At these consultations held by the officers in the cabin, I noticed Van
Luck was never present. He made an excuse for his absence that, as
first officer, his place was on deck when the captain was below.
Although this could not be disputed, yet I bethought me he might have
found an opportunity to add his voice to our councils had he the
inclination to do it. But as yet I had no proof of treachery against
Van Luck, and although I suspected him, I was loath to voice my
suspicions lest my action might be attributed to malice for his scurvy
treatment of me.
As luck would have it, an incident now occurred which, for the time,
diverted the men's minds from the dangerous brooding in which they had
indulged. A dark line appeared on the horizon, which at first we took
for a breeze, but which, as it swept down upon us, proved to be a
prodigious number of flying fish. These delicate creatures rose out of
the water like silver clouds, and as they passed over our Vessel
numbers fell upon our decks. These fish are excellent eating, and of
those that fell aboard of us we soon had an ample supply. Hartog, as
much to give the crew some novel occupation as from any other motive,
set the men to work salting and drying the fish, so that we secured
three barrels full, as an addition to our ordinary fare, which was very
acceptable.
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