I left him, and commenced a careful descent of the precipices by which
we were surrounded, but, before I had gone fifty paces, another flash of
lightning was followed up by a loud shriek, which arrested my steps.
Where the noise came from I could not tell, but I heard my companion
calling to me to come back. I obeyed him, and found him standing where
I had left him.
"You called me, master?"
"Yes, I did; take my hand and lead me to the cabin."
I obeyed him, wondering why he asked me so to do. He gained his
bed-place, and threw himself down on it.
"Bring the kid full of water," said he--"quick!"
I brought it, and he bathed his head and face. After a time, he threw
himself back upon the bed-place, and groaned heavily.
"O God! It's all over with me," said he at last. "I shall live and die
in this cursed hole."
"What's the matter, master?" said I.
He gave me no answer, but lay groaning and occasionally cursing. After
a time, he was still, and then I went out again. The tornado was now
over, and the stars were to be seen here and there, but still the wind
was strong and the wild clouds flew fast. The shores of the island were
one mass of foam, which was dashed high in the air and fell upon the
black rocks. I looked for the vessel, and could see nothing--the day
was evidently dawning, and I sat down and waited its coming. My
companion was apparently asleep, for he lay without motion or noise.
That some misfortune had happened, I was convinced, but what I knew not,
and I passed a long time in conjecture, dividing my thoughts between him
and the vessel. At last the daylight appeared--the weather was
moderating fast, although the waves still beat furiously against the
rocky shore. I could see nothing of the vessel, and I descended the
path, now slippery and insecure from the heavy fall of rain, and went as
near to the edge of the rocks as the breaking billows would permit. I
walked along, occasionally drenched by the spray, until I arrived where
I had last seen the vessel. The waves were dashing and tossing about,
as if in sport, fragments of timber, casks, and spars; but that was all
I could see, except a mast and rigging, which lay alongside of the
rocks, sometimes appearing above them on the summit of the waves, then
descending far out of my sight, for I dared not venture near enough to
the edge to look over. "Then the vessel is dashed to pieces, as my
companion said," thought I. "I wonder how she was made." I remained
about an hour on the rocks, and then turned back to the cabin. I found
my companion awake, and groaning heavily.
"There is no ship," said I, "nothing but pieces of wood floating about."
"I know that," replied he; "but what do I care now?"
"I thought by your making a smoke, that you did care."
"Yes, I did then, but now I am blind, I shall never see a ship or
anything else again. God help me! I shall die and rot on this cursed
island."
"Blind, what is blind?" inquired I.
"The lightning has burned out my eyes, and I can see nothing--I cannot
help myself--I cannot walk about--cannot do anything, and I suppose you
will leave me here to die like a dog."
"Can't you see me?"
"No, all is dark, dark as night, and will be as long as I live." And he
turned on his bed-place and groaned. "I had hope, I lived in hope--it
has kept me alive for many weary years, but now hope is gone, and I care
not if I die to-morrow." And then he started up and turned his face
towards me, and I saw that there was no light in his eyes.
"Bring me some more water, do you hear?" said he angrily. "Be quick, or
I'll make you."
But I now fully comprehended his condition and how powerless he was. My
feelings, as I have before said, were anything but cordial towards him,
and this renewed violence and threatening manner had its effect. I was
now, I suppose, about twelve or thirteen years old--strong and active.
I had more than once felt inclined to rebel, and measure my strength
against his. Irritated, therefore, at his angry language, I replied--
"Go for the water yourself."
"Ah!" sighed he, after a pause of some seconds, "that I might have
expected. But let me once get you into my hands, I'll make you remember
it."
"I care not if I were in your hands," replied I; "I am as strong as
you." For I had thought so many a day, and meant to prove it.
"Indeed! Well, come here, and let us try."
"No, no," replied I, "I'm not such a fool as you say I am--not that I'm
afraid of you; for I shall have an axe in my hand always ready, and you
will not find another."
"I wish that I had tossed you over the cliffs when you were a child,"
said he, bitterly, "instead of nursing you and bringing you up."
"Then why have you not been kind to me? As far back as I can remember
you have always treated me ill; you have made me work for you; and yet
never even spoken kindly to me. I have wanted to know things, and you
have never answered my questions, but called me a fool, and told me to
hold my tongue. You have made me hate you; and you have often told me
how you hated me--you know you have."
"It's true, quite true," replied he, as if talking to himself. "I have
done all that he says, and I have hated him. But I have had cause.
Come here, boy."
"No;" replied I, "do you come here. You have been master, and I have
been boy, long enough. Now I am master and you are boy, and you shall
find it so."
Having said this, I walked out of the cabin and left him. He cried out,
"Don't leave me;" but I heeded him not, and sat down at the edge of the
flat ledge of the rock before the cabin. Looking at the white dancing
waves, and deep in my own thoughts, I considered a long while how I
should behave towards him. I did not wish him to die, as I knew he must
if I left him. He could not obtain water from the rill without a great
chance of falling over the cliff. In fact, I was now fully aware of his
helpless state; to prove it to myself, I rose and shut my own eyes;
tried if I could venture to move on such dangerous ground, and I felt
sure that I could not. He was then in my power; he could do nothing; he
must trust to me for almost everything. I had said, let what would
follow, I would be master and he boy; but that could not be, as I must
still attend upon him, or he would die. At last the thought came
suddenly upon me--I will be master, nevertheless, for now he shall
answer me all my questions, tell me all he knows, or he shall starve.
He is in my power. He shall now do what I have ever tried to make him
do, and he has ever refused. Having thus arranged my plans, I returned
to the cabin, and said to him:
"Hear what I say--I will be kind to you, and not leave you to starve, if
you will do what I ask."
"And what is that?" replied he.
"For a long while I have asked you many questions, and you have refused
to answer them. Instead of telling me what I would know, you have
beaten me or thrown stones at me, called me names, and threatened me. I
now give you your choice--either you shall promise to answer every
question that I put to you, or you may live how you can, for I shall
leave you to help yourself. If you do as I wish, I will do all I can to
help you, but if you will not, thank yourself for what may happen.
Recollect, I am master now; so take your choice."
"Well," replied he, slowly, "it's a judgment upon me, and I must agree
to it. I will do what you wish."
"Well, then, to begin," said I, "I have often asked you what your name
was, and what was mine. I must call you something, and Master I will
not, for I am master now. What is your name?"