"Come on, come and fight for it," said he; "hit me if you like, I don't
mind; your little fist won't hurt."
No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his
only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in
silence.
"Better get the sidelights out," said she at length.
"Plenty o' time," said Lee.
"Take the helm, then, while I do it," said the girl, biting her lips.
The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him,
threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating
quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the
drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo'c'sle for the lamps.
The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as
the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her.
"Don't be frightened," it said quietly.
"Jack?" said the girl.
"That's me," said the figure. "You didn't expect to see me, did you? I
thought perhaps you didn't know what was good for you, so I stowed
myself away last night, and here I am."
"Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?" demanded Miss
Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more.
"Every word," said the mate cheerfully.
Pages:
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100