Part 20 (1/2)
After that an all-around discussion ensued, lasting quarter of an hour. Led by the boys the pa.s.sengers were very outspoken, and as a consequence the next meal was fairly good, although not exactly first-cla.s.s.
”We tuned him up, that's certain,” said Sam.
”I am glad you did,” said a pa.s.senger sitting opposite. ”I was afraid I should be starved to death before we reached land.”
”He'll have it in for us,” said Fred. ”Every time he looks at me he glares like a wild beast.”
”We'll keep our eyes open,” said d.i.c.k. ”But I don't think he'll do anything. He knows we were in the right. I reckon he's more of a talker than anything else,” and in this surmise the eldest Rover was correct.
During the afternoon a heavy mist swept over the gulf and the speed of the _Mascotte_ had to be slackened. Two men were placed on watch besides the pilot, but they could see little.
”This is going to delay us still more,” said Tom, and he was right.
About six o'clock they came near cras.h.i.+ng into another steamboat, and after that the forward movement was almost checked entirely.
All on board felt it would be a night of more or less peril, and consequently the trouble over the meals was forgotten. The captain paced the deck nervously, and the pilot and other watchers strained their eyes to pierce the gloom.
”I must say, I don't feel much like turning in,” remarked Sam. ”I can't tell why it is, either.”
”I feel myself as if something unusual was in the air,” answered Tom.
”Boys,” said d.i.c.k to his brothers, ”if anything should happen, stick together.”
”To be sure,” came from Sam and Tom.
”But do you think something will really happen?” added the youngest Rover.
”I don't know what to think. I know this steamer is worse than an old tub, and I know that the mist is getting so thick you can cut it with a knife.”
”I wish we were on sh.o.r.e again, d.i.c.k.”
”So do I.”
”Py chiminatics!” came from Hans. ”Owit on der deck you can't see your face before your nose alretty!”
”Of course you know what this means, Hans,” answered Tom, who was bound to have a little fun in spite of the seriousness of the situation.
”Vot does dot mean?”
”You know they have great earthquakes down here, and great volcanoes.”
”Vell, vot of dot?”
”When it gets so misty as this then look out for a fearful earthquake and a great volcanic eruption.”
”You ton't tole me!” gasped the German youth. ”Say, I ton't vont no earthkvakes, not much I ton't!”
”Maybe it won't do much harm--only sink the s.h.i.+p,” put in Sam, taking his cue from Tom.
”Sink der s.h.i.+p? Den ve peen all drowned, ain't it? Say, Sam, how kvick you d.i.n.k dem earthkvakes come, hey?”