At these words Rotch lifted his eyes and gazed steadily at Tom. Never could I have imagined such an expression of hate in the human face. He gazed, then sank his eyes again, but never spoke.
‘Rotch, you shall have time,’ Tom said. ‘In this brig you remain till the confession you dictate has been signed by you and witnessed by those who are in the vessel. Time you shall have. Its duration Mr. Bates and I will settle. If at the expiration of the time I allow you refuse to prove me the innocent man you know me to be, then, by the Eternal God of heaven and justice, I’ll hang you at the yardarm!’
This said, he strode to the after end of the cabin, and opening the door of the last berth on the port side, he cried out, ‘Walk in here!’
Rotch raised his head and slowly looked around him. A wonderful change had happened in the man’s countenance. He was bloated and swollen. Parts of his face were livid, and parts a ghastly white. His eyes had a strained appearance and seemed to project. I once saw a man tumble down in a fit near my house at Stepney, and Rotch’s face reminded me of that man’s when they turned him over and lifted his head.
‘Walk into this berth!’ cried Tom.
This time the villain obeyed. He moved slowly, supporting himself by the table as he went. He entered the little cabin, and Tom shut the door and locked it.
‘He’s as much astounded as frightened,’ said Bates. ‘Surely he’d have thought to meet any one down here sooner than you. Where would he reckon you are, Butler, if not across the seas? Not afloat and in charge of a smart little brig, anyhow.’
‘Tom,’ said I, ‘he’ll hang rather than confess. He looked at you with a horribly malicious, wicked eye.’
My sweetheart came to the table and leaned upon it to breathe and rally. He was very pale, but his eyes glowed with the light of a savage satisfaction, and his general expression was one of sullen, wrathful exultation. The hour was now about four o’clock. We had made no mid-day meal. I asked Tom if I should get some dinner for the little company of us.
‘Aye,’ said he; ‘but first I want a word with our new hand. Take the wheel from him, Will, and send him in.’