With lips distended, and teeth displayed, they waited like a herd
of carnivora until they could attack their prey with brutal
voracity; it seemed almost doubtful whether they would not fall
upon him while he was still alive. It seemed impossible that any
appeal to their humanity could, at such a moment, have any
weight; nevertheless, the appeal was made, and, incredible as it
may seem, prevailed.
Just as the boatswain was about to act the part of butcher, and
Dowlas stood, hatchet in hand, ready to complete the barbarous
work, Miss Herbey advanced, or rather crawled, towards them.
"My friends," she pleaded, "will you not wait just one more day?
If no land or ship is in sight to-morrow, then I suppose our poor
companion must become your victim. But allow him one more day;
in the name of mercy I entreat, I implore you."
My heart bounded as she made her pitiful appeal. It seemed to me
as though the noble girl had spoken with an inspiration on her
lips, and I fancied that, perhaps, in super-natural vision she
had viewed the coast or the ship of which she spoke; and one more
day was not much to us who had already suffered so long, and
endured so much.
Curtis and Falsten agreed with me, and we all united to support
Miss Herbey's merciful petition. The sailors did not utter a
murmur, and the boatswain in a smothered voice said,--
"Very well, we will wait till daybreak tomorrow," and threw down
his hatchet.
To-morrow, then, unless land or a sail appear, the horrible
sacrifice will be accomplished.
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