But he was snug and warm, and bethought himself of what he must undertake on the morrow.  If he continued inland long enough he would surely come to somebody, and at dawn, taking an ample supply of provisions, he would start.  That purpose settled, he let his mind rest, and remained in a luxurious position on the deck.  The rebound from the hopeless case in which he had seemed to be was so great that he was not lonely.  He had instead a wholly pervading sense of ease and security.  His imagination was able to find beauty in the sand and the bushes and the salt marshes, and he did not need imagination at all to discover it in the great, mysterious ocean, which the moon was now tinting with silver.  It was a fine full moon, shedding its largest supply of beams, and swarms of bright stars sparkled in the cold, blue skies.  A fine night, thought Robert, suited to his fine future.

It was very late, when he went down to the captain’s cabin, ate a little more food and turned in.  He soon slept, but not needing sleep much now, he awoke at dawn.  His awakening may have been hastened by the footsteps and voices he heard, but in any event he rose softly and buckled on his sword and pistols.  One of the voices, high and sharp, he recognized, and he believed that once more he was the child of good fortune, because he had been awakened in time.

He sat on the couch, facing the door, put the sword by his side and held one of the pistols, cocked and resting on his knee.  The footsteps and voices came nearer, and then the keen, cruel face appeared at the door.

“Good morning, captain,” said Robert, equably.  “You left me in command of the ship and I did my best with her.  I couldn’t keep her afloat, and so I ran her up here on the beach, where, as you see, she is still habitable.”

“You’re a good seaman, Peter,” said the captain, hiding any surprise that he may have felt, “but you haven’t obeyed my orders in full.  I expected you to keep the ship afloat, and you haven’t done so.”

“That was too much to expect.  I see that you have two men with you.  Tell them to step forward where I can cover them as well as you with the muzzle of this pistol.  That’s right.  Now, I’m going to confide in you.”

“Go ahead, Peter.”

“I haven’t liked your manner for a long time, captain.  I’m only Peter Smith, a humble seaman, but since you left me in command of the ship last night I mean to keep the place, with all the responsibilities, duties and honors appertaining to it.  Take your hands away from your belt.  This is a lone coast, and I’m the law, the judge and the executioner.  Now, you and the two men back away from the door, and as sure as there’s a God in Heaven, if any one of you tries to draw a weapon I’ll shoot him.  You’ll observe that I’ve two pistols and also a sword.  A sailor engaged in a hazardous trade like ours, catching and selling slaves, usually learns how to use firearms, but I’m pretty good with the sword, too, captain,