"The men were sitting down to a meal when I came away, and I ordered them to make their way back as soon as they had done.

If he refuses, the only other way I can see will be for all the men to cast lots, when, of course, whoever stays would get his three shares as we agreed." Half an hour later the twenty men arrived from the other side of the island.

As soon as they came on board Captain Vipon called Jacques into the cabin and told him that it would be necessary to leave two men behind, explaining the duties they would have to perform.
"Now Jacques," he said when he had finished, "I thought that perhaps you would be more likely than any other man on board the three ships to volunteer for this work." "I volunteer!" Jacques said in astonishment.

"What should make you think of such a thing, captain ?" "For this reason, Jacques: I have settled to leave the English lad here as one of the signallers.

Of course he will gladly undertake the job, as it will enable him to join his friends when they land; and as you like him and he likes you, he might be able to make things easy for you.