In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide
being on the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck
fully attired in an oilskin coat and sou'-wester to resume the command.
The rain fell steadily as they ploughed along their way, guided by the
bright eye of the "Mouse" as it shone across the darkening waters. The
mate, soaked to the skin, was at the wheel.
"Why don't you go below and put your oilskins on?" inquired the girl,
when this fact dawned upon her.
"Don't want 'em," said the mate.
"I suppose you know best," said the girl, and said no more until nine
o'clock, when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for
the night.
"I'm going to turn in," said she; "call me at two o'clock. Good-night."
"Good-night," said the other, and the girl vanished.
Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his pockets
for a pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when he heard
a thin, almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw the face
of the girl at the companion.
"I say, are these your oilskins I've been wearing?" she demanded
awkwardly.
"You're quite welcome," said the mate.
"Why didn't you tell me?" said the girl indignantly. "I wouldn't have
worn them for anything if I had known it.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94