Knowing sailors as I do,
I cannot understand, in present circumstances, what it is that fosters
rebellion, unless some influence is at work that we wot not of."
It was then that I thought it my duty to tell the captain of my
suspicions regarding Van Luck, and of how I had seen him looking down
upon us through the skylight at the counting of the pearls.
Hartog was amazed at such treachery on the part of his first officer.
His own nature was so open that he found it hard to credit deception in
others. My disclosures, however, enlightened him on much that was
taking place, and he bade me keep him advised of anything further I
might see or hear. To this end, I made frequent excuses for spending my
time in the forecastle among the men, pretending I found the
companionship in the cabin irksome. I had not been long among them
before I discovered a plot that was hatching to take the ship. Hartog
and I, together with those who would not join in the mutiny, were to be
set adrift with three days' provisions in one of the boats, when Van
Luck would navigate the "Endraght" to the nearest port, promising to
divide the pearls, the value of which he had greatly exaggerated,
equally among all hands, share and share alike.
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