After hearing Hartog's decision we both bowed and retired, and, in the
terms of our promise, resumed the ordinary routine of our duties as
though nothing out of the common had occurred. But the news of the
coming fight spread among the crew and became the subject of gossip
throughout the ship.

I was now near twenty-one and Van Luck was three years my senior, we
being all young men on board the "Endraght"; but I had led a hardy
life, and my spell ashore had taken off superfluous flesh, and left me
active and alert, with muscles like steel, an advantage not given to my
older antagonist, who had, perforce, lived a monotonous existence for
months past on shipboard. So I looked forward to the coming trial of
strength and endurance with some degree of confidence, notwithstanding
that Van Luck and his supporters promised me I would lose both my ears
as forfeit, if not my life, in the encounter.

The discussion over the right at length became so keen that Hartog,
fearing it might lead to further disputes, determined to get it over as
soon as possible, and for this purpose he altered the ship's course to
an island he sighted on the horizon which we made during the same
afternoon, when we came to anchor in a natural harbour formed by a
coral reef and opposite to a hard sandy beach well suited to the matter
in hand.

At daybreak the following morning we landed two boats' crews on the
beach, only the watch being left on board, who would nevertheless be
able to see the fight from over the ship's bulwarks. It was a fine
summer's morning, with little wind and no sea. The waves broke in crisp
diamond sparkles upon the sand, and the feathery palms and coconut