"It is a pity Antonio ventured to exceed his orders."
"Yes, the fool was richly repaid for his act, but I could wish it had been by a different hand."
"That extra blow gave Sturdy a pretext for his summary vengeance. But for that his conduct could have been construed into mutiny and disrespect to you."
"And then I might have put him in irons."
"You might do it now, but for——"
"But for the crew, you would say. That alone prevents me. The fellow, unluckily, has secured their sympathy. Would that I could devise some way for taking vengeance safely upon this rebellious scoundrel."
The mate leaned his head upon his hand, and gave himself up to reflection. Something occurred to him, for lifting his head again, he asked,—
"Have you ever been in Rio Janeiro, Captain Brace?"
"Never but once, and that some nine or ten years since."
"There are desperadoes in that city, as in others," pursued Randall, fixing his eyes intently upon the captain.