Suddenly the Kohen fell prostrate on his knees before me, and bowing his head handed me his bloody knife.
"Atam-or," said he, "give me also the blessing of darkness and death!" At these strange words, following such actions, I could say nothing.
I was more bewildered than ever, and horror and bewilderment made me dumb.

I turned away and went aft to Almah, who had seen it all.

She looked at me with an anxious gaze, as if to learn what the effect of all this had been on me.

I could not speak a word, but with a vague sense of the necessity of self-preservation, I loaded my rifle, and tried in vain to make out what might be the meaning of this union of gentleness and kindness with atrocious cruelty.

Meanwhile, the men all went to work upon various tasks.