The Equinox (Volume I, Number I)

THE EQUINOX The circumference of the island is somewhat over fifteen miles, and the first discoveryI made was that of a broken- down sailing-boat, which the niggers had never dared approach since the wreck that brought it there. In the cabins I found gunpowder in large quantities, rum, matches, and tobacco; Thad all this carried to my oasis, together with a cannon ; and when the negroes had heard the voice of this powerful engine my authority was established on the most solid basis. This event helped me to recover the coffin, and I am glad to say that nothing had been done to it to spoil it. I had two hundred natives hanged, and as many burned alive, for form’s sake, and in order to show their fellow black men that my justice was impartial; but apart from this unim- portant little fact nothing followed the recovery of the mighty box. I had undertaken the difficult task of civilising the negroes ; and as it would be quite impossible for me to lose for an instant the sight and thought of my personal mission, I was not a little perplexed at the duality it presented at first. But I soon found out the truth. Cut in the most precious wood of the island, a cover was made of my shape, and prepared to take my place every time my various duties should call me away. Acting upon the advice of my wives, I had the coffin hidden from sight; and only once a month, when the moon breaks up with her thinnest crescent, are the natives admitted to the contemplation of its contents. Before I take again to the main road of my history, which I shall neither leave again or follow further than necessary, I must give a word of praise to my wives. Of course the poor creatures think I am a mere man, but apart from this 382