But my thoughts soon reverted to the dear companions whom I had left on
shore, and as I turned towards the Coral Island, which was now far away
to leeward, I sighed deeply, and the tears polled slowly down my cheeks
as I thought that I might never see them more.
"So you're blubbering, are you, you obstinate whelp?" said the deep
voice of the captain, as he came up and gave me a box on the ear that
nearly felled me to the deck. "I don't allow any such weakness aboard
o' this ship. So clap a stopper on your eyes, or I'll give you
something to cry for."
I flushed with indignation at this rough and cruel treatment, but felt
that giving way to anger would only make matters worse, so I made no
reply, but took out my handkerchief and dried my eyes.
"I thought you were made of better stuff," continued the captain
angrily. "I'd rather have a mad bulldog aboard than a water-eyed puppy.
But I'll cure you, lad, or introduce you to the sharks before long. Now
go below, and stay there till I call you."
As I walked forward to obey, my eye fell on a small keg standing by the
side of the main-mast, on which the word gunpowder was written in
pencil. It immediately flashed across me that, as we were beating up
against the wind, anything floating in the sea would be driven on the
reef encircling the Coral Island. I also recollected--for thought is
more rapid than the lightning--that my old companions had a pistol.
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