rmation you may obtain from a Krouman must be very
important."

Francisco made no reply, but appeared to be reading his book. Cain's
eyes passed from one to the other, as if to read their thoughts.

"Pray what were you saying, Mr Pompey?"

"Me say, Massa Captain? me only tell young Massa dis very fine ting; ask
where you get him--Massa Francisco no tell."

"And what might it be to you, you black scoundrel?" cried the captain,
seizing the goblet, and striking the man with it a blow on the head
which flattened the vessel, and at the same time felled the Krouman,
powerful as he was, to the deck. The blood streamed, as the man slowly
rose, stupefied and trembling from the violent concussion. Without
saying a word, he staggered out of the cabin, and Cain threw himself on
one of the lockers in front of the standing bed-place, saying, with a
bitter smile, "So much for your intimates, Francisco!"

"Rather, so much for your cruelty and injustice towards an unoffending
man," replied Francisco, laying his book on the table. "His question
was an innocent one,--for he knew not the particulars connected with the
obtaining of that flagon."

"And you, I presume, do not forget them? Well, be it so, young man; but
I warn you again--as I have warned you often--nothing but the
remembrance of your mother has prevented me, long before this, from
throwing your body to the sharks."

"What influence my mother's memory may have over you, I know not; I only
regret that, in any way, she had the misfortune to be connected with
you."

"She had the influence," replied Cain, "which a woman must have over a
man when they have for years swung in the same cot; but that is wearing
off fast. I tell you so candidly; I will not [even] allow even her
memory to check me, if I find you continue your late course. You have
shown disaffection before the crew--you have disputed my orders--and I
have every reason to believe that you are now plotting against me."

"Can I do otherwise than show my abhorrence," replied Francisco, "when I
witness such acts of horror, of cruelty--cold-blooded cruelty, as lately
have been perpetrated? Why do you bring me here? and why do you now
detain me? All I ask is, that you will allow me to leave the vessel.
You are not my father; you have told me so."

"No, I am not your father; but--you are your mother's son."

"That gives you no right to have power over me, even if you had been
married to my mother; which--"