“John Richmond!” repeated Guy. “It is very strange. But read on. I think I can guess how he acted.”
Luke Clark proceeded with the manuscript.
“After the mate became captain, things changed for the sailors. Before, we had a strict disciplinarian, but a kindly2 one. No sailor who did his duty had anything to complain of. After that we were in charge of a tyrant3. Captain Richmond, for this was his title now, did not forget his experiences or animosities as mate. There were several whom he disliked, but I think he hated me the most. He would have abused me, but I knew his feelings, and did not give him a chance.
“I think he disliked me all the more on that account. I could see, by the way he looked at me at times, what hatred4 for me there was in his heart.{260} I think he disliked me the more because, though only a common seaman5, I had had a fine education, and he knew it. In that respect I was his superior.
“Well, about this time there came a storm. It was a very violent storm, unusual in that latitude6, and it drove us out of our course very considerably7. Instead of trying to get into the regular route for vessels9 bound to Bombay, Captain Richmond kept the ship in a northeasterly course till we struck the Agalegas Islands.
“What could be his reason I did not comprehend, but I soon understood only too well. He went on shore, taking myself and another of the crew with him. We kept on till we reached the woods. Then the captain took my companion with him, and bade me remain where I was on some pretext10. He was to come for me later on.
“I waited unsuspectingly till I got tired. Then I ascended11 the hill, and to my dismay saw the Miranda—that was the name of our vessel8—under full sail, bearing out to sea. In an instant the terrible truth flashed upon me. I had been left, helpless and alone, on this unknown island, with very little chance of ever leaving it, for it was not in the path of trading vessels.
“I was almost frantic12 when I realized what a{261} fearful fate was reserved for me. I shrieked13, I shook my fist at the receding14 vessel. I called down curses on the head of the fiend who had taken upon me this terrible revenge, or rather had inflicted15 upon me this unprovoked punishment, for I had done nothing to incur16 his hostility17.
“But do what I would I could not recall the Miranda. What excuse the captain made for my absence I do not know; but though I had friends on board, there was no one who would dare take my part, or call him to account for his action.
“Four years have passed since then. They have been like forty. I have not starved, for the berries and fruits which the island affords, together with the fish I have been able to catch, have sustained me. But there was no one with whom I could hold converse—no one to whom I could speak, so it is a wonder I have not forgotten my native tongue.
“For a time I bore up, sustained by the hope that some vessel would touch at the island and carry me back to England. In the four years I have seen two ships, but I was unable to attract the attention of anyone on board.
“So hope died at last, and I have come to the conclusion that for me there is no release, no way of escape. I am forty-two years of age. Under{262} ordinary circumstances I might hope to live thirty years longer. But what would life be on this island, cut off from human companionship? I would rather end it all, and have decided18 to do so. When I have completed this record I shall go to a cliff on the northern shore of the island, and fling myself into the sea. Whether any eye will read these lines, I cannot tell. I hope so. I hope that someone will learn the perfidious19 and cruel conduct of John Richmond, and pity his poor victim.
John Wolf.”
When the story had been read the three looked at one another in stupefaction.
“It is terrible,” said Guy. “Why is it that such things are permitted?”
“Don’t you think, Guy, that this partly explains Captain Richmond’s reluctance20 to stay here?” asked Abner Titcomb.
“Yes,” answered Guy, quickly. “I had not thought of that, but it is probably the case.”
“A man who would be capable of wronging a poor sailor like John Wolf, and dooming21 him to a hopeless captivity22, is quite capable of repeating the atrocious act,” observed Luke Clark, significantly.
“Yes,” said Titcomb, gravely. “I agree with{263} you. It will be well for us to find that treasure as soon as possible. We run a risk every time we come here.”
Luke Clark had been turning over the leaves of the memorandum23 book from which he had read the sailor’s story.
“There is something more,” he said; “a post-script. It may be important. I will read it.”
This was what he read:
“I may as well record here an important discovery I chanced to make one day. It is of no use to me, but it may benefit the persons into whose hands this book may fall. At the north end of the island, about two hundred feet from the edge of the bluff24, there is a group of trees arranged singularly in the shape of a cross. Between the second and third trees, at about eighteen inches from the surface, is a sailor’s chest, full of gold, silver, and jewels. I cannot estimate the value, but it must be large. I fancy it was hidden here by pirates. It must have been forgotten, however, for no one has visited it since I have been on this island.
If I could only get away, this treasure would make me rich. It is a tantalizing25 thought. As I am situated26 it is of no earthly use to me. Some time—it may be years hence—it will be found by{264} some lucky person, perhaps by the one who reads this account, and it will make him rich. Such good fortune is not for me. If I could only escape from this island, which, charming as it is, I have learned to detest27, I would be willing to live in abject28 poverty for the rest of my life. Wealth is far from my thoughts——”
“Is that all?” asked Guy, when Luke Clark stopped reading.
“Yes.”
“It is indeed strange. I thought the group of trees must be in the wood somewhere. We have been on the wrong scent29.”
“But we have succeeded at last. Let us be thankful for that. We can probably finish up our work in a day or two, and then—we can go home.”
“We must go to Bombay first.”
“Yes. We can stand that, since the delay will be brief.”
“Shall we tell Captain Richmond that we have succeeded?” asked Luke.
“Perhaps it will be well to drop a hint that we are on the point of making a discovery. That will encourage him, and insure his waiting. It is not well to tell him too much.”{265}
“It is time to go down to the beach. Only one day more!”
They were seen from the ship, and the boat was sent for them.
“Well,” said the captain, with his usual sneer31, as they climbed on deck, “have you discovered the mare’s nest?”
The remark was addressed to Guy.
“I have reason to think we shall locate the treasure to-morrow, Captain Richmond.”
“What ground have you for that assertion?” asked the captain, quickly.
“Excuse my explaining now, but I have good reasons for my belief.”
Captain Richmond scanned Guy closely, being surprised by his confident tone.
Guy’s face was bright and cheerful, and confirmed his words. He thought that the captain would question him further, but the commander only looked thoughtful, and turning on his heel without a word went down to his cabin.
“I wish I could read his thoughts,” Guy said to himself. “He doesn’t seem glad that I am likely to succeed. He even looks as if he were disappointed.”{266}
“Very likely. He’s a strange man, and a disagreeable one.”
Later in the evening, say about nine o’clock, Abner Titcomb and Luke Clark were leaning over the side, talking, as was natural, of the stirring events of the day, when the captain passed, neither of them being aware of his nearness.
There was one word which caught his attention. It was the name Miranda.
He stopped short, and there was a startled look on his face.
“Did I hear the name Miranda?” he asked, quickly.
“Yes,” answered Titcomb, conscious of his imprudence.
The captain turned away, but he looked suspicious and agitated32, and began to mutter to himself, looking darkly from time to time at the two men.
“Does he suspect anything, do you think?” asked Titcomb.
“No; I don’t think so.”
“All the same, I wish that I had kept my tongue between my teeth.”
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1
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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perfidious
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| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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dooming
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| v.注定( doom的现在分词 )；判定；使…的失败（或灭亡、毁灭、坏结局）成为必然；宣判 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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detest
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| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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31
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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