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Elisha Cuthbert Photos Books: Martin Eden The Pickwick Papers The Sea Wolf |
had backed away from him, almost weeping at my inability to shoot
him, but not fool enough to put down the gun. I hoped,
desperately, that he might commit some hostile act, attempt to
strike me or choke me; for in such way only I knew I could be
stirred to shoot.
"This is Endeavour Island," I said.
"Never heard of it," he broke in.
"At least, thats our name for it," I amended.
"Our?" he queried. "Whos our?"
"Miss Brewster and myself. And the Ghost is lying, as you can see
for yourself, bow on to the beach."
"There are seals here," he said. "They woke me up with their
barking, or Id be sleeping yet. I heard them when I drove in last
night. They were the first warning that I was on a lee shore.
Its a rookery, the kind of a thing Ive hunted for years. Thanks
to my brother Death, Ive lighted on a fortune. Its a mint.
Whats its bearings?"
"Havent the least idea," I said. "But you ought to know quite
closely. What were your last observations?"
He smiled inscrutably, but did not answer.
"Well, wheres all hands?" I asked. "How does it come that you are
alone?"
I was prepared for him again to set aside my question, and was
surprised at the readiness of his reply.
"My brother got me inside forty-eight hours, and through no fault
of mine. Boarded me in the night with only the watch on deck.
Hunters went back on me. He gave them a bigger lay. Heard him
offering it. Did it right before me. Of course the crew gave me
the go-by. That was to be expected. All hands went over the side,
and there I was, marooned on my own vessel. It was Deaths turn,
and its all in the family anyway."
"But how did you lose the masts?" I asked.
"Walk over and examine those lanyards," he said, pointing to where
the mizzen-rigging should have been.
"They have been cut with a knife!" I exclaimed.
"Not quite," he laughed. "It was a neater job. Look again."
I looked. The lanyards had been almost severed, with just enough
left to hold the shrouds till some severe strain should be put upon
them
"Cooky did that," he laughed again. "I know, though I didnt spot
him at it. Kind of evened up the score a bit."
"Good for Mugridge!" I cried.
"Yes, thats what I thought when everything went over the side.
Only I said it on the other side of my mouth."
"But what were you doing while all this was going on?" I asked.
"My best, you may be sure, which wasnt much under the
circumstances."
I turned to re-examine Thomas Mugridges work.
"I guess Ill sit down and take the sunshine," I heard Wolf Larsen
saying.
There was a hint, just a slight hint, of physical feebleness in his
voice, and it was so strange that I looked quickly at him. His
hand was sweeping nervously across his face, as though he were
brushing away cobwebs. I was puzzled. The whole thing was so
unlike the Wolf Larsen I had known.
"How are your headaches?" I asked.
"They still trouble me," was his answer. "I think I have one
coming on now."
He slipped down from his sitting posture till he lay on the deck.
Then he rolled over on his side, his head resting on the biceps of
the under arm, the forearm shielding his eyes from the sun. I
stood regarding him wonderingly.
"Nows your chance, Hump," he said.
"I dont understand," I lied, for I thoroughly understood.
"Oh, nothing," he added softly, as if he were drowsing; "only
youve got me where you want me."
"No, I havent," I retorted; "for I want you a few thousand miles
away from here."
He chuckled, and thereafter spoke no more. He did not stir as I
passed by him and went down into the cabin. I lifted the trap in
the floor, but for some moments gazed dubiously into the darkness
of the lazarette beneath. I hesitated to descend. What if his
lying down were a ruse? Pretty, indeed, to be caught there like a
rat. I crept softly up the companion-way and peeped at him. He
was lying as I had left him. Again I went below; but before I
dropped into the lazarette I took the precaution The Sea Wolf page 119 The Sea Wolf page 121 |