Again on board, Van Horn stated his reasoning to the mate.
"The pup didn't just calmly walk overboard. Nor was he washed overboard. I had him fast and triced in the blanket with a rope yarn."
He walked over, the centre of the boat's crew and of the three-score return boys who were all on deck, and flashed his torch on the blanket still lying on the yams.
"That proves it. The rope-yarn's cut. The knot's still in it. Now what n****r is responsible?"
He looked about at the circle of dark faces, flashing the light on them, and such was the accusation and anger in his eyes, that all eyes fell before his or looked away.
"If only the pup could speak," he complained. "He'd tell who it was."
He bent suddenly down to Jerry, who was standing as close against his legs as he could, so close that
