--"But I will soon follow you, Paul; I have
had my warning already; I know it, and I believe it." At this instant
the dead hand of the mate burst the ligature that kept it down across
his body, and slowly rose up and remained in a beckoning attitude. I was
seized with a cold shivering from head to foot, and would have shrieked
aloud, had it not been for very shame, but Obed was unmoved.--"I know
it, Paul. I know it. I am ready, and I shall not be long behind you."
He fastened the arm down once more, and having called a couple of hands
to assist him, they lashed up the remains of their shipmate in his
hammock, with a piece of iron ballast at his feet, and then, without
more ado, handed the body up through the skylight; and I heard the heavy
splash as they cast it into the sea. When this was done, the captain
returned to the cabin, bringing a light with him, filled and drank off a
glass of strong grog. Yet he did not even now deign to notice me, which
was by no means soothing; and I found that, since he wouldn't speak, I
must, at all hazards.
"I say, Obed, do you ever read your Bible?" He looked steadily at me
with his lacklustre eyes. "Because, if you do, you may perhaps have
fallen in with some such passages as the following:--Behold I am in your
hand; but know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall
surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves."
"It is true, Mr Cringle, I feel the truth of it here," and he laid his
large bony hand on his heart.
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