drinking and openly cursed me and called me a sneaking cheat. So
I am going to run away, of which I am very much ashamed. But I do
not wish to be drowned yet as there is a girl whom I want to
marry, and my mother I support. You will be safe and I hope you
will not think too badly of me.--JACOB JACOBSEN.

"P.S.--It is an awful thing to know the future. Never try to
learn that."


I gave this letter to Bastin and Bickley to read and asked them
what they thought of it.

"Coincidence," said Bickley. "The man is a weak-minded idiot
and heard in Samoa that they expected a hurricane."

"I think," chimed in Bastin, "that the devil knows how to look
after his own at any rate for a little while. I dare say it would
have been much better for him to be drowned."

"At least he is a deserter and failed in his duty. I never wish
to hear of him again," I said.

As a matter of fact I never have. But the incident remains
quite unexplained either by Bickley or Bastin.



Chapter VII