To separate thus, after a fraternal life in which the months were like years!...
He advanced timidly in order to take possession of one of Ferragut's soft, inert, inexpressive hands.

Its cold contact made him hesitate.

He felt inclined to yield....

But immediately he blotted out this weakness with a firm, crisp tone: "Good-by, Ulysses!..." The captain did not answer, letting him go away without the slightest word of farewell.

The mate was already near the door when he stopped to say to him with a sad and affectionate expression: "Do not fear that I shall say anything about this to anybody....
Everything remains between us two.