And he read the sentence to the offender.

From this day, the rebel saw himself compelled to serve in the Swordfish as a simple sailor, and his subordinates of yesterday, to-day his equals, indemnified themselves for the authority he had exercised over them, which did not cure him of that native contempt he had always felt for mankind.

A month passed away thus, during which the Swordfish several times touched the shores of Peru, now to renew her supplies of provisions and water, now to exchange with the Indians, nails, hatchets, knives, and necklaces of beads, for gold dust, furs, and garments trimmed with colored feathers.

During one of these pauses, Selkirk, left on the ship, accosted the captain once more.  He knew that the remains of some bands of freebooters were colonized there, leading a peaceful and agricultural life; this fact was known to all.  At Coquimbo in Chili, some English and Dutch pirates had formed a settlement of this kind, now in the full tide of prosperity.  Selkirk, who, during an entire month, had not spoken to the captain, now demanded, in a voice which he attempted to render calm and almost supplicating, to be landed at Coquimbo, from which they were only a few days sail.

’You will not this time accuse me of wishing to desert to the enemy; they are the English, Scotch, Dutch, our countrymen and allies whom I wish to join!  Do you still suspect me?  Well, do not content yourself with setting me on shore; place me in the hands of the chief men of the settlement.  Will that suit you?’

Stradling winked significantly; but this was all.

‘Ah!’ resumed the young man with increasing emotion, ’do not think to detain me longer on board, to crush me beneath this humiliation!  I consented to serve under your orders as mate, and you have made me the lowest of your sailors; this you had no right to do.’

Stradling took his glass and directed it towards the shore, where his people were engaged in trafficking their beads and hardware.

Raising his head and folding his arms: 

‘Captain,’ pursued Selkirk with vehemence, ’some day or other we shall return to England, where the laws protect all; there, I shall have the right of complaint, and Queen Anne loves to render justice; beware!’

Stradling, still spying, began to whistle God save the Queen; then he called his monkey and made it gambol before him.

’I will depart, I will free myself from your presence, and that of your worthy companions; I will do so at all events, do you understand!’ exclaimed Selkirk exasperated, ’I will not endure your infamous treatment another week!  If you refuse to consent to my demand, I will leave without your permission; were the vessel twenty miles from the land, and were I to perish twenty times on the way, I will attempt to swim ashore.  Will you land me at Coquimbo, yes or no?  Reply!’

By way of reply, Stradling ordered him to be confined in the hold.