"You know how we were cast upon this island, and how I behaved at first.
When I afterwards took my place with the others, my evil thoughts
gradually quitted me, and I gave, up all idea of any injury to your
father. But this did not last long. The deaths of so many, and at last
the captain, your father, and your mother being the only ones left on
the island besides myself, once more excited my cupidity. I thought
again of the belt of diamonds, and by what means I should gain
possession of it; and the devil suggested to me the murders of the
captain and of your father. I had ascertained that your father no
longer carried the belt on his person when we all used to bathe at the
bathing-pool; it was, therefore, as your father had proposed, in your
mother's keeping. Having once made up my mind, I watched every
opportunity to put my intentions into execution. It was the custom for
one of us to fish every morning, as your mother would not eat the dried
birds, if fish could be procured, and I considered that the only chance
I had of executing my horrible wish was when your father went to fish
off the rocks. We usually did so off the ledge of rocks which divide
the bathing-pool from the sea, but I found out another place, where more
fish, and of a better quality, were to be taken, which is off the high
wall of rocks just below. You know where I mean, I have often sent you
to fish there, but I never could go myself since your father's death.
Your father took his lines there, and was hauling in a large fish, when
I, who had concealed myself close to where he stood, watched the
opportunity as he looked over the rock to see if the fish was clear of
the water, to come behind him and throw him off into the sea. He could
not swim, I knew, and after waiting a minute or two, I looked over and
saw his body, just as it sank, after his last struggles. I then
hastened away, and my guilty conscience induced me to ascend the ravine,
and collect a faggot of firewood to bring home, that no suspicions might
be entertained; but my so doing was the very cause of suspicion, as you
will afterwards perceive. I returned with the wood, and the captain
observed, when I came up to the cabin:--
"`Why, it's something new for you to collect wood out of your turn,
Jackson. Wonders will never cease.'
"`The fact is, that I am becoming very amiable,' replied I, hardly
knowing what to say, and afraid to look either of them in the face, for
your mother, with you on her lap, was standing close by.
"`Has my husband caught any fish, do you know, Jackson?' said your
mother, `for it is high time that he came home.'
"`How can I tell?' replied I. `I have been up the ravine for wood.'
"`But you were down on the rock two hours ago,' replied your mother,
`for Captain James saw you coming away.'
"`That I certainly did,' replied the captain. `Had he caught any fish
when you were with him?'
"They must have perceived my confusion when I said, `Yes, I was on the
rocks, but I never went near Henniker, that I'll swear.'
"`You must have been near him, even when I saw you,' replied the
captain.
"`I never looked at him, if I was,' replied I.
"`Well then, one of us had better go down and see what he is about,'
said the captain. `Shall I leave Jackson with you?'
"`Yes, yes,' replied your mother, much agitated, `for I have my
forebodings; better leave him here.'
"The captain hastened down to the rocks, and in a quarter of an hour
returned very much heated, saying, `He is not there!'
"`Not there?' replied I, getting up, for I had seated myself in silence
on the rock during the captain's absence: `that's very odd.'
"`It is,' replied the captain. `Jackson, go and try if you see anything
of him, while I attend to Mrs Henniker.'
"Your mother, on the captain's return, had bowed her head down to her
knees, and covered her face with her hands. I was glad of an excuse to
be away, for my heart smote me as I witnessed her condition.
"I remained away half an hour, and then returned, saying, that I could
see nothing of your father.
"Your mother was in the cabin, and the captain went in to her, while I
remained outside with all the feelings of Cain upon my brow.
"That was a dreadful day for all parties--no food was taken. Your
mother and the captain remained in the cabin, and I dared not, as usual,
go into my own bed-place. I lay all night upon the rocks--sleep I could
not; every moment I saw your father's body sinking, as I had seen it in
the morning. The next morning, the captain came out to me. He was very
grave and stern, but he could not accuse me, whatever his suspicions
might have been. It was a week before I saw your mother again, for I
dared not intrude into her presence; but, finding there was no
accusation against me, I recovered my spirits, and returned to the
cabin, and things went on as before."