Indeed, from
what Bill said, I found that he might consider himself lucky in having
escaped with his life, which would certainly have been forfeited had
the chief been possessed of a club at the tune.
"Have these wretched creatures no law among themselves," said I, "which
can restrain such wickedness?"
"None," replied Bill. "The chiefs word is law. He might kill and eat a
dozen of his own subjects any day for nothing more than his own
pleasure, and nobody would take the least notice of it."
This ferocious deed took place within sight of our party as we wended
our way to the beach, but I could not observe any other expression on
the faces of the men than that of total indifference or contempt. It
seemed to me a very awful thing that it should be possible for men to
come to such hardness of heart and callousness to the sight of
bloodshed and violence; but, indeed, I began to find that such constant
exposure to scenes of blood was having a slight effect upon myself, and
I shuddered when I came to think that I too was becoming callous.
I thought upon this subject much that night while I walked up and down
the deck during my hours of watch, and I came to the conclusion that if
I, who hated, abhorred, and detested such bloody deeds as I had
witnessed within the last few weeks, could so soon come to be less
sensitive about them, how little wonder that these poor ignorant
savages, who were born and bred in familiarity therewith, should think
nothing of them at all, and should hold human life in so very slight
esteem!
Chapter XXVI
Mischief brewing--My blood is made to ran cold--Evil
consultations and wicked resolves--Bloody Bill attempts to do good, and
fails--The attack--Wholesale murder--The flight--The escape.
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