Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/131

Rh him; but on many occasions he had showed such ill-will that Briant had found it his duty to remonstrate with him. Since a skating party, when his disobedience had been so flagrant, his insubordination had gone on increasing, and the time had come when Briant would be obliged to punish him.

Gordon was very uneasy at this state of things, and had made Briant promise that he would restrain himself. But the latter felt that his patience was at an end, and that for the common interest in the preservation of order an example had become necessary. In vain Gordon had tried to bring back Donagan to a sense of his position. If he had had any influence over him in the past, he now found it had entirely disappeared. Donagan would not forgive him for having so often sided with his rival, and his efforts for peace being in vain, he saw with regret the troubles that were coming.

From this state of things it resulted that the harmony so necessary to the peace of French Den was destroyed. Life in common became very uncomfortable. Except at meal-times Donagan and his three friends lived apart. When bad weather kept them indoors they would gather together in a corner of the hall, and there hold whispered conversations.

"Most certainly," said Briant to Gordon one day, "those three are plotting something."

"Not against you, Briant," said Gordon. "Donagan dare not try to take your place. We are all on your side, and he knows it."

"Perhaps they are thinking of separating from us?"

"That is more likely, and I do not see that we have the right to prevent them."

"But to go and set up—"

"They may not be going to do so."

"But they are ! I saw Wilcox making a copy of Baudoin's map, and — "

"Did Wilcox do that?"

"Yes; and really I think it would be better for me