“ ‘What do you want of me?’ cried the captain.
“ ‘Where are you bound? and for what are you bound?’ demanded Steelkilt; ‘no lies.’
“ ‘I am bound to Tahiti for more men.’
“ ‘Very good. Let me board you a moment—I come in peace.’ With that he leaped from the canoe, swam to the boat; and climbing the gunwale, stood face to face with the captain.
“ ‘Cross your arms, sir; throw back your head. Now, repeat after me. As soon as Steelkilt leaves me, I swear to beach this boat on yonder island, and remain there six days. If I do not, may lightnings strike me!’
“ ‘A pretty scholar,’ laughed the Lakeman. ‘ Adios, Señor !’ and leaping into the sea, he swam back to his comrades.
“Watching the boat till it was fairly beached, and drawn up to the roots of the coconut trees, Steelkilt made sail again, and in due time arrived at Tahiti, his own place of destination.
There, luck befriended him; two ships were about to sail for France, and were providentially in want of precisely that number of men which the sailor headed. They embarked; and so forever got the start of their former captain, had he been at all minded to work them legal retribution.
“Some ten days after the French ships sailed, the whaleboat arrived, and the captain was forced to enlist some of the more civilized Tahitians, who had been somewhat used to the sea.
Chartering a small native schooner, he returned with them to his vessel; and finding all right there, again resumed his cruisings.