I've got the conch. I'm not talking about the fear, I'm talking about the beast. Be frightened if you like. But as for the beast.
Jack paused, cradling the conch and turned to his hunters with their dirty black caps.
"Am I a hunter or am I not?
They nooded simply. He was a hunter all right. No one doubted that.
"Well then I've been all over this island. By myself. If there were a beast I'd have seen it. Be frightened because you're like that-but there is no beast in the forest."
Jack handed back the conch and sat dowm. The whole assemy applauded him with relief.
