OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 77

that it was not In my power to resist. the authority you
were so shamefully abusing. I was your victim—I am so
no longer; and,” continued he, advancing up to the
count, “beware of obliging me to take, for all the outrages
and injuries you have done me, such vengeance as will
compel your proud heart to curse the fatal hour which
made Philip Merville the companion of your voyage.”

The expression of Philip’s eyes, as he uttered these
words, exhibited something so terrible, that the count,
brave as he was—and never was there a braver officer,
changed colour; but, instantly resuming his intrepidity, he
put himself in the posture of a man ready to repel an at-
tack on his person.

“That is unnecessary,” said Philip, in a voice of insult-
ing superiority; “I am not going to attack you. You
have already several times felt the weight of this arm: I
need not tell you that you are no match for me. Do not
imagine that your tyranny on board ship has weakened
my strength; but so long as your conduct towards me
shall be inoffensive, and provided you do not molest me
with insulting language, you shall have ‘nothing to fear
from my blows.”

“ To fear!” repeated the count, “ think you that I could
ever fear such a thing as you ?”