Part 80 (2/2)
The soft creaking and grinding sounds went on, but were attributed to the lugger being close up to some pier or wharf, and the boys stood with their ears close to the bulkhead, trying to pick up a word now and then, as thetogether
But it eary work, and led to nothing definite They knew that the loading was going on--nothing more
”Well, we are clever ones,” said Vince at last; and he laid hold of the wooden shutter which let in light and air to the narrow place, but only let his arain, for it was firmly secured
”Never ht yet”
Hours had gone by, and froht which stole in beneath and over the door they knew that it was a fine ; and, as the dread had all passed away, they finished dressing, and sat in an aard position against the edge of the botto to the bustle on deck, till all at once it ceased and the ain
Then, as they listened, there carinding ceased, the captain shouted soreater distance, just as the lugger heeled over a little, and there ca of the capstan, with the heave-ho singing of the ain, Mike,” said Vince; ”and there's no chance of a run for the shore this time”
He had hardly spoken when the heavy tread of the captain was heard once more, and he stopped at the door to shoot a couple of bolts
”_Bon jour, mes amis_ You feel youselfs ready for ze brearkfas?”
Vince did not reply, and the captain did not seem to expect it, for he walked into the cabin, while the boys went on deck, to find that the er, of about the same build as the one they were on, was a short distance off,for the mouth of the muddy river astern They were about in the saht, and it beca they had heardbeen o took place
”Where next?” thought Vince, as their sails filled in the light, pleasant breeze of the sunnyround by the steersman the compass answered the question--their course was due south
”Aha! you take a lesson in box ze compais,” said a voice behind them
”Good: now come and take one, and eat and drink It is brearkfas time”
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
”TO VISTLE FOR ZE VIND”
Four days passed in the quiet, uneventful way fa into that state of apathy known as accepting the inevitable They eary of condoling with one another, and telling themselves that sooner or later their chance for escape would coh, chatted with the sailors, took a turn or two at steering under the guidance of the man at the helm, and received a nod of approbation fro
”Aha, yais,” he said, showing his teeth ”You vill be , and zen ve sall all be ze grand contrabandiste”
”Oh, shall we?” said Vince, as soon as they were alone ”We shall see about that”
The captain had been ah to them, and had the boys only felt that those they loved ell and possessing the knowledge that they were safe, the life would have been pleasant enough; but the trouble at ho like a black cloud over them, and whenever they met each other's eyes they could read the care they expressed, and the feeling of misery deepened for awhile
They went to bed as usual that fourth night, but towardstroubled by thirst, he deteret a pannikin of water from the cask lashed by the mainmast
He half expected to find the door fastened, but it yielded to a touch; and, after listening at the cabin for a few moments to try and find whether the captain was asleep, he crept up on deck in the cool grey of the co back, saw the man at the helm, and forward two o, and there was the pannikin standing ready, and the cover of the cask had only to be moved for him to dip out a tinful of the cool, fresh water, which tasted delicious; and, being refreshed by the draught, he was about to descend, when the beauty of the sea took his attention Thein the east, so that the waves were lit up in a peculiar way On the side of the h for the east they were of a lovely, pearly, silvery, ever-changing grey So beautiful were the tints and lights and shades that Vince re the surface of the sea for soo dohen,a sweep round, he felt as if his breath had been taken away, for there, away to the south, and loo , and they were once more close to home
Here, then, was the answer to the question they had asked one another-- Where are we sailing to now?