I never cared for
Christianity myself," he continued in a soliloquising voice, "and I
don't well know what it means; but a man with half an eye can see what
it does for these black critters. However, the captain always keeps a
sharp lookout after us when we get to these islands, for he half
suspects that one or two o' us are tired of his company. Then we might
manage to cut the boat adrift some fine night when it's our watch on
deck, and clear off before they discovered that we were gone.' But we
would run the risk o' bein' caught by the blacks, I wouldn't like to
try that plan. But you and I will think over it, Ralph, and see what's
to be done. In the meantime it's our watch below, so I'll go and turn
in."
Bill then bade me good-night, and went below, while a comrade took his
place at the helm; but feeling no desire to enter into conversation
with him, I walked aft, and leaning over the stern, looked down into
the phosphorescent waves that gurgled around the rudder, and streamed
out like a flame of blue light in the vessel's wake. My thoughts were
very sad, and I could scarce refrain from tears as I contrasted my
present wretched position with the happy, peaceful time I had spent on
the Coral Island with my dear companions. As I thought upon Jack and
Peterkin, anxious forebodings crossed my mind, and I pictured to myself
the grief and dismay with which they would search every nook and corner
of the island, in a vain attempt to discover my dead body; for I felt
assured that if they did not see any sign of the pirate schooner or
boat when they came out of the cave to look for me, they would never
imagine that I had been carried away.
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