"The man is a weak-minded idiot and heard in Samoa that they expected a hurricane." "I think," chimed in Bastin, "that the devil knows how to look after his own at any rate for a little while.

I dare say it would have been much better for him to be drowned." "At least he is a deserter and failed in his duty.

I never wish to hear of him again," I said.
As a matter of fact I never have.

But the incident remains quite unexplained either by Bickley or Bastin..