He sprang to his feet, knocking his head against the deck above him with a force which brought him down again, but fortunately the crown of an Irishman’s head is thicker than that of most people, and he quickly recovered himself.
Telling him to sit quiet till I got leave for him to appear, I went on deck to report the death of Nash.
“Ah, they told me the man was badly hurt,” said La Touche. “He was a brave fellow, for he fought desperately. We will bury him forthwith.”
“And my follower, may he return on deck?” I asked. “Both of us will be glad to assist in navigating the ship, if our services are required.”
“Yes, you can do so; but I do not think that you will return the compliment we paid you, by attempting to retake the brig from us,” he answered, laughing.
“You are right, monsieur,” I answered. “I have given you my word to that effect, and the word of an English officer is never broken.”
La Touche winced. “I took no part,” he observed, “in capturing the brig; you’ll understand that.”
I made no reply, though I was convinced that all along he was cognisant of the plot and plans of his lieutenant. The treachery of Hoolan and his companions enabled him to succeed with greater ease than he could otherwise have expected.
With the assistance of the black armourer, Larry and I sewed Ben up in a piece of canvas which he obtained for us, with a shot at the feet. We then together carried the body to a port, and launched it overboard, no one offering to render assistance, but at the same time not interfering with our proceedings. When Lieutenant Dubois came on deck, he bowed politely to me, and we exchanged a few words, but he didn’t appear inclined to enter into conversation. Perhaps he felt conscious that he was guilty of treachery in allowing his men to mutiny, even if he had not instigated them to do so, after the kind way in which he had been treated. Of course Nettleship made a great mistake in allowing him and the midshipman to remain on board; but judging them by his own sense of honour, he could not suppose it possible they would take advantage of his generosity, and even dream of attempting to recapture the brig.
Larry, when I was on deck, always kept close to me, and he asked whether I could obtain permission for him to sleep under the companion ladder, or anywhere aft, so that he might be within call.