"And this," thought I, gazing in horror at the captain, who, with a
quiet look of indifference, leaned upon the taffrail smoking a cigar
and contemplating the fertile green islets as they passed like a lovely
picture before our eyes--"this is the man who favours the missionaries
because they are useful to him and can tame the savages better than any
one else can do it!" Then I wondered in my mind whether it were
possible for any missionary to tame _him_!
Chapter XXIV
Bloody Bill is communicative and sagacious--Unpleasant
prospects--Retrospective meditations interrupted by volcanic agency
--The pirates negotiate with a Feejee chief--Various etceteras that are
calculated to surprise and horrify.
It was many days after the events just narrated ere I recovered a
little of my wonted spirits. I could not shake off the feeling for a
long time that I was in a frightful dream, and the sight of our captain
filled me with so much horror that I kept out of his way as much as my
duties about the cabin would permit. Fortunately he took so little
notice of me that he did not observe my changed feelings towards him,
otherwise it might have been worse for me.
But I was now resolved that I would run away the very first island we
should land at, and commit myself to the hospitality of the natives
rather than remain an hour longer than I could help in the pirate
schooner. I pondered this subject a good deal, and at last made up my
mind to communicate my intention to Bloody Bill; for during several
talks I had had with him of late, I felt assured that he too would
willingly escape if possible.
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