Digital heart book

Even had all been
plain sailing, I do not hint that I should have drawn
back. Smuggling is one of the meanest of crimes, for
by that we rob a whole country PRO RATA, and are
therefore certain to impoverish the poor: to smuggle
opium is an offence particularly dark, since it stands
related--not so much to murder, as to massacre. Upon
all these points I was quite clear; my sympathy was all
in arms against my interest; and had not Jim been
involved, I could have dwelt almost with satisfaction
on the idea of my failure. But Jim, his whole fortune,
and his marriage depended upon my success; and I
preferred the interests of my friend before those of
all the islanders in the South Seas. This is a poor,
private morality, if you like; but it is mine, and the
best I have; and I am not half so much ashamed of
having embarked at all on this adventure, as I am proud
that (while I was in it, and for the sake of my friend)
I was up early and down late, set my own hand to
everything, took dangers as they came, and for once in
my life played the man throughout.


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