Part 19 (1/2)
”He has eaten enough now,” said Tom; ”but, I say, Mark,” he whispered, ”you keep an eye on him whenever you can, so that none of the fellows play him any tricks. They'd do so, though they knew he was dying, out of devilry.”
”Aye, aye,” answered Mark. ”They shan't hurt the poor young chap if I can help it, though I've enough to do to keep clear of them myself.”
”Well, we shall be three now, and shall be better able to stand up against them,” said Tom.
I heard no more; for after taking the food a drowsiness crept over me, and I fell into a sound sleep. When I awoke I was in the dark, and felt very much more comfortable than I had for a long time. At first I fancied that I was down in the hold, but the loud snoring and groaning of the men in the neighbouring bunks made me remember what had happened.
I felt about, and was soon convinced that I was in Tom Trivett's bunk, in a clean s.h.i.+rt and trousers, and a blanket over me. I heard the watch below turn out, the others shortly afterwards came in, but no one took any notice of me.
When the latter were fast asleep I heard some one come into the berth and stop near my bunk.
”Who's that?” I asked.
”Glad to see you can speak again, my lad,” said the person whom by his voice I knew to be Tom Trivett. ”Do you feel better?”
”Yes, thank you,” I answered. ”You've saved my life, and I'm very grateful to you.”
”Don't talk o' that, lad,” he said, ”it's not much good I can do in the world, but I couldn't bear to see you allowed to die from neglect, though I'm afraid there are hard times coming for you. You're among as rough a lot as ever sailed on the salt ocean, and that's saying a good deal. I want to give you a piece of advice; I mayn't have another chance of giving it. Don't be in a great hurry to get well, for though the fellows, bad as they are, won't have the cruelty to ill-treat you while you're sick, as soon as you come round they'll be down upon you, and you'll find that they'll give you more kicks than ha'pence.
However, you must not mind them. Don't attempt to retaliate, for they're too many for you. Above all things don't grow sulky as poor Mark did, and has ever since well-nigh had his life knocked out of him.
Now I must go on deck as it's my watch, but remember what I have said.”
I again thanked Tom, and just as he was going I asked him if he could get me any more food.
”I'll try and get you something as soon as the cook turns out; but he's asleep in his bunk, and at this hour it would be a difficult job to find any. I'll tell Mark, however, to ask him when he wakes, though I'd advise you to go off to sleep again.”
Saying this, Tom left the berth, and I once more closed my eyes. I was awakened by the men turning out.
The light streamed in at the door, showing me that it was morning. In consequence of the advice I received from Tom, I kept quiet and pretended to be asleep. Soon afterwards I saw Mark Riddle standing by my side.
”Tom told me you're hungry, boy,” he said; ”so I managed to get something for you from the pantry. I hope it won't be discovered, or the third mate will be giving me a rope's-ending.”
He had brought me a captain's biscuit and a slice of ham, with a tin mug of water.
”I'll bring you a cup of hot coffee,” he said, handing me the food.
Hungry as I was I could not help exclaiming, ”What, don't you know me, Mark?”
He looked at me very hard, still not remembering me.
”No, I don't think I ever saw you before,” he answered; ”but how do you happen to know my name?”
”I didn't think I was so changed,” I said. ”I'm d.i.c.k Cheveley.”
”d.i.c.k Cheveley!” he cried out, looking at me still harder; ”d.i.c.k Cheveley on board this s.h.i.+p! And yet it must be; and are you really d.i.c.k Cheveley?”
”I don't believe I'm anybody else, though I have sometimes fancied I must be.”
”Yes, yes, I see you're Master Cheveley,” cried Mark, ”though I can't say I feel much happier to see you for your own sake, though I'm right glad for mine to have you with me,” taking my hand and grasping it.
”Oh, Master Cheveley, what did bring you aboard?”