"Who can ever prove that they were Henniker's diamonds?"
I started up at the mention of my father's name; I rested with my hands
on the floor of the cabin, breathless as to what would come next.
"No, no," continued Jackson, "he's dead, and food for fishes--dead men
tell no tales--and she's dead, and the captain's dead, all dead--yes,
all;" and he gave a bitter groan and was silent.
The day was breaking, and I could just see him as he lay; but he said no
more, and appeared to breathe heavily. As the sun rose, I got out of my
bed-place; and, now that it was broad day light, I looked at Jackson.
He was lying on his back; his brow was covered with large drops of
perspiration, and his hands were clenched together. Although asleep, he
appeared, by the convulsive twitching of the muscles of his face, to be
suffering and in great agony. Occasionally he groaned deeply, and his
lips appeared to move, but no sound proceeded from them. I perceived
that the pannikin of liquor was not finished, one third at least having
been left.