The master fisherman drew back his arm, and let fall the stone. Even in his fury he felt the force of his natural veneration. He brought a rope, and tied the sailor down.
“Do the same to the other,” said the priest, now almost exhausted by his effort, “tie him too.”
The remaining sailor, who was still languidly rolling at the bottom of the cutter, with the fisherman, was next pinioned.
“See now to the wounded,” said the priest, who now, when his first terror was over, displayed great presence of mind.
The two men who had been shot were examined. They still breathed, although their wounds were very serious.
The attention of the priest was now turned towards Agnes, who sat almost petrified with fear in the place where she was.
“Thank God, this danger is also past,” said the priest to her, “I must be guilty of some grievous sin, indeed,” continued the good father, “to have thus drawn down upon us the chastisement of Providence. Twice have we passed through bloodshed and death, and who knows what new perils we may still have to encounter before we reach Trinidad.”
“Yes: and when shall we reach it? It looks as if we were never to get back,” and Agnes was overwhelmed by a multiplicity of different feelings.
“Let me see,” said the priest, “I think it would be easier to proceed straight towards it, than to be beating about on these seas.”