CHAPTER XXX.
DOCTOR FERNANDEZ PAYS ONE DEBT.
The body of the baroness lasted these two wretched cannibals for six days, and then, desperate as they were, they were forced to cast the putrid remnants out to that patient hanger-on, the shark.
After this, it became a game of wild beast watchfulness. They had tasted human flesh and grown to like the flavour, therefore they were no longer human, they were crafty beasts of prey, looking out for their chance.
They knew each other's ghoulish intentions, for they read from their own feelings, to watch as long as possible and keep awake, for the one who fell first asleep was now the doomed man.
They could not risk a struggle for the mastery now in that leaky boat, in case it capsized or went down and left them both to the tender mercies of that vicious enemy so close and motionless, as he too waited and watched; the deed must be done by treachery, and as suddenly and quietly as possible.
So they sat opposite to each other and stared at the glittering ocean or glaring skies for two more days and
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