In fact _Treasure Island_ (1883), with which he at last made his mark, is to this day classed as a boy's book by some people who are miserable if they cannot classify.

It certainly deals with pirates, and pieces of eight, and adventures by land and sea; but the manner of dealing--the style and narrative and the delineation of the chief character, the engaging villain John Silver--is about as little puerile as anything that can be imagined.

From that time Stevenson's reputation was assured.

Ill health, a somewhat restless disposition, and an early death prevented him from accomplishing any great bulk of work: and the merit of what he did varied.

Latterly he took to a teasing process of collaboration, which his sincerest admirers could have willingly spared.