murder been already avenged? It was not possible to retain
animosity against one so stricken, so broken to pieces, and my heart
smote me when I looked at his disabled hand, and felt that I, boy as I
was, had had a share in his marring. At last, he spoke.

"Are you there, Frank?"

"Yes," replied I.

"I have had a little sleep," said he.

"Do you feel easier?" inquired I, kindly.

"Yes, I feel my side more numbed, and so it will remain, till
mortification takes place. But let me finish my confession, I wish to
relieve my mind; not that I shall die to-night, or perhaps to-morrow,
but still, I wish it over. Come nearer to me, that I may speak in a
lower voice, and then I shall be able to speak longer."

I did so, and he proceeded.

"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 h