“It came to pass soon after, that thinking to make themselves rich, the crew, under the command of an evil-minded half-caste, mutinied. They killed the mate, and those of the men that had taken the captain’s part. Then they ran the ship on the rocks and left the rest to perish.”
“All the rest?”
“No, not all the rest. They took away the boy, and the boy’s nurse, and sold them both for slaves—”
Yanakova’s excitement was almost fearful to witness. He had raised himself to his knees, and thus remained clutching Tom’s hands.
“The boy’s name?” he gasped.
“Bernard Herbert, and you are he!”
“Then the Great Spirit has heard my prayer. I have found one who can tell me of my parents. Does mother live?”
“Alas, no. But your sister and father lives, I hope.”
“My sister?”
“Yes, the child ’Theena.”