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Accounts of Goings-On

Silver giving his first address.

The Accounts of Goings-On were pieces of gossip that John Silver learned from Randall and would then recount to the crew for their amusement. Silver would begin each address by stomping his foot on the deck, a tradition the rest of the crew then adopted.


History[]

Background[]

While growing up in the St. John’s Home for Poor Orphan Boys, John Silver observed a boy named Solomon Little, who despite being ugly, was never picked on by the other boys. According to Silver, this was because he knew that it wasn’t about them to like him, but to remind them how much they dislike each other. Every morning, Little would stand up and make his address, and everyone would eagerly listen. 

Season Two[]

After Flint advises John Silver to figure out a way to get back on the crew, which commuted their death sentences but still voted to expel the two from the crew once they reach Nassau. After watching an exchange between Muldoon and Randall, after which Randall declares his dislike of the former, Silver gets an idea. 

While the crew eats, Silver stands up and announces that he is conducting the first volume of the account of goings-on. He says the weather is fair, with a fresh topsail gale, north by northeast. For his first item, Silver tells them that a certain member of the crew, whom he will not name, was seen dozing during the night watch. Another member of the same watch then took the opportunity to take three pieces from his pocket. 

In response, Wayne punches Silver to the ground and tells him to shut up. Aside, Silver explains to Flint his past with Solomon Little and his daily addresses. 

In his fourth volume, Silver tells the crew that there is a light breeze, west southwest, and that sunset is i roughly three hours. His first item is that a certain member of the rigging crew, who he declines to name, was relieving himself over the side of the ship. Without any other options, he chose to wipe with the bare palm of his hand. Dooley then punches Silver, and slowly drags his hand across Silver’s face. 

For his next item, he says that a member of the third watch entered the pen late the previous night sometime after three bells. Although no one saw him enter or exit, evidence of his presence was clear, as upon inspection, the dairy goat’s anus was irritated from overuse. 

Palmer then punches Silver, expecting everyone to laugh as they did the previous times, but Joshua looks at him and asks him if he had sex with the dairy goat. Joshua then punches him. Joshua then drags Palmer over to the rest of the crew, who join in beating him. After this, Silver is successfully reinducted into the crew and the goings-on become tradition. 

After Flint is reelected as captain, the crew sails back to Nassau. Silver gives another account where the main item is that Joji was masturbating on the ship’s figurehead. For the last item, Silver relays to the crew that Flint and Dufresne have chosen to anchor their ship one mile north-northeast off the western tip of the Hog well beyond view of Nassau Town. He says that watches will continue on schedule while provisions are secured via longboat. Dooley objects and asks why they aren’t voting over the issue of their anchorage. Dooley explains that he wants to go home, and thinks that Flint is trying to skirt the rules again right after being reelected. Silver explains that they’re sailing a Spanish warship, and Captain Hornigold’s fort protects the bay from Spanish warships. He says that he imagines that the captain and quartermaster thought it self evident that someone needs to go ahead and explain to prevent a reactionary attack. Dooley asks why the Black isn’t identification enough, and Silver points out that they’re flying the Black behind the giant red crosses on the sails, which the crew laughs at. Dooley insists he wants a vote, but Logan calms him down.  

As the crew sails to Charles Town, Silver gives another address. He says for the last item, he knows that his role is to recount information but he asks the crew for permission to indulge him in a personal account. He says that five years ago, he served on a merchant vessel running slaves in and out of Charles Town. He says he remembers the first time he saw the walls, patrol ships and all their guns. He tells them that his first mate saw the look on his face and leaned in and said that Charles Town is a place “resolved never to be fucked with.” As they were unloading their cargo, he observed a a gathering in the square around the gallows. He says he watched them haul up a man named Solomon Little. As he watched Little swing, the crowd jeered and laughed and celebrated. Silver warns the crew that what lies ahead isn’t just Governor Ashe and his men, the people of the city are eager to see their entire crew dead. If Flint is to make it through this alive, everyone will need to be focused and at their best. 

In a private conversation, Billy Bones and Mr. Scott discuss Silver’s storytelling ability. Bones reveals to Scott that the story is actually a combination of two other crew members’ stories, Bernard’s and Jeffries'. 

After they arrive in Charles Town, Silver searches for Randall so he can get some information for the next address, which is due at next bells. Silver finds Randall stabbed to death in the galley, beginning the Boarding of the Spanish Man O’ War.

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