ad, and, in its showy colors, served to enhance the
stern expression of his harsh features.

As my senses became clearer, I began to imagine how it happened that
he came to the hut, since in all the narratives I had heard of him, the
greatest doubt existed that he was still living, so effectually did he
manage his concealment. At last, and by dint of much thought, I hit upon
what I suspected to be the real solution of the difficulty, which was,
that he was accustomed to venture hither whenever the signal-flag was
not hoisted; and as I had not done so, that he was under the belief that
he was the only living man on the island.

That he must have contrived his hiding-place with great success was
clear enough; for whether the allegations against him were true or
false, they were so universally believed by sailors that if he had been
discovered they would unquestionably have carried him off to Quebec.
It was now in _my_ power "to do the state this service;" and I began to
canvass with myself all the reasons for and against it. If, on the one
hand, it reminded me of the old legends I used to read about striplings
that led captive huge giants or fierce dragons, on the other, I felt
it would be a species of treachery to one who had eaten bread from my
hands. Besides, to what end--even supposing him guilty to any extent--to
what end bring him now to justice, when a few days, or hours, perhaps,
would close a life whose suffering was manifest enough? And, lastly,
was I so certain of escape myself that I already plotted carrying away
a prisoner with me? The last reflection saved me the trouble of thinking
much more on the others; and so I fell a pondering over myself and my
destitution.

Not long was I permitted to indulge in such reveries; for the negro
now began to dream, and talk aloud with a rapidity of utterance and
vehemence very different from the monosyllabic efforts he had favored me
with. As the language was Spanish, I could catch nothing of his meaning;
but I could see that some fearful reminiscence was agitating his mind,
by the working of his fingers and the violent contortions of his face.

In the struggle of his paroxysm--for it was really little less--he
tore open the coarse rag of canvas that he wore, and I could perceive
something fastened round his neck by a piece of spun-yarn. At first I
thought it one of those charms that seamen are so fond of carrying
about them,--amulets against Heaven knows what# kind of