At this moment Rodrigues came on deck from below, whither he had descended upon quitting Lady Biddy.
"You wish Tonga to be relieved from his pain," asks he.
"Yes, yes," cries she; "don't you see that his arms are being torn from his body?"
"His plight is not so bad as that," says Rodrigues. "However, if you wish to save him from his discomfort you may do so by a single word; though 'tis a thankless service on your part, for if he were allowed free use of his deliverance he would employ it to destroy you."
"No matter," cries Lady Biddy, as another yell reached her ear. "Let him go, I say."
"You shall be obeyed immediately if you will give yourself the trouble to step this way and answer one question."
Saying this, Rodrigues turned toward the roundhouse; but instead of going into the cabin as before, he ascended the steps to the poop deck, over which there hung a tent of fine canvas.
Without regarding whither she went, Lady Biddy accompanied him, being distracted with the ringing of the negro's cry in her ear, and concerned only for his release.
Being come upon this deck, Rodrigues, standing in the gangway and facing my lady, said:
"Lady Biddy, the man hanging from the yard-arm has been strung up in order that I may know who stabbed him. I must get that information for my own safety and the safety of my company, for the hand that struck Tonga might strike me. You see, I am quite reasonable in the view I take of things."