Then it was that there came into my head the first of the mad notions that contributed so much to save our lives.
 Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island (1883). copy citation

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Author Robert Louis Stevenson
Source Treasure Island
Topic madness ideas creativity
Date 1883
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink https://www.gutenberg.org/files/120/120-h/120-h.htm

Context

“It is one thing to be idle and skulk and quite another to take a ship and murder a number of innocent men.
At last, however, the party was made up. Six fellows were to stay on board, and the remaining thirteen, including Silver, began to embark.
Then it was that there came into my head the first of the mad notions that contributed so much to save our lives. If six men were left by Silver, it was plain our party could not take and fight the ship; and since only six were left, it was equally plain that the cabin party had no present need of my assistance. It occurred to me at once to go ashore.” source

Meaning and analysis

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