favours the missionaries because they are useful to him and can
tame the savages better than any one else can do it!" Then I
wondered in my mind whether it were possible for any missionary to
tame HIM!



CHAPTER XXIV.



Bloody Bill is communicative and sagacious - Unpleasant prospects -
Retrospective meditations interrupted by volcanic agency - The
pirates negotiate with a Feejee chief - Various etceteras that are
calculated to surprise and horrify.


IT was many days after the events just narrated ere I recovered a
little of my wonted spirits. I could not shake off the feeling for
a long time that I was in a frightful dream, and the sight of our
captain filled me with so much horror that I kept out of his way as
much as my duties about the cabin would permit. Fortunately he
took so little notice of me that he did not observe my changed
feelings towards him, otherwise it might have been worse for me.

But I was now resolved that I would run away the very first island
we should land at, and commit myself to the hospitality of the
natives rather than remain an hour longer than I could help in the
pirate schooner. I pondered this subject a good deal, and at last
made up my mind to communicate my intention to Bloody Bill; for,