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
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