"If you must know, then," I answered, "it is Hoft Hugens to whom the
men look as leader."
The next minute Hartog was striding through the town, a native club in
his hand, which he had taken from the Queen's house. Although past
noon, there were none to be seen outside the huts. All were asleep
after their mid-day meal, upon which they had gorged themselves to
repletion. At the sight of this defiance of discipline a deep flush
overspread Hartog's face, as though he felt shame for having allowed
his authority to pass from him. Then he began to beat with his club
upon the doors of the houses until the men came out, some in sleepy
remonstrance, and others with curses in their mouths at having been
disturbed from their siesta.
"Well, what have you to say?" demanded Hartog. "Is it not enough that
our condition is such that if only fifty determined savages came
against us they could kill us and destroy the settlement, but you must
waste your time in gluttony and sleep? Where is the watch, whose duty
it is to keep a look-out as though I stood upon my quarterdeck?"
"Nay, Hartog," answered Hugens, whom the others now pushed forward to
be their spokesman, "there must be an end to such talk.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192