"Blamed if they haven't all took a fancy to you," said the puzzled
skipper; "the old man's got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he say?"
"Something about life, I think," said the mate.
"They're more like jumping-jacks than anything else," said the skipper.
"Just look at 'em."
The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side,
and, his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had not
been for the presence of the skipper--a tremendous stickler for decorum--
he would have kissed his hand.
It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the
shipping were trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from
his tender apathy. It is probable that it would have lasted longer than
that but for a sudden wail of anguish and terror which proceeded from
the cabin and rang out on the still warm air.
"Sakes alive!" said the skipper, starting; "what's that?"
Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a
middle-aged woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck.
"You villain!" she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. "Take me
back; take me back!"
"What's all this, Harry?" demanded the skipper sternly.
"He--he--he--asked me to go into the cab--cabin," sobbed Mrs.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184