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Quite against your principles to be so violent shame on you, man. Yet after all it was very provoking to be made such a fool of before that insolent fellow. Poor Teddy I wish I hadn't hit you such a slap. But, after all, you deserved it, you superstitious blockhead. Well, well, it's of no use regretting. Glad I didn't hit Ladoc, though, it's too soon for that.
There was a slight dash of insolence in the man's reply. "I come up, monsieur," said he, "to tell you if there be two masters at fishery, I not be one of 'em. Rollo tink he do vat him please, mais I say, no; so ve quarrel." "And so, you take upon you to desert your post," thundered Jack. "Vraiment, oui," coolly replied Ladoc.
Each of the three men had been told to go to the burying-ground, and to wait there until Jack himself should arrive. Ladoc was surprised on receiving the order, but, as we have seen, obeyed it. He was more than surprised, however, when he saw Rollo walk into the enclosure, and still more astonished when Francois followed in due course. None of the three spoke.
"Oui, sair; mais, you gits up more earlier." "Yes, I am fond of morning air. The fishery prospers, I see." "It doos, monsieur," said Ladoc, accepting the remark as a compliment to himself; "ve have catch fifteen casks already, and they is in most splendid condition."
Jack smiled, or rather, tried to smile, but owing to conflicting emotions the attempt resulted in a grin. "Let bygones be bygones," he said, "and send Ladoc here." Ladoc entered with a defiant expression, which was evidently somewhat forced. Jack was seated at a table, turning over some papers. Without raising his head, he said
At the same moment Jack leaped forward, struck up the muzzle of the gun just as it exploded, and, seizing Ladoc by the collar, hurled him with extraordinary violence, considering his size, against the wall. "Make yourself a better hunter," said he, sternly, "before you presume to lay hands again on my gun. Look there!"
From what he saw, he was convinced that Ladoc was not the best manager that could be desired, and, remembering that Ladoc was a bully, he was strengthened in an opinion which he had long entertained, namely, that a bully is never a trustworthy man. He was in the act of forming this opinion, when Ladoc approached. "Good morning, Ladoc," said he; "you rise early."
He and Teddy O'Donel rolled to the very feet of the amazed Ladoc, before the force of their fall was expended. They sprang up instantly, and Jack dealt the Irishman an open-handed box on the ear that sent him staggering against one of the pillars of the verandah, and resounded in the still night air like a pistol-shot.
"Be prepared to start for the fishery with me in half-an-hour, Ladoc." "Monsieur?" exclaimed the man, with a look of surprise. Jack raised his head and looked at him. It was one of his peculiar looks. "Did you not understand me?" he said, jumping up suddenly.
The flushed face of Rollo showed what he felt, but, as nothing had been said, he could not with propriety give vent to his passion. At that moment Jack Robinson hailed Ladoc, who rose and went towards him. Jack said a few words to him, which, of course, owing to the distance, could not be heard by the men.
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