to stand fair trial.

SQUIRE:

Well spoken, Captain Smollett. Now listen to me, John Silver. You can't find the treasure. You can't sail the ship. And your cowardly scum can't fight. So get out of here! Double quick!

MUSIC:

SNEAKS IN ... GRIM ... IN BG

SILVER:

So be it, Captain. And Squire, so be it. But before an hour's out, you'll be begging help from me. And them what die, will be the lucky ones.

MUSIC:

UP, FOR A CURTAIN

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

HOST:

After a brief intermission, we'll resume with Act Three of "Treasure Island." Tonight, I've chosen as our guest twelve-year-old Kathryn Beaumont because she is the voice of Alice in Walt Disney's delightful new Technicolor version of Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice in Wonderland." You posed for the artists, too, didn't you, Kathryn?

KATHRYN:

Yes, I did, Mr. Keighley. But you won't see me on the screen. I just serve as an inspiration to the artists.

HOST:

And a very lovely inspiration. You know, you're so much like the original Alice. You were also born in England, weren't you?

KATHRYN:

Yes, and we lived there all during the war.

HOST:

You must have thoroughly enjoyed acting out the adventures of "Alice in Wonderland."

KATHRYN:

Oh, yes, it was great fun. I just can't wait to see the picture when it's released next summer. You know, Mr. Disney has drawn the characters just exactly the way I've always pictured them.

HOST:

The Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit?

KATHRYN:

Yes, they're all there in Alice's adventures, Mr. Keighley. And for me-- Well, being Alice was - was like having a wonderful dream suddenly come true.

ANNOUNCER:

"A dream come true." That's the way screen stars feel about New Lux, Kathryn -- Lux with Color Freshener. It's the greatest improvement ever made in wonderful Lux Flakes.

KATHRYN:

Oh, Mummy uses Lux for all my things, Mr. Kennedy.

ANNOUNCER:

Now do you know why those white pinafores of yours stay so beautifully white? And why your dresses stay so bright and gay every time they're washed? It's New Lux with Color Freshener.

KATHRYN:

I say, can - can this New Lux do everything, Mr. Kennedy?

ANNOUNCER:

Just about everything, Kathryn. Lux has always been a marvelous product, but this New Lux is more wonderful than ever. White things stay white as the White Rabbit; prints, as bright as the Queen of Hearts; all colors as bright and gay as the Mad Hatter's tea party. No other way of washing does so much for colors; renews their sparkling beauty every time you wash them. Ladies, if you'd like an adventure that's exciting, thrilling, yet absolutely safe, get a big box of New Lux with Color Freshener tomorrow. For white things, for prints, for all your colors -- you'll say it's a washing miracle. Give all your washables that nice-as-new Lux look. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

MUSIC:

FOR A STATION BREAK ... THEN OUT

HOST:

The curtain rises on Act Three of "Treasure Island," starring James Mason as Long John Silver, Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins, and Nigel Bruce as Squire Trelawney.

MUSIC:

A SPIRITED INTRODUCTION ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

Silver and his men attacked us immediately, but the stout logs of the stockade held and we drove them off, though not without cost. Joyce, one of the loyal sailors, lay dead, and Captain Smollett, wounded. Never before were we so grateful for Dr. Livesey.

SOUND:

NOCTURNAL ISLAND BACKGROUND (CRICKETS, FROGS, ET CETERA)

LIVESEY:

The captain's asleep. He'll be all right in a few days.

JIM:

Do - do you think they'll attack again tonight, sir?

LIVESEY:

I - I don't know, Jim. Hard to foresee the end of this.

SQUIRE:

Yes, that's true enough, lad. Therefore, I want you to have the treasure map. It's yours, by rights, you know.

JIM:

If that's your wish, Squire.

SQUIRE:

And if the worst comes to the worst, don't hesitate to buy your life with it. (WITH BRAVADO) But they won't drive us out of here in a hurry!

LIVESEY:

Well, they may not even try to, Squire.

SQUIRE:

Well-- What's that? Why not?

LIVESEY:

Well, with the high tide, they can bring the ship in closer to shore. And once within cannon range, why, they could level us.

SQUIRE:

Oh, by Jove, so they could. If John Silver thinks of it! Blast him.

LIVESEY:

And they've got all the boats. Otherwise, I'd try to get to the ship and cut the anchor rope.

JIM:

But if we can't stay here in the stockade--

LIVESEY:

Jim! Jim, you spoke of Ben Gunn and a meeting tonight. Perhaps he knows a place where we can hide.

JIM:

I'm sure he does, sir. I'm sure he does.

LIVESEY:

Ah. Then I'll go looking for Mr. Gunn within the hour.

MUSIC:

FOR NOCTURNAL EXCURSIONS ... IN BG

NARRATOR:

I, too, had a plan. Under cover of darkness, I slipped, unnoticed, from the stockade and reached the rocks where Ben Gunn kept his little boat. In my belt was a knife. I paddled silently out to the Hispaniola, climbed to the deck and cut the anchor rope.

SOUND:

ROPE CUT

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

SOUND:

LAP OF WATER AGAINST SHIP ... IN BG

HANDS:

So it be you, young Master Hawkins. Come to join us evil swabs, is ye?

NARRATOR:

It was Israel Hands. I struggled with every ounce of strength and broke away. But as I did, the map of Treasure Island fell from my shirt.

HANDS:

Flint's map! So it was you what had it.

NARRATOR:

I grabbed it from the deck and leaped for the rigging. I climbed higher and higher, but Hands was behind me. When I could go no further, I drew the pistol from my pocket.

JIM:

Stay where you are, Mr. Hands!

HANDS:

So you got a pistol, Master Hawkins.

JIM:

Go down to the deck.

HANDS:

Just like Silver said, "Smart as paint." Coming here with me all alone aboard.

JIM:

One more step, Mr. Hands, and - and I'll blow your brains out.

HANDS:

No, no, Matey.

MUSIC:

IN OMINOUSLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

Suddenly, he grabbed his knife and threw it. There was a great burst of pain as it pinned my shoulder to the mast. But I pulled the trigger and the body of Israel Hands hurtled into the sea.

MUSIC:

UP, FOR A FALL INTO THE SEA ... THEN BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

I clung to the ropes and pulled out the knife, but for moments after, I was unable to move. And then I saw that the tide was carrying the ship towards shore. Somehow, I climbed down and made my way to the beach.

SOUND:

NOCTURNAL ISLAND BACKGROUND

JIM:

(WEAKLY) Dr. Livesey? Squire? It's me, Jim. Open the gates. Please. Dr. Livesey?

SOUND:

GATE OPENS

SILVER:

Strike me, it's Matey! It's Jim!

JIM:

(WHISPERS IN HORROR) Silver!

SOUND:

BACKGROUND OUT

NARRATOR:

I must have fainted. When my senses returned, I was in the stockade. My friends were gone, and in their places stood Long John Silver and his cutthroats. But I made no move to let them know I could hear their talk.

SOUND:

FADE IN MURMUR OF SEAMEN

SILVER:

He'd been bleeding bad. Someone pinked him, for certain.

MERRY:

Save me from cuttin' his throat, the little swab.

SILVER:

Avast, George Merry! Stand clear.

MERRY:

Avast, is it? Maybe a touch of steel would show Master Hawkins which side he were on, and some others I could name as well.

SILVER:

Maybe you think you be captain here, eh, George?

MERRY:

This here crew would lay a sight more confidence in a captain that's allowed us our say about enemy prisoners.

SILVER:

Why, you knothead! With him bad hurt they'll part with the map to save his life. We'll hoist another flag of truce and hail that doctor.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR DOUBTFULLY

MERRY:

Afore this crew takes any more o' your orders, we claims our right o' council.

ANDERSON:

Aye, according to rules.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AGREEMENT ("Yeah!" "Aye" "According to the rules.")

SILVER:

Then have your council and be hanged!

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AND MOVE OFF

SILVER:

(LOW) Jim? Jim, can you hear me?

JIM:

Wha--? Where's Dr. Livesey? And the Squire?

SILVER:

They give us the slip, lad, during the night. Now lay still. You'll be cared for proper. Old John'll fetch the doctor here.

NARRATOR:

And then, lacking a leg as he did, he climbed with great labor to the top of the stockade, hung a flag of truce, and shouted for Dr. Livesey.

SILVER:

(LOW, TO JIM) Don't fret, boy. They'll see that flag. And, ah, speaking of seein' things, I just been seeing something meself -- the Hispaniola, beached on the shore. That be your doin', Jim? That be the cause of your hurt?

JIM:

Yes. I cut the anchor rope.

SILVER:

'Tis a real wicked trick, Jim. And was I you, I'd keep my mouth shut about it.

SOUND:

MURMURING SEAMEN APPROACH

MERRY:

We've finished council, Mr. Silver. This be for you.

SILVER:

A piece of paper, is it?

MERRY:

With a spot of black on it.

SILVER:

And the word, "Deposed." Wrote very pretty, George.

MERRY:

We're choosin' a new captain, and do they vote me in, I'll see to it--

SILVER:

There'll be no voting until the treasure map be disposed of. Until then, the black spot ain't worth a biscuit.

MERRY:

Map or no map, we ain't givin' up no hostage till we lays hands on treasure.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AGREEMENT

SILVER:

And how be ye to find same without the map?

LIVESEY:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) Silver?! Silver?!

ANDERSON:

It's him. The doctor. He's seen the flag.

SILVER:

Then lay to. All of you.

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AND RELUCTANTLY DISPERSE

SILVER:

(CALLS, TO LIVESEY) It's young Hawkins, sir! He be hurt!

LIVESEY:

(CALLS, FROM OFF) If Jim's there, bring him out of the stockade!

SILVER:

If I set you out yonder, Jim, do you give me your affy-davit not to slip cable?

JIM:

Yes. Word of honor.

SILVER:

(TO SEAMEN) Stand by while I parleys! And a sharp lookout on all sides!

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AGREEMENT

MERRY:

My eyes be on a man what's trying to get a foot in each camp. And him with only one leg.

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT ... FADE IN NOCTURNAL ISLAND BACKGROUND

NARRATOR:

We met some fifty yards from the stockade. As gently as he could, the doctor dressed my wound.

LIVESEY:

Taken to knifing boys, eh, Silver?

SILVER:

Not me, sir. Why, if it hadn't been for Long John, he'd've had his throat cut. He got aboard that Hispaniola, sir, which same he's gone and beached.

LIVESEY:

He's what? Jim?

JIM:

Last night. Yes.

SILVER:

Even so, when I find the lad -- half-dead he be -- I says to meself, John, you've got to save that dear boy.

LIVESEY:

Oh. So Captain Silver wants to join us again, hm?

SILVER:

Sir, I'll be honest and open with you, as I always am. I do. I thinks gold dust of this dear boy. Took to him like pitch, I did.

JIM:

You'd 'a' killed me yourself if you'd 'a' had the map. But you'll never get it. I'll die first.

SILVER:

But I got the map, Jim. Be this the same, or be it not?

SOUND:

MAP UNFOLDED

JIM:

Doctor! He's got it!

SILVER:

Last night, when I picks ye up outside the fort, there the map be in your shirt. (IRONIC) But old John ain't human, he ain't. He didn't care about saving his little Matey's life. All he wanted was this here map.

LIVESEY:

And what good's a treasure without a ship to haul it?

SILVER:

And what good be a ship, sir, if only to haul me to the hangman? Now, was I to further preserve young Hawkins life, do you think you could save mine?

LIVESEY:

You can save Jim?

SILVER:

I could guard the boy from them there scum. But they'll not give up till they sees the treasure dug.

LIVESEY:

Hm. I want to speak with the boy alone.

SILVER:

Speak and be welcome. (MOVING OFF) I'll stand off.

LIVESEY:

(BEAT, LOW) Jim? Jim, I don't know how you managed to save us that ship.

JIM:

But I lost the map.

LIVESEY:

Ah, your safety's far more important. Now listen. I'll make a quick break to draw their fire. And then, before they have time to reload, start running for the woods.

JIM:

The woods, sir?

LIVESEY:

Yes. We're with Ben Gunn. He knows a dozen hiding places.

JIM:

No. No, I can't. I gave Long John my word. They woulda killed me. They woulda killed me long before if it hadn't been for him.

LIVESEY:

But, Jim, don't--? (EXHALES, RESIGNED) Yes, perhaps you're right. (CALLS) All right, Silver.

SILVER:

Aye, sir?

LIVESEY:

Now you stay close to this boy. If we get out alive, I'll do my best to save you.

SILVER:

You couldn't say more was you my own mother.

LIVESEY:

Oh, heaven forbid. ... Good luck, Jim.

NARRATOR:

Back in the stockade, Long John Silver told the men he had just got the map from Dr. Livesey.

SOUND:

SEAMEN CHEER AND MURMUR NOISILY

SILVER:

And now, by thunder, I will resign! Elect anyone you please to be your captain. I'm done with ye.

MUSIC:

FOR A TREASURE HUNT ... THEN IN BG--

NARRATOR:

At once the treasure hunt was under way. They followed the map with unholy care, and in a frenzy, they started to dig, clawing at the ground like animals. In a matter of minutes they struck the chest. Wild-eyed and gasping, they heaved it to the surface and broke it open.

SOUND:

SEAMEN HOWL AND MURMUR GREEDILY AS THEY OPEN THE CHEST ... THEN STOP DEAD, STUNNED

MUSIC:

UP AND OUT

ANDERSON:

(DISBELIEF) What?

MERRY:

Empty! It's gone! Treasure's gone!

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR UNHAPPILY

SILVER:

(LOW) Stand by for trouble, Jim.

ANDERSON:

Look! One dirty guinea and that's all.

MERRY:

(SAVAGE) There's your seven hundred thousand pounds, Mr. Silver!

SILVER:

(DISARMING) Hardly worth dividing, is it, George?

MERRY:

So you did make a bargain with the doctor! They been here first! Look at his face, mates! You can see it in his face!

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR ANGRILY

ANDERSON:

Kill him! He sold us out!

SILVER:

I'm one against the lot of you! But I got two pistols, and the first one who--

SOUND:

SEAMEN MURMUR AGGRESSIVELY ... ONE GUNSHOT! THEN MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS! ... SEAMEN REACT WITH CONFUSION AND FEAR

MUSIC:

IN AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

Long John Silver had fired only once. The other shots came from Dr. Livesey, the Squire, Mr. Gray, and Ben Gunn. Unprepared for this sudden attack, the pirates were now our prisoners.

SOUND:

SEAMEN GRUMBLE UNHAPPILY

SILVER:

(SURPRISED) Ben Gunn. To think it was you what done me.

GUNN:

(CACKLES MADLY) How do, Mr. Silver? Pretty well, I thank ye. What happened to Flint's gold, says you? Ben Gunn's cave, says I.

JIM:

Cave? What cave?

SQUIRE:

It's true enough, Jim. That's where we've been these many hours. It's all there, lad. A treasure beyond dreams.

SILVER:

(WITH DISGUST) Save one dirty guinea!

MUSIC:

IN STIRRINGLY AND BEHIND NARRATOR--

NARRATOR:

So it was, just as the Squire said -- treasure beyond dreams. First came the task of taking our prisoners to the Hispaniola, then the matter of loading the treasure, and after that, back to shore for Long John Silver.

SOUND: SURF BACKGROUND

SILVER:

I been thinking, Captain Smollett, as to how you'll ever clear the vessel and get her out to sea again.

SMOLLETT:

High tide and a stretch of canvas and she'll float off, whenever we've a mind.

SQUIRE:

Yes, and that brings us to your fate, Mr. Silver.

SILVER:

I stands as ever, sir, ready to do me duty. And happy I am to think I had some small hand in saving young Master Hawkins.

SQUIRE:

And does that clear you of the crime of mutiny?

JIM:

Please, Squire. He did save my life.

SQUIRE:

Then, my boy, you're free to testify on his behalf. He'll have a fair trial in Bristol. And now, Captain -- I'll take this scoundrel back to the ship and clap him in irons.

SMOLLETT:

But not alone, Squire. Mr. Gray? You and Jim, take them in the longboat.

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT ... TRANSITIONAL PAUSE ... SCENE FADES IN ... STEADY ROWING OF OARS IN WATER, IN BG

SQUIRE:

Not a move out of you, Silver. None of your monkeyshines, mind you.

SILVER:

Would you permit a word, sir, with Matey?

SQUIRE:

Talk your fool head off, for all I care.

SILVER:

Thank ye. Thank ye kindly, sir. Jim, m'lad. I'm thinking of Captain Flint, I am. She be still in the stockade. Will you take the parrot, boy? Only remember, she can't abide a cage. None of us likes cages, Jim.

JIM:

(RELUCTANT) I - I couldn't, Long John.

SILVER:

You be fond of the bird, Matey?

JIM:

I'd like to keep her. But she'd only remind me of you.

SILVER:

Well, no matter. Though I would dearly love to leave a trinket to a - to a lad I respect.

SQUIRE:

Keep your hands in plain sight, Mr. Silver.

SILVER:

Me hands, sir? They just be patting the boy, sir.

SQUIRE:

Well, even so, I--

JIM:

Look out! He's got my pistol!

SQUIRE:

Put that down! Put that gun down! Put it down, I say!

SILVER:

Patting him I was, sir, and what should I come up with but this! Now! Drop your oars!

SOUND:

OARS DROP TO BOAT FLOOR

SILVER:

Into the water, Mr. Gray! Jump and swim for it! You, too, Squire!

SOUND: SPLASH! AS GRAY GOES OVERBOARD

SQUIRE:

Confound you! I'll have you hanged on the ship!

SILVER:

If I may make so bold, sir, I'm borrowing this longboat. So over you go.

SOUND: SPLASH! AS SQUIRE GOES OVERBOARD

SQUIRE:

You - you monster! How can I swim to shore?

SILVER:

Just spread yer blubber, Squire -- might be as you can float! As for you, Jim--

JIM:

(SULLEN) I'll jump. You don't have to tell me what to do.

SILVER:

Belay, now. I can't row and steer both. So I'm asking you to set me a true course through the channel and I'll put you off on yon piece of rock.

JIM:

And if I don't?

SILVER:

It's the last thing I'll ever ask of you, Matey.

SOUND: TILLER GRABBED AND OARS IN WATER ... IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--

NARRATOR:

I took the tiller. I sat in silence as he rowed desperately. There was a narrow channel. Finally, I saw my chance. I yanked the tiller and drove the boat into a sand bar.

SILVER:

You put us on the bar. Climb over and shove me off.

JIM:

I'll take no orders from you. And you can't do it yourself, can you? Not with one leg.

SILVER:

You put me on here and now you'll shove me off. Or by the powers, I'll crack your neck. They're coming after me in the jolly-boat.

JIM:

And they'll take you. And they'll hang you for your crimes. They'll take you to Bristol and-- (BEAT, SOBERLY) They can't. They can't hang you, John.

SILVER:

(WARM AND AFFECTIONATE) Jim. Jim, boy. Jim.

SOUND:

DURING ABOVE, JIM CLIMBS OUT OF BOAT ... BOAT SCRAPES OFF THE SAND BAR BEHIND--

SILVER:

That's it, lad. Shove her nose out. I might have knowed you'd never let 'em hang your old shipmate. (MOVING OFF AS HE CALLS TO JIM) I'll hoist a bit of sail out yonder. I'll make it safe enough! Goodbye, Matey! Good luck to ye!

MUSIC:

IN STIRRINGLY AND IN BG--

NARRATOR:

He was well out in open water when the Squire and Dr. Livesey reached the sandbar.

JIM:

He - he got away, Squire.

SQUIRE:

Oh, well. The sharks may do for him yet. Blast him, anyway. I'm as wet as a herring.

LIVESEY:

Blast him, indeed, Squire. And yet, I can almost find it in my heart to hope that he - makes it.

JIM:

He will, sir. I know he will!

MUSIC:

UP, FOR CURTAIN

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

Before our stars return for their curtain calls, here's Libby Collins with the movie news of the week.

LIBBY COLLINS:

News about two premieres. First, one of the most important Hollywood premieres in recent years. Tomorrow night, Twentieth Century-Fox will open "The Mudlark" at the Chinese Theatre for the benefit of one of Irene Dunne's favorite charities.

ANNOUNCER:

An opening that will mean new laurels for Irene.

LIBBY COLLINS:

Yes, indeed.

ANNOUNCER:

It took a lot of courage to play England's beloved Queen Victoria with an all-British cast.

LIBBY COLLINS:

And she won them completely. From all over England, they sent her little souvenirs of Victoria.

ANNOUNCER:

The entire action in "The Mudlark" takes place in one day, doesn't it?

LIBBY COLLINS:

Uh huh. An adventurous urchin induces the widowed Victoria to break fifteen years of seclusion.

ANNOUNCER:

That must have simplified Irene's costume.

LIBBY COLLINS:

Well, yes, and no. The white touches, for which Victoria was famous, had to be kept spotless. Now, you know, keeping whites really white used to be almost as difficult as keeping colors bright. But not any more. This month, Hollywood -- and smart women everywhere -- are flocking to another premiere, New Lux with Color Freshener -- that marvelous new Lux that keeps whites purest white; gay prints and colors brighter than you ever dreamed possible. It's a real beauty bath for colors.

ANNOUNCER:

Irene Dunne has been a Lux fan for years.

LIBBY COLLINS:

And she says this new Lux is more marvelous than ever. Why, it leaves even delicate lingerie shades so ravishingly lovely she can hardly believe they aren't brand new. Now, more than ever, screen stars insist on New Lux with Color Freshener for all their personal things. It renews all the sparkling beauty of lovely slips and nighties, dresses and blouses, every time you wash them. And it's mild and safe as ever.

ANNOUNCER:

New Lux with Color Freshener is in your store now. Get a big box tomorrow. Give all your washables that nice-as-new Lux look. Now, here's Mr. Keighley with our stars.

HOST:

Many thanks to our stars for recreating one of our favorite stories. And here they are -- James Mason, Bobby Driscoll, and Nigel Bruce.

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

HOST:

Bobby, you've appeared in Walt Disney's pictures before, haven't you?

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Oh, yes. But I didn't like playing in them as well as "Treasure Island."

JAMES MASON:

Why was that, Bobby?

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Well, they had animals in 'em. You know what scene stealers they are.

JAMES MASON:

Oh, yes, we know all about little scene stealers, don't we, Nigel?

NIGEL BRUCE:

(CHUCKLES) Yes, I say we do. ... You know, Bobby, I first played Squire Trelawney in Nineteen Hundred and Thirty-Four. It's a great story of England, "Treasure Island." Tell me, Bobby, how did you like England, where you - where you made the picture?

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Oh, just fine, Mr. Bruce. It was quite an experience.

HOST:

And how about the Lux Radio Theatre? Did you enjoy playing here, the rehearsals and all?

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Oh, just fine. Except, in England, after the rehearsals, we always had tea.

JAMES MASON:

Well, here, Bobby, we all have Lux Flakes. ...

HOST:

(CHUCKLES)

JAMES MASON:

I think that's a much nicer arrangement, don't you?

NIGEL BRUCE:

You know, you're becoming quite Americanized, James. I understand that you've named your new picture company after one of their cities. Er, Portland Pictures, isn't it?

JAMES MASON:

Yes, Nigel, indirectly, yes. It's really named after my young daughter Portland, who is named after her godmother, Portland Hoffa, who, in turn, is named after Portland, Oregon. ...

HOST:

(CHUCKLES)

JAMES MASON:

Still confusing, isn't it?

NIGEL BRUCE:

Well, it is a bit, old man, yes.

JAMES MASON:

Incidentally, our first picture production is "A Lady Possessed," adapted from my wife's best-selling novel.

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

You certainly have a talented family, Mr. Mason.

HOST:

Now, you're pretty talented yourself, Bobby -- acting, athletics--

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

And don't forget, I'm a Boy Scout.

NIGEL BRUCE:

I was one once, Bobby.

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Oh?

NIGEL BRUCE:

'Bout - 'bout eighty years ago. ...

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

(LAUGHS)

JAMES MASON:

Bill, I understand that next week your play is a romantic comedy.

HOST:

Yes, James, it's that entrancing one from Universal International Studios, "Louisa." And, as our stars, from the original cast, we will have Ronald Reagan, Ruth Hussey, Charles Coburn, Edmund Gwenn, Spring Byington, and Piper Laurie.

JAMES MASON:

What a cast! We'll be listening. Good night.

BOBBY DRISCOLL:

Good night.

NIGEL BRUCE:

Good night.

HOST:

Good night, and happy treasure hunting.

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

Here's the bargain of the year -- a pair of all-purpose kitchen shears for only fifty cents -- now during Lever Brothers' "Star Value" sale. These sturdy shears are actually worth one dollar and twenty-five cents, but they're yours for only fifty cents and two wrappers from Lux Toilet Soap. You'll find dozens of uses for these heavy-duty shears. They're wonderful for cutting cardboard, twine, fabrics, and flower stems; for cleaning and boning fish, cutting up chickens, even opening bottles and cracking nuts. They'll last for years. And you can have them for only fifty cents, plus two wrappers from Lux Toilet Soap. Send coin and wrappers with your name and address to "Shears, Box Sixteen, New York Forty-Six, New York." Order several pairs; they make grand shower gifts, marvelous bridge prizes. I'll repeat that address. "Shears, Box Sixteen, New York Forty-Six, New York." For every pair ordered, send fifty cents, with two wrappers from Lux Toilet Soap. This offer expires March thirty-first. Send for your all-purpose kitchen shears today.

MUSIC:

LUX THEME ... CONTINUES IN BG

HOST:

Lever Brothers Company, the makers of Lux Flakes, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday evening, when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Ronald Reagan, Ruth Hussey, Charles Coburn, Edmund Gwenn, Spring Byington, and Piper Laurie in "Louisa." This is William Keighley saying good night to you from Hollywood.

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

MUSIC:

LUX THEME ... CONTINUES TILL END

ANNOUNCER:

Ladies and gentlemen, may we remind you that United States Savings Bonds are still your best investment. They're both safe and profitable, and you can buy them easily through your Payroll Savings plan. You'll be helping both yourself and your country when you buy United States Savings Bonds.

"Treasure Island" was presented, and Bobby Driscoll appeared, by special arrangement with Walt Disney. Heard in our cast tonight were Charles Davis as the Narrator, Ben Wright as Dr. Livesey, and Bill Johnstone as the Captain. And Herbert Butterfield, Bill Conrad, Jay Novello, Eric Snowden, Ed Max, Norman Field, Lou Krugman, Eddie Marr, and Dorothy Lloyd. Our play was adapted by S. H. Barnett and our music was directed by Rudy Schrager. This is your announcer, John Milton Kennedy, reminding you to join us again next Monday night to hear, "Louisa," starring Ronald Reagan, Ruth Hussey, Charles Coburn, Edmund Gwenn, Spring Byington, and Piper Laurie. Stay tuned for MY FRIEND IRMA, which follows over these same stations.

SOUND:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.