whence, whither

[stephenlearner]

Hi,

These sentences are from Treasure Island. "The hamlet lay not hundred yards away though out of view, on the other side of the next cove; and what greatly encouraged me, it was in an opposite from that whence the blind man had made his appearance, and whither he had presumably returned."

Are the words "whence" and "whither" archaic now? In the sentences above, can I change "that whence" and "whither" to "where"?

Thank you.

 

[boozer]

Yes, they are archaic, especially 'whither'.

If you are going to change, words, bear in mind that:
whence - from where
whither - to where

 

[natkretep]

... it was in an opposite from the place from which the blind man had made his appearance, and to which he had presumably returned.

 

[tunaafi]

The word 'direction' has been omitted after 'opposite'.