I carry on a trade in sandal-wood with the Feejee Islands; and if
you choose, Ralph, to behave yourself and be a good boy, I'll take you
along with me and give you a good share of the profits. You see I'm in
want of an honest boy like you to look after the cabin and keep the log
and superintend the traffic on shore sometimes. What say you, Ralph:
would you like to become a sandal-wood trader?"
I was much surprised by this explanation, and a good deal relieved to
find that the vessel, after all, was not a pirate; but, instead of
replying, I said, "If it be as you state, then why did you take me from
my island, and why do you not now take me back?"
The captain smiled as he replied, "I took you off in anger, boy, and
I'm sorry for it. I would even now take you back, but we are too far
away from it. See, there it is," he added, laying his finger on the
chart, "and we are now here--fifty miles at least. It would not be fair
to my men to put about now, for they have all an interest in the
trade."
I could make no reply to this; so, after a little more conversation, I
agreed to become one of the crew--at least, until we could reach some
civilised island where I might be put ashore. The captain assented to
this proposition, and after thanking him for the promise, I left the
cabin and went on deck with feelings that ought to have been lighter,
but which were, I could not tell why, marvellously heavy and
uncomfortable still.
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