he and the other two talked.

"'Let us finish these Pelew men, ere mischief come of it,' said
Riedermann, the captain.

"But the others dissuaded him. There was time enough, they said, to
kill them. And if they killed them now, there would be but three
sailors to work the ship. And Motley looked at me and laughed, and said
he, for one, would do no sailor's work yet awhile.

"Then they all trooped below, and took me with them--me, with my
husband's blood not yet dried on my hands and bosom. They made me get
liquor for them to drink, and they drank and laughed, and Motley put
his bloodied hand around my waist and kissed me, and the others laughed
still more.

"In a little while Riedermann and the mate were so drunken that no
words came from them, and they fell on the cabin floor. Then Motley,
who could stand, but staggered as he walked, came and sat beside me and
kissed me again, and said he had always loved me; but I pointed to the
blood of my husband that stained my skin and clotted my hair together,
and besought him to first let me wash it away.

"'Wash it there,' he said, and pointed to his cabin.

"'Nay,' said I, 'see my hair. Let me then go on deck, and I can pour
water over my head.'

"But he held my hand tightly as we came up, and my heart died within
me; for it was in my mind to spring overboard and follow my husband.