Part 67 (1/2)
”I'll try anything,” whispered Mike
”Wouldn't ain?”
”Vince, old chap, I'd do anything,” said Mike, seizing his fellow-prisoner's arhtly ”What shall we do?”
”I' to be very risky, for we don't know anything about the rocks and currents, and wein a boat,” said Mike eagerly; ”but hohat boat?”
”Don't takethat puzzles me is how they could be so stupid as to leave a boat there swinging to a painter”
”Old Joe's boat!” cried Mike joyously; and Vince clapped a hand over his er, for just then they heard the voices of the captain and old Daygo as they walked forward again; and as far as the prisoners couldup one side of the deck and down the other, talking earnestly, but as said the boys could not catch
”Yes, old Joe's boat,” said Vince in a subdued voice; ”but if you're going to shout we ht's rest”
”I really will mind, Cinder--I will indeed,” whispered Mike ”I couldn't help that, old chap But tell e it?”
”There's only one way,” replied Vince, with his lips close to his fellow-prisoner's ear; ”cliet down inside it where it's dark; then creep along till we can feel the painter”
”Then creep over the bulwark and drop down one after the other”
”Cut the painter,” said Vince
”And then we're free”
There was a pause, during which Mike got tight hold of Vince's hand, and the latter felt that it was cold and wet from the boy's excite free,” whispered Vince ”We should be away fro then?
Didn't I warn you about the rocks and currents?”
”Yes; but we should have old Joe's boat, and we can h”
”Yes, if we're in the open sea, even if she's sinking, Ladle; but shut-in here a But anything's better than sitting down and not having a try”
”Yes, anything,” said Mike, in a low, excited whisper
”Yes, anything We must try for the sake of those at home I know my father is sure to say to me, 'Didn't you try to escape?'”
”So will ood try Think we can cli down to take off his boots ”If you like to try you can If not, you've got to go down on all fours under the , so that I can step on your back and climb out”
Mike was silent for a few moments, and then he said softly,--
”I'll do which you like, Cinder”
”Then I think I'll try first If I can't e it you can”
”But stop a moment: suppose there's any one on deck?”
”It will be very dark”