(Continuing from Part 50)
The sailors who had followed Friday into the woods were now far from the shore.
They had entered the forest expecting to find their missing companions. Instead, they had been led from one place to another by voices they could never reach.
Friday and the captain’s loyal sailor continued calling from a distance.
Each time the rebels approached, the two men moved farther away.
I had chosen this plan because I knew the island better than any stranger could.
The sailors did not understand its paths, thick woods, or difficult ground.
They were becoming tired and confused.
As evening approached, I heard their voices growing angry.
Some wanted to return to the beach.
Others insisted that they must continue searching.
At last, they stopped following the calls.
They had begun to suspect that something was wrong.
Friday and his companion quietly made their way back toward us.
They had performed their task well.
I thanked them and explained what we would do next.
We now controlled the boats on the shore.
The rebels in the woods had no easy way to return to the ship.
But they were still armed, and I did not wish to fight them in darkness unless it became necessary.
I decided that we should wait until they returned.
The captain agreed.
He knew that some of the sailors were dangerous, but he also believed that others might surrender if they saw that resistance was hopeless.
We prepared our positions among the trees.
I placed our men where they could watch the paths leading back toward the beach.
We kept our guns ready.
Then we waited.
The sun disappeared, and the woods became dark.
For some time, we heard nothing.
At last, voices approached.
The sailors were returning.
They moved slowly, calling to one another.
They seemed exhausted by their long search.
When they reached the shore, they discovered that the boat they had left behind was gone.
Their surprise was great.
They shouted angrily and looked around in confusion.
One man called toward the ship.
Another fired his gun into the air.
But the vessel was too far away for anyone aboard to understand what had happened.
The rebels began arguing.
Some believed their companions had betrayed them.
Others feared that enemies were hiding on the island.
I remained silent and watched.
Then I heard one man call out to the others.
His name was Will Atkins.
The captain had already warned me about him.
He had been one of the chief leaders of the rebellion.
He was bold, violent, and unwilling to obey lawful authority.
I knew that he might persuade the others to fight.
I therefore decided that we must act before he regained control of them.
I whispered to the captain.
He understood.
We moved closer.
Then the captain called out from behind the trees.
“Will Atkins!”
The sailor stopped.
He looked around in alarm.
“Who calls?” he shouted.
The captain answered.
“It is your captain. You are surrounded. Throw down your weapons, and you may receive mercy.”
The rebels were astonished.
They had believed their captain was helpless or dead.
Now they heard his voice coming from the darkness.
Atkins tried to discover where he was standing.
He shouted that he would not surrender without knowing who opposed him.
The captain answered firmly.
He told Atkins that the island was under the control of a powerful English governor.
This was the title we had agreed to use for me.
The captain explained that the governor had armed men hidden throughout the woods.
If the rebels resisted, they would be attacked.
I knew that this was partly a deception.
We did not possess a large army.
But the darkness and unfamiliar surroundings made the threat convincing.
The sailors had already seen enough to believe that the island was dangerous.
They did not know how many people were watching them.
Atkins continued arguing.
But the other men were losing courage.
They had spent hours wandering through the forest.
Their boats were gone.
They had no food or safe shelter.
Now they believed that armed enemies surrounded them.
One of the sailors called out that he wished to surrender.
Others agreed.
The captain ordered them to place their weapons on the ground.
They obeyed.
I told our men to remain hidden until the prisoners were safely disarmed.
Then we approached.
The rebels looked frightened when they saw the captain standing before them.
They understood that their rebellion had failed.
I ordered them to stand together.
We collected their guns and swords.
Then we tied up the men whom the captain considered most dangerous.
Atkins was among them.
He protested loudly.
But the captain reminded him that he had led a rebellion and threatened the lives of innocent men.
Atkins became quiet.
The other sailors begged for mercy.
They promised that they would return to their duty if given another chance.
The captain listened carefully.
He believed that some were sincere.
I agreed that we should not punish every man in the same way.
The leaders had encouraged the rebellion.
Others had followed them through fear or foolishness.
I wanted to recover the ship, not destroy its crew.
We therefore separated the prisoners.
The most dangerous men were kept under close guard.
Those who appeared trustworthy were allowed to assist us after giving their word that they would obey the captain.
I reminded them that their lives depended upon keeping that promise.
They agreed.
By now, it was late at night.
The shore had become quiet.
The captain and I sat together to discuss our next move.
We had captured the men who had landed on the island.
We also controlled their boats.
But the ship still lay offshore.
The remaining sailors aboard might soon become suspicious.
We needed to act before they decided to sail away.
The captain explained that he knew the vessel well.
He understood its layout and knew where the men were likely to be stationed.
He believed that a small group could board it if they approached without raising suspicion.
I listened carefully.
The idea was dangerous, but it offered our best chance.
I asked which of the captured sailors could be trusted to help.
The captain named several.
He believed they would fight for him if he promised to consider their surrender when the rebellion was over.
I agreed.
We began preparing a boat for the attempt.
We checked the weapons and divided the ammunition.
The captain selected the men who would accompany him.
I decided to remain on the island with Friday and the prisoners.
Someone had to guard them and prevent another escape.
Before the captain departed, I reminded him of his promise.
If he recovered the ship, he must return for us.
He took my hand and assured me that he would.
I believed him.
Then I watched as he and his chosen men prepared to cross the dark water.
For many years, I had dreamed of leaving the island.
Now that dream depended upon the success of a small boat approaching a ship in the night.