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- 5075
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- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.149Z
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- start_line
- 5012
- text
- the marks of the ship’s company, at the bottom, asked us, one by one,
whether we acknowledged the same for our own.
“What’s the use of asking that?” said Black Dan; “Captain Guy there
knows as well as we they are.”
“Silence, sir!” said Wilson, who, intending to produce a suitable
impression by this ridiculous parade, was not a little mortified by the
old sailor’s bluntness.
A pause of a few moments now ensued; during which the bench of judges
communed with Captain Guy, in a low tone, and the sailors canvassed the
motives of the consul in having the affidavits taken.
The general idea seemed to be that it was done with a view of
“bouncing,” or frightening us into submission. Such proved to be the
case; for Wilson, rising to his feet again, addressed us as follows:—
“You see, men, that every preparation has been made to send you to
Sydney for trial. The Rosa (a small Australian schooner, lying in the
harbour) will sail for that place in the course of ten days, at
farthest. The Julia sails on a cruise this day week. Do you still
refuse duty?”
We did.
Hereupon the consul and captain exchanged glances; and the latter
looked bitterly disappointed.
Presently I noticed Guy’s eye upon me; and, for the first time, he
spoke, and told me to come near. I stepped forward.
“Was it not you that was taken off the island?”
“It was.”
“It was you then who owe your life to my humanity. Yet this is the
gratitude of a sailor, Mr. Wilson!”
“Not so, sir.” And I at once gave him to understand that I was
perfectly acquainted with his motives in sending a boat into the bay;
his crew was reduced, and he merely wished to procure the sailor whom
he expected to find there. The ship was the means of my deliverance,
and no thanks to the benevolence of its captain.
Doctor Long Ghost also had a word to say. In two masterly sentences he
summed up Captain Guy’s character, to the complete satisfaction of
every seaman present.
Matters were now growing serious; especially as the sailors became
riotous, and talked about taking the consul and the captain back to the
Calabooza with them.
The other judges fidgeted, and loudly commanded silence. It was at
length restored; when Wilson, for the last time addressing us, said
something more about the Rose and Sydney, and concluded by reminding us
that a week would elapse ere the Julia sailed.
Leaving these hints to operate for themselves, he dismissed the party,
ordering Captain Bob and his friends to escort us back whence we came.
- title
- Chunk 2