Later on that day Mr. Dykes urged the request again at Miss Fletcher's desire.
"I can't make distinctions," replied the Captain. "The man's got to take his chance of paradise with the rest. I'm not going to give him an unfair advantage over the others. Besides, this is a cheerful ship, and I don't intend to depress the living by reading burial services over the dead. They'll get their proper ratings without my assistance."
So that evening the corpse, sewed up in canvas and weighted with a piece of pig-iron, was cast over the side without ceremony.
Early on the following morning the look-out upon the foc'sle head reported land on the starboard bow.
The news brought the men rushing on deck at once, for the sight of land to sailors at sea is always an interesting event, savouring of adventure, women, and wine. The news was immediately reported to the Captain, who hurried on to the bridge and scrutinised the seeming cloud for some time through the glasses which Smith, who was on watch, handed to him.
"H'm," grunted Calamity, "an island."
"One of the Palau Group I should say, sir."
"Which means that it's German—eh?"
"Was German, sir," corrected the second-mate.
"There's no knowing; among so many scattered islands it's quite possible that one or two may have been overlooked by our cruisers."