to dry on the rocks, with the rest of the contents
of the chest.

I felt the knives, the blades were sharp; I put the lanyard of the clasp
knife round my neck; the sheath knife, which was a formidable weapon, I
made fast round my waist, with a piece of the fishing-lines, which I cut
off; and I then turned my steps towards the cabin, as night was coming
on, though the moon was high in the heavens, and shining brightly. On
my return, I found Jackson in his bed-place; he heard me come in, and
asked me in a quiet tone, whether I would bring him some water. I
answered--

"No, that I would not, for what he had said about me, and what he would
do if he got me into his power. I'll tame you," cried I. "I'm master
now, as you shall find."

"You may be," replied he, quickly, "but still that is no reason why you
should not let me have some water. Did I ever prevent you from having
water?"

"You never had to fetch it for me," I rejoined, "or you would not have
taken the trouble. What trouble would you take for me, if I were blind
now and not you? I should become of no use to you, and you would leave
me to die. You only let me live that you might make me work for you,
and beat me cruelly. It's my turn now--you're the boy, and I'm the
master."

The reader must remember that I did not know the meaning of the word
"boy;" my idea of it was, that it was in opposition to "master," and
boy, with me, had the same idea as the word "slave."

"Be it so," replied he, calmly. "I shall not want water long."

There was a quietness about Jackson which made me suspect him, and the
consequence was, that, although I turned into my bed-place, which was on
the ground at the side of the cabin opposite to his, I did not feel
inclined to go to sleep, but remained awake, thinking of what had
passed. It was towards morning when I heard him move; my face being
turned that way, I had no occasion to stir to watch his motions. He
crept very softly out of his bed-place towards me, listening, and
advancing on his knees, not more than a foot every ten seconds. "You
want me in your grasp," thought I; "come along," and I drew my American
knife from its sheath, without noise, and awaited his approach, smiling
at the surprise he would meet with. I allowed him to come right up to
me; he felt the side of my bed, and then passed his right hand over to
seize me. I caught his right hand with my left, and passing the knife
across his wrist, more than