“No, indeed; but I believe that I am indebted to you for this bullet in my shoulder,” replied the mate.
“You are,” replied Francisco, coolly.
“And depend upon it the debt shall be repaid with usury.”
“I have no doubt of it, if ever it is in your power; but I fear you not.”
As Francisco made this reply, the captain came up the ladder. Hawkhurst turned away and walked forward.
“There is mischief in that man, Francisco,” said the captain in an under-tone; “I hardly know whom to trust; but he must be watched. He is tampering with the men, and has been for some time; not that it is of much consequence, if he does but remain quiet for a little while. The command of this vessel he is welcome to very soon; but if he attempts too early—”
“I have those I can trust to,” replied Francisco. “Let us go below.”
Francisco sent for Pompey the Krouman, and gave him his directions in the presence of the captain. That night, to the surprise of all, Hawkhurst kept his watch; and notwithstanding the fatigue, appeared every day to be rapidly recovering from his wound.
Nothing occurred for several days, during which the Avenger still continued her course. What the captain’s intentions were did not transpire; they were known only to Francisco.
“We are very short of water, sir,” reported Hawkhurst one morning: “shall we have enough to last us to where we are going?”