he would have bread; and
fetched him a large piece, unbinding his hands for a little, that he
might eat. Then he offered him some of the spirit; but David asked for
water, which the old man gave him, binding his hands after he had drunk,
with a certain gentleness.

Presently the old man, after he too had eaten, came and sate down beside
David; and in his broken talk seemed to wish to win him, if he could, to
join them more willingly. He spoke of the pleasant life they lived, and
of the wealth that they made, though he said not how they came by it. He
told him that he had seen some of it hidden that day, which they had
done for greater security, so that, if the ship should be cast away, the
men might have some of their spoil waiting for them; and David
understood from him, though he had but few words to explain it, that it
had been that which had caused a strife among them. For they had come by
the treasure very hardly, and they had lost some of the crew in so doing
it--and some of the men had desired to share it, and have done with the
sea for ever; but that it had been decided to make another voyage first.

Then David said very gently that he did not desire to join them, for he
was a man of peace; and he told him of his lonely life, and how he made
a light to keep ships off the dangerous coast; and at that the old man
looked at him with a fixed air, and nodded his head as though he had
himself heard of the matter, or at least seen the light--all this David
told him, speaking slowly as to a child; but it seemed as though every
minute the remembrance of the language came more and more back to the
old man.

But at last the man shook his head, and said that he was sorry so
peaceful a life must come to an end. But, indeed, David must go with
them whether he would or no; and that they would be good comrades yet;
and he should have his share of whatever they got. And then he left
David and went on to the deck.

Then there fell a great despair upon David; and at the same time the
crew, excited by the drink they had taken, for they drained the jar,
began to dispute among themselves, and to struggle and fight; and one of
them espied David, and they gathered round and mocked him. They mocked
at his dress, his face, his hair, which had grown somewhat long. And one
of them in particular seemed most urgent, speaking long to the others,
and pointing at David from time to time, while the others fell into a
great laughter. Then th