forget the miserable statement you have just heard. Oh, please hear
me to the end. I am not talking for your sole benefit, believe me.
Greatly as I and all on board are beholden to you, I do not propose
giving my life in your stead because of my abounding admiration for
your many virtues. Well, then since you are so impatient as to be
almost rude, I come straight to the point. If you take command of a
boat's crew and endeavor to save the men imprisoned over there, you
will almost certainly throw away your life and the lives of those who
help you. In that event, a lady in whom we are both interested will
suffer grievously. On the other hand, if I were killed, she would weep
a little, because she has a large heart, but you would console her.
And the odd thing is that you and I are fully aware that either you or
I must go off on this fool's errand. There is none other to take the
vacant place. Now, have I made myself clear?"

"You are a good fellow, Christobal. You revive my faith in human
nature, and that is my best apology if I irritated you just now by my
attitude. But don't you see that I can neither accept your generous
offer nor sail away from our harbor of refuge without making an attempt
to save my men?"

"They are not your men. They forfeited your captaincy by their own
action. In the effort to succor them you will lose at least one life
which is precious to all on board this ship. I am twice your age,
Courtenay, and I affirm unhesitatingly that you are wrong."

"Yet you are ready to take my place?"

"I have given you my reasons."

"They do you honor; but you would fail where I might succeed. You are
not a sailor. Brave as I know you to be, you are not physically fitted
for the rough work which may be needed. I think, too, you exaggerate
the risk. The Alaculofs are broken by last night's failure. They will
not dare to face us."

"At least spare me an argument which does not convince yourself;
otherwise you would depute me instantly for the service."

"Well, you force plain speaking. While I command the _Kansas_ I am
responsible for the well-being of the ship, her crew, and her
passengers. I could never forgive myself if I left those men to the
mercy of the Indians. I cannot permit either you or Tollemache to take
a risk which I shirk. Boyle and Walker must remain on board--lest I
fail. Now, Christobal, don't make my duty harder. Shake hands! I am
proud to claim you as a friend."