The patron was so strict that this was the first time they had ever seen him give up an enterprise, or even delay in its execution.

Dantes would not allow that any such infraction of regular and proper rules should be made in his favor.

"No, no," he said to the patron, "I was awkward, and it is just that I pay the penalty of my clumsiness.

Leave me a small supply of biscuit, a gun, powder, and balls, to kill the kids or defend myself at need, and a pickaxe, that I may build a shelter if you delay in coming back for me." "But you'll die of hunger," said the patron.
"I would rather do so," was Edmond reply, "than suffer the inexpressible agonies which the slightest movement causes me." The patron turned towards his vessel, which was rolling on the swell in the little harbor, and, with sails partly set, would be ready for sea when her toilet should be completed.
"What are we to do, Maltese ?" asked the captain.

"We cannot leave you here so, and yet we cannot stay." "Go, go!" exclaimed Dantes.
"We shall be absent at least a week," said the patron, "and then we must run out of our course to come here and take you up again." "Why," said Dantes, "if in two or three days you hail any fishing-boat, desire them to come here to me.