No one seemed to be horror-struck. The free men
stood stolidly looking on, as did the slaves. And this was Africa--
the heart of Africa, where, as Victor Durnovo said, no one knows
what is going on. Oscard knew that he could apply no law to Victor
Durnovo except the great law of humanity. There was nothing to be
done, for one individual may not execute the laws of humanity. All
were assembled before him--the whole of the great Simiacine
Expedition except the leader, whose influence lay over one and all
only second to his presence.
"I leave this place at sunrise to-morrow," said Guy Oscard to them
all. "I never want to see it again. I will not touch one penny of
the money that has been made. I speak for Mr. Meredith and myself--
"
"Likewise me--damn it!" put in Joseph.
"I speak as Mr. Meredith himself would have spoken. There is the
Simiacine--you can have it. I won't touch it. And now who is going
with me--who leaves with me to-morrow morning?"
He moved away from Durnovo.
"And who stays with me?" cried the half-breed, "to share and share
alike in the Simiacine?"
Joseph followed Oscard, and with him a certain number of the blacks,
but some stayed. Some went over to Durnovo and stood beside him.
The slaves spoke among themselves, and then they all went over to
Durnovo.
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