Talbot had known full well that he was dying. The book of Job had been meant to prepare Day for the burden of command. “Some men are too stupid,” the captain had said. “Or too cowardly. Incapable of making decisions. Some are too greedy, too ambitious, too cruel. It’s no accident you’ll be taking charge, William. You’re a good man.” This good man had killed sixteen men. And Talbot had given Day another instruction: “That man, though—don’t give him a command.”
