His eyes had given me the first warning, when
I returned that morning and found myself tricked. They were
half-timorous but also half-defiant, and wholly sly. It disconcerted
him that I made no comment on his silence and asked no questions.
"On the fifth morning--by which time we had picked up enough strength
to attempt a day's exploration of the west side of the island, and
within an hour of the time fixed for our start, he found me fitting
and nailing a short cross-plank to the boat's mast.
"'Hallo!' said he. 'What job are you spoiling there? I'm the
carpenter of this party, or believed I was.'
"'And I'm the captain,' said I; 'and duly appointed--though I have no
witness but you to the fact--if you choose to lie about it. . . .
I'm doing a job which you have neglected: fixing a Cross for Santa.
It will be a comfort, as we fare inland, to know she has a Christian
mark over her grave. . . . You have the bearings accurate no doubt,'
said I, lifting the heavy cross and, as I stooped to shoulder it,
picking up the ship's mallet, which lay at my feet.
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