Part 18 (2/2)
Archie and Josiah laughed, too: a hearty explosion
”We can never beat out in this wind,” said Bill; ”an' we couldn't handle her if we did--not in a gale o' wind like this All along,” he chuckled, ”I been 'lowin' for a fair wind an' good weather”
They heard the rattle and creak of oars approaching; to which, in a few nant interest The rowers rested on their oars, as though looking about; then the oars splashed the water again, and the dory shot towards the _Heavenly Home_ Bill o' Burnt Bay and his fellow pirates lay flat on the deck
The boat hung off the stern of the schooner
”Jean!”
The hail was in French It was not answered, you may be sure, from the _Heavenly Home_
”Jean!”
”He's not aboard,” spoke up the other man
”He must be aboard His dory's tied to the rail Jean! Jean Morot!”
”Coeur_ He's asleep” A pair of oars fell in the water
”Coh to lie here And it's late enough”
”But----”
”Take your oars!” with an oath
The Newfoundlanders breathed easier when they heard the splash and creak and rattle receding; but they did not rise until the sounds were out of hearing, presueur_
Bill o' Burnt Bay began to laugh again Archie joined hi so it quickly It was all very well to laugh, said he; and although iton the deck of a captured schooner, the coht in the act But Archie still chuckled away; the situation was quite too ridiculous to be taken seriously Archie had never been a pirate before; he didn't feel like one now--but he rather liked the feeling he had
”We can't stay aboard,” said he, presently
”Blest if I want t' go ashore,” said Bill
”We _got_ t' go ashore,” Josiah put in
Before they left the deck of the _Heavenly Ho then been reed that the schooner could not make the open sea in the teeth of the wind That was obvious; and it was just as obvious that the Newfoundlander could not stay aboard The discovery of the watchman in the cabin must be chanced until such a tiht On their way to the obscure wharf at which they landed it was determined that Josiah should board the schooner at nine o'clock, noon, and six o'clock of the next day to feed the captured watch for half an hour to allay suspicion
”An' Skipper Bill,” said Josiah, seriously, ”you lie low If you don't you're liable to be took up”
”Take your advice t' yourself,” the skipper retorted ”Your reputation's none o' the best in this harbour”
”We'll sail to-ht an' a fair wind,” the skipper qualified