It was noon before I awoke; a terrific storm was raging outside, and the sea was white with foam. Dressing rapidly, I made my way to the great dining hall. Often had I eaten there, sometimes alone, and sometimes with DeNortier, for when he was not on the island I ate alone; the men always kept to their barrack, and never came to the house save on some errand. They were uniformly respectful to me; they had evidently had orders from the captain to be so, and they knew him too well to dare to disobey his commands. I, of course, had naught to do with them, save occasionally to ask them some question.
DeNortier supplied me with all that I needed. One evening when I returned from a stroll, I had found a new doublet and hose in my room; at another time a new feather for my hat. I had several times found small sums of money upon my table, and appreciated that delicate sense of honor which realized how I must feel, and did not roughly force what I needed upon me.
DeNortier was seated at the table alone, eating a slice of venison.
"Welcome!" he said in a cordial tone. "This venison is excellent," and he took a great bite as he glanced up at me.
There was no trace of the pallor and wildness of the night before in his manner; now self-composed, alert, calm, he was himself again.
Seating myself opposite him, I helped myself to the meat.
"Count, I have a grievance to lay before thee," I said.
"What is it?" he inquired. "Have any of the men failed to show thee the proper respect? If so, thou hast but to speak, and I will know how to punish them."
"No, it is not that," I answered. "I find this morning the body of one of the natives swinging in front of my window. Who has done this deed?" and I looked intently at him.
His voice was cold as he replied: "He was a mutinous rogue, and even dared to disobey my orders. The safety of my plans—the safety of us all—depends upon the rigidity of the discipline which I maintain. Did I but loose the reins, even for a moment, the men would break out of all bounds, and our heads would pay the penalty; so I punished him as he deserved."