'John! John!' I wrestled free from Pratt's grip and held him secure. 'It's all right!' I waited until some of the madness cleared from his eyes before I continued. 'Now listen. We've changed the name, Mr Pratt, and got rid of the figurehead. The Friday thing is gone! And there are no longer thirteen on board. That's why young Rab left; he was trying to help us, John.' I guessed that logic would not work against Pratt's superstition, so I had to ease his fears by other methods. 'We only have to catch a few score more seals and we'll be heading back home. Think of that, Mr Pratt. Dundee is waiting for us.'
'Aye, sir,' Pratt sounded doubtful. 'And so are these cannibals.' His eyes looked directly into mine, wild as any devil-worshipping heathen. 'We'll never see Dundee, Dr Cosgrove, not with
