“But Jack Tier run, like that rascal Mulford—­ay, I remember now; you were in the boat when I overhauled you all on the reef.”

“Very true; I was in the boat.  But I never run, Stephen Spike.  It was you who abandoned me, on the islet in the Gulf, and that makes the second time in your life that you left me ashore, when it was your duty to carry me to sea.”

“The first time I was in a hurry, and could not wait for you; this last time you took sides with the women.  But for your interference, I should have got Rose, and married her, and all would now have been well with me.”

This was an awkward announcement for a man to make to his legal wife.  But after all Jack had endured, and all Jack had seen during the late voyage, she was not to be overcome by this avowal.  Her self-command extended so far as to prevent any open manifestation of emotion, however much her feelings were excited.

“I took sides with the women, because I am a woman myself,” she answered, speaking at length with decision, as if determined to bring matters to a head at once.  “It is natural for us all to take sides with our kind.”

“You a woman, Jack!  That is very remarkable.  Since when have you hailed for a woman?  You have shipped with me twice, and each time as a man—­though I’ve never thought you able to do seaman’s duty.”

“Nevertheless, I am what you see; a woman born and edicated; one that never had on man’s dress until I knew you. You supposed me to be a man, when I came off to you in the skiff to the eastward of Riker’s Island, but I was then what you now see.”

“I begin to understand matters,” rejoined the invalid, musingly.  “Ay, ay, it opens on me; and I now see how it was you made such fair weather with Madam Budd and pretty, pretty Rose.  Rose is pretty, Jack; you must admit that, though you be a woman.”

“Rose is pretty—­I do admit it; and what is better, Rose is good." It required a heavy draft on Jack’s justice and magnanimity, however, to make this concession.

“And you told Rose and Madam Budd about your sex; and that was the reason they took to you so on the v’y’ge?”

“I told them who I was, and why I went abroad as a man.  They know my whole story.”

“Did Rose approve of your sailing under false colours, Jack?”

“You must ask that of Rose herself.  My story made her my friend; but she never said anything for or against my disguise.”

“It was no great disguise a’ter all, Jack.  Now you’re fitted out in your own clothes, you’ve a sort of half-rigged look; one would be as likely to set you down for a man under jury-canvas, as for a woman.”

Jack made no answer to this, but she sighed very heavily.  As for Spike himself, he was silent for some little time, not only from exhaustion, but because he suffered pain from his wound.  The needle was diligently but awkwardly plied in this pause.