In
that awful moment I heard a light laugh from one of the men in
response to a wanton yarn from his comrade,--James, bring the vichy
to Mr. Lightbody! You'll find that a dash of cognac will improve
it wonderfully.
"Well--to go on--a few bubbles arose to the surface. Fernandez
seemed unreasonably passive, until I saw that when the mate had
gripped his elbows with his hands he had also firmly locked the
traitor's knees within his own. In a few moments--it seemed to me,
then, a century--the mate's grasp relaxed; the body of Fernandez, a
mere limp, leaden mass, slipped noiselessly and heavily into the
sea. There was no splash. The ocean took it calmly and quietly to
its depths. The mate turned to the men, without deigning to cast a
glance on me.
"'Oars!' The men raised their oars apeak.
"'Let fall!' There was a splash in the water, encircling the boat
in concentric lines of molten silver.
"'Give way!'
"Well, of course, that's all. WE got away in time. I knew I bored
you awfully! Eh? Oh, you want to know what became of the woman--
really, I don't know! And myself--oh, I got away at Havana! Eh?
Certainly; James, you'll find some smelling salts in my bureau.
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