The supercargo spoke sternly, and the captain felt arraigned for his action, and this irritated him.
“I have to think of my ship,” he said.
“In what way would it have injured the ship, if you had lowered the boat for Harry?”
“I cannot afford to lose time.”
“Have you thought how much time the poor boy has lost, whose life is probably a sacrifice to your criminal negligence? A life which, in all probability, would have been prolonged to seventy, has been cut short at fifteen. Fifty-five years lost to save one hour in the voyage of the Sea Eagle!” said Weldon, scornfully.
“I am not responsible to you, Mr. Weldon,” said Brandon, with irritation, “I acted as I thought for the best. I am the captain of this ship, not you.”
“I am aware of that. Captain Brandon. But you could not expect me to stand by and see a human life sacrificed without uttering my earnest protest. Any life would be worth saving,—the life of this bright, manly boy more than most. His death lies at your door.”
“You have said as much before,” said the captain, sulkily. “If you have no more to say, I will trouble you to leave me to myself.”
“I have something more to say,” said the supercargo, regarding the captain fixedly. “I am aware of the manner in which this boy was entrapped on board your vessel. What motive you had in carrying him away from home and friends I do not know. You perhaps know, also,” the young man continued, “whether in leaving him to his sad fate you are not influenced by a similar motive.”