The mate replied, “I came up here to see what quantity of provision the lad might have. By his account, it will not last more than a month, and it will take some time before we can reach where we are likely to fall in with any vessel. Stay here we cannot, for we shall only eat the provision and lose time; therefore the sooner we are off the better.”
“If you take all the provision, of course you will take the lad with you?” replied she.
“Of course we will.”
“And my chest, and my seal?” inquired I.
“Yes, your chest, certainly; but as for your seal, I do not know what to say to that—he will be starved in the boat, and if you give him his liberty, he will do well enough.”
“What you say is very true,” replied the woman. “I am afraid, boy, that you will have to part with your friend. It will be better for both of you.”
I made no reply; for it cut me to the heart to think of parting with Nero; but still I had sense enough to perceive that what they said was right.
The mate then went into the cabin, and examined the heap of dried birds which I had collected, and having made his calculation, said that there were sufficient for three weeks, but not more.
“And when do you think of leaving this island?” inquired the woman.
“The day after to-morrow, if I can persuade the men, madam,” replied he; “but you know they are not very easy to manage, and very thoughtless, especially now that they have so unexpectedly fallen in with liquor.”