“It was the monster who proclaimed himself a rebel and a pirate, boasted himself a throat-cutter and a shipsinker, that I took care of in that way. Such a monster was not to be let loose upon two helpless women, who had not even the means of securely barricading their doors against him,” calmly replied Justin. “Ha! ha! ha! Ho! ho! ho! Yes, when I’m in liquor I’m always a monster by my own account. I have then a mad delight in inspiring fear, horror and detestation.” “Then you must expect unpleasant consequences from indulging in such a mad delight. But how could I know then, how can I know now, whether you spoke the truth of yourself or not?” “By my word of honor to the contrary, given in my sober senses, if you choose to take it. If you do not, I have no other way at hand to convince you. Did even my mutinous crew accuse me of anything worse than taking a little too much?” “No!” “And then again, the lady saw through me better; but it is true that women are keener sighted than we are.” “Why did you not say all these things to me long ago? If you had, your captivity would have been very much ameliorated,” said Justin, regretfully. “Why? Can a brave man ask? Do you suppose that I was going to explain and apologize and supplicate my captor? I’ll tell you what, so far from that, if I could have got loose I should have killed you!” “Or tried to do it, you mean. You used some bad language on waking up and finding yourself fettered.” “Yes, I ‘cussed sum,’ as the darkies say; that’s a fact.” “Why do you make now the explanations you have withheld to your hurt for six months?” “Why again? Can a good man ask? It is because you brought me in from the storm, struck the fetters from my wrists, gave me your own clothes, laid me upon your own bed, and nursed me like a brother. That’s the reason why I have explained to you first. In any case, I should have to give a true account of myself to the captain of the _Xyphias_, to whom I intend to surrender.” “Then you are not really what you reported yourself to be?” “What exactly did I report myself to be—Captain Kidd?” laughed the man. “A pirate! throat-cutter! ship-burner!” “Ha, ha, ha! Rebel I am, since you dub as such the commanders of all Confederate privateers. But I never cut a throat or burned a ship in my life! I never harmed a woman or child in my life, or man either, for that matter, except in fair fight!” “I am glad to hear you say so. I hope you will be able to convince Captain Yetsom of the truth of your statement. You had better surrender to him as soon as he arrives. I will give you an opportunity of doing so in the parlor! After you have made your case clear to the captain, I shall be glad to have you join us at dinner. There is my wardrobe—a limited one, indeed—at your disposal. All that can be expected of us Crusoes is cleanliness. We have none of us swallow-tailed coats or kid gloves to go to dinner in,” laughed Justin.