Half dazed, stunned, and blinded, Robinson fought it out, and struggling fiercely, he shook himself free.
And then he fled like a beaten cur from the house.
Joe Deering did not attempt to follow him.
"There," he said, calmly enough, considering what had gone before, "that's done. Thank goodness it's off my mind. Mr. Murray must have my next attention."
He little thought that the wretched shipowner had already paid the penalty of his crimes.
Jovial Captain Robinson was never the same man again.
Whether it was the physical or the mental punishment he had had, we cannot possibly determine, but certain it is that something broke him up from that day, and he lingered on a miserable life of two years or more, and died in abject want.
CHAPTER C.
A DOSE OF PALM OIL.