Paul lay in the bottom of the boat, fading away, and moaning with the pangs of famine; Jube bent over him, breaking the hot rays of the sun from the white and sunken face with his body, for they had no other shelter. The boy moaned in his sleep, and called for his mother in feeble anguish. Jube was very weak, but he managed to lift that light weight so far as to lay the boy's head on his knee.
Jube's voice was like that of an old man, hollow and broken. The boy looked up, tried to smile, and murmured,
"Would you like something to eat, little master?"
"To eat--to eat," whispered the boy, opening his eyes wildly.
"A piece of nice steak. You wouldn't mind its being cooked, would you?"
"Steak!--something to eat! Oh, Jube, we shall never eat again!"
"Look here, little master, now be still and hear what I say."
The boy made a struggle to collect his faculties.
"Little master, listen: when you find me lying here in the boat, and you can't feel my heart beat when you lay your hand here, just cut a slice out of my shoulder with the jackknife."
The slave was feeling for the knife as he tempted the famished child, who lay moaning across his knee. He found it at last; but his gaunt hands opened it with difficulty, for their strength was all gone.
The poor fellow felt for the spot where his heart beat strongest. Then he spoke to the child again.
"The knife will be open, little master, don't forget what I tell you."
He lifted the knife feebly, a flash of sunshine on the blade gleamed across the half shut eyes of the boy. He comprehended the meaning of Jube's words. He sprang up, snatched the knife, flung it into the ocean, and fell senseless on the bottom of the boat.
Jube burst into childish tears, and with his head bent down to his breast, fell into a state of apathy.
When he looked up again a ship was in sight, coming gallantly toward them. He gave a feeble shout, and strove to arouse the child, but could not. Then he took the cotton bag that had held their bread, and fastening it to an oar, swung it wearily to and fro, crying out with all his strength, which left nothing but moans on his parched lips.
The ship bore down upon them, she came so near that Jube could see her crew on the deck, then veered slowly and faded away.