He had seen them fall. He remembered the horrid gurgling sound
made by the unhappy wretch who had fallen into the water and sunk to the
mud. The hideous noise had haunted him the night through, so that he
was unmanned and shivering. His fists were clenched, and his teeth held
tight together.

"I killed them," he murmured.

"And they have themselves to thank," said a voice at his elbow. "So
that's how the wind blows! Our gallant young agent would rather fall
himself and see his comrades massacred than fire on rascals who were
ready to murder all. No! No, I did not mean that, my lad. But--look
here!"

It was Mr Pepson, standing there on the deck as erect as ever, as if he
had received no wound, though the bandages about his head and his
shoulder and the blood-stains upon them, showed that he undoubtedly had.
But Dick had begun to discover some unsuspected points about this
employer of his, and had come to the conclusion that he was possessed of
no ordinary pluck and go, though he showed it in his own quiet and
unassuming manner, and, in addition, that thin and cadaverous though he
seemed to be, yet this trader from Sierra Leone was as hard as nails.
He stared at him in amazement, and then flushed at his words.

"Why, you ought to be wrapped in your rug!" he exclaimed sharply. "You
are hurt, and need a little nursing."

"A mere scratch--a flea-bite, I assure you. I have had many worse
before this, as you may learn when I tell you a little of my life's
history. But speaking of rugs. That's what you want, my lad, and a
good talking-to besides. Now, listen to me, Dick. I don't blame you,
nor do I smile at your thoughts and feelings, for every decent fellow
has them. I remember a ruffian who thought to rob me in South America,
many years ago. Yes, I was a youngster little older than you are. I
shot him dead, and lay down beside him through the night, because that
was the safest place. When the sun came up and showed me that I was
alone and that there was no more trouble to fear, I looked at that poor
fellow. He was lying on his back, his legs curled up beneath him, and
his hands stretched out as if he were asleep. But his white face and
the pool beside him told me the awful truth. I bolted. I ran away,
Dick. I felt like a murderer, and for days wondered whether I should be
tracked. Then I saw the other side. A rancher took me in hand, just as
I am doing with you, and he made me see the right sid