There hung under the seat that Greaves used to occupy a tell-tale compass: I looked at it and found the brig’s course east by south. I immediately went on deck and found the yards braced forward and both watches hauling down the larboard studding sail. Bol walked the quarter-deck and Galen was shouting orders from the forecastle.
“Who’s captain here?” said I, stepping up to the great Dutchman.
“You, Mr. Fielding.”
“What are you doing with the brig?”
“Heading her off for Amsterdam Island.”
“So. Then you know your way there?”
“No, sir. Der shart explains dot der island vhas in der east: so east it vhas mit der brig till ve vhas goodt friendts, Mr. Fielding, und shake hands und agree. And maybe he vhas all right mit you now, sir,” he added, looking at me out of the corner of his little eyes.
“I want time to consider,” said I, realizing my extreme helplessness, and by that realization urged more than half-way to the acceptance of my fate, whatever it might prove, without further struggle.
“Mr. Fielding,” cried Bol, throwing out his arms and addressing me in that posture, “vhat vhas it how he vhas mit der brig und mit Mynheer Tulp while she vhas all right mit you? Mindt, I doan say dot if der captain had lif dot dere vhas no trouble. Vhat?” he shouted, in a voice of thunder: “a leedle footy sum of sixty tousand dollar for all us men vhen Tulp vhas to get der half of der half million and you yourself, Mr. Fielding, maybe vhas to take but a leedle less dan Captain Greaves herself. Vhas it right?” He thumped his bosom. “Vhas she a beesiness dot vhas good ash between man and man?” He thumped his bosom again. “Vhas not you a sailor? Vhas not der sailor gruelly used? Vhas she not right to stand up for herself when der shance comes? Mr. Fielding, in der sight of der crew, gif me your hand und shake mit me und ve vhas der happiest of families from dis hour.”
“I’ll not give you my hand. I want time to think.” His face darkened. I continued: “If I refuse to navigate the brig to Amsterdam Island and on to Port Jackson, what then?”