'What influence my mother's memory may have over you, I know not; I only regret that, in any way, she had the misfortune to be connected with you.'
'She had the influence,' replied Cain, 'which a woman must have over a man when they have for years swung in the same cot; but that is wearing off fast. I tell you so candidly; I will not even allow her memory to check me, if I find you continue your late course. You have shown disaffection before the crew—you have disputed my orders—and I have every reason to believe that you are now plotting against me.'
'Can I do otherwise than show my abhorrence,' replied Francisco, 'when I witness such acts of horror, of cruelty—cold-blooded cruelty, as lately have been perpetrated? Why do you bring me here? and why do you now detain me? All I ask is, that you will allow me to leave the vessel. You are not my father; you have told me so.'
'No, I am not your father; but—you are your mother's son.'
'That gives you no right to have power over me, even if you had been married to my mother; which——'
'I was not.'
'I thank God; for marriage with you would have been even greater disgrace.'
'What!' cried Cain, starting up, seizing the young man by the neck, and lifting him off his seat as if he had been a puppet; 'but no—I cannot forget your mother.' Cain released Francisco, and resumed his seat on the locker.
'As you please,' said Francisco, as soon as he had recovered himself; 'it matters little whether I am brained by your own hand, or launched overboard as a meal for the sharks; it will be but one more murder.'
'Mad fool! why do you tempt me thus?' replied Cain, again starting up, and hastily quitting the cabin.