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Updated: May 31, 2025
"I should think I did indeed, Weatherhelm," he answered, laughing, and shaking my fist warmly; "it is a good many years since we saw each other." I told him that the captain said he would have to take me to a Spanish prison. "Oh, that is all nonsense," he answered; "I'll soon manage that. All you have to do is to join this craft, and we can protect you.
My feelings appear to me to be too sacred to be mentioned except to a friend." "That is very natural and right," he answered. "But, believe me, Weatherhelm, I did what was for the best, and I am certain you will benefit by it." At last I turned in for the night, and, wearied out with anxiety, fell asleep.
"He's one who has been skulking his duty ever since he came on board. I'd rather not speak his name." The captain shook his head, and made a sign to the boatswain to proceed. "Well, if I must tell," cried out the man, Saull Ley by name, "the thief is Will Weatherhelm." I almost fainted when I heard the accusation, and I am sure that I must have looked as guilty as if I had committed the theft.
As he did so he beckoned me out of the room, and I accompanied him to the door. "I'll tell you what it is, Mr Weatherhelm," said he, "you have been bred a seaman, and the pressgangs are very hot at work just now. They take everybody who has been at sea, no matter what his present calling whether he has a wife and family depending on him or not.
I spoke my mind on the subject to John Angus. "Do, Weatherhelm, do," he answered; "we shall be glad to have you among us: but you've heard the old notion we islanders have, that he who is saved from drowning by any one of us is certain to work us ill?" "I've heard of the idea not only as held by the people of Shetland, but by those of many other countries," I answered.
Then we persuaded those two silly lads that it was you, and when they saw me go and put them into your bag, they had no doubt about it, and so Iffley made them believe that they had seen you coming out of the store-room. That's all about it. I've been speaking the truth and nothing but the truth. But you'll forgive me, won't you, Weatherhelm, and let me die easy?"
"I'm afraid that I am in a bad way, Weatherhelm," said he; "but see what you can do for me, and I'll try and get about and help the captain: tell him." Under his directions I bound up his wounds as well as I could, and in a little time he began to crawl about, though it seemed to give him great pain to do so. On looking into the hold we found that several men were there.
"There he is; Charles Iffley is the man, sir, who, besides those two, saw Weatherhelm go to his bag and put the stolen things into it." "How is this, Iffley? If you saw a man committing a robbery, it wag your duty to give notice of it, sir," exclaimed the captain, in an angry voice, turning towards him. "I am very sorry, sir," replied Iffley.
"Now, Weatherhelm, my dear fellow," said he, "go and lie down and wait patiently till I come back; a little sleep will do you good you want it." I thanked him cordially, and wrung his hand as he stepped into the punt, for my heart misgave me that I should never see him again. As to going to sleep, that was, I felt, out of the question; I could scarcely bring myself to lie down.
Was it only fancy? I was certain that it was the countenance of Charley Iffley. I pronounced his name. He had not before recognised me. "Why, Will Weatherhelm, how did you come out here?" he exclaimed, in a tone of surprise. But a gentleman, whom I found to be doctor, told him that he must not now talk to me, and that he would find out all about it by and by.
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