Part 35 (1/2)
With that the fisherman turned his punt about and made off for the shore
”Aye, aye, Billy!” he called, good-naturedly ”I'll give you no call to strike me”
”He'll coloomily ”'Tis a bad lookout”
”We'll try to haul her off with the punt,” suggested Archie
”With the punt!” the skipper laughed ”'Twould be as easy to haul Blow-Me-Down out by the roots But if we can keep the wreckers off, by trick or by force, we'll not lose her The _Grand Lake_ passed up the coast on Monday She'll be steaain on Thursday As she doesn't call at Jolly Harbour we'll have t' go fetch her We can run over in the punt an' fetch her 'Tis a ettin' there and back before the schooner's torn t' pieces”
At dawn of the next day Skipper Bill determined to set out for Hook-and-Line to intercept the stean of life ashore Doubtless, the crew of the _Spot Cash_ thought, the news of the wreck was on its way to neighbouring settlements The wind had blown itself out; but the sea was still running high, and five hands (three of theh the lop and distance Muscle was needed for the punt; nothing but wit could save the schooner Who should stay behind?
”Let Archie stay behind,” said Billy Topsail
”No,” Skipper Bill replied; ”he'll be needed t' bargain with the captain o' the _Grand Lake_”
There was a moment of silence
”Billy,” said the skipper, ”you'll stay”
Billy nodded shortly
”Now, Billy Topsail,” Skipper Bill went on, ”I fear you've never read the chapter on' Wreck an' Salvage' in the 'Consolidated Statutes o'
Newfoundland' So I's you don't know
Now, listen careful! By law, b'y,” tapping the boy on the breast with a thick, tarry finger, ”if they's nobody aboard a stranded vessel--if she's abandoned, as they say in court--the men who find her can have her and all that's in her That's pretty near the law o' the land--near enough for you, anyway Contrary, by law, b'y,” with another iht to shoot down any ainst his will
That's _exactly_ the law Do you follow?”
”But I've no ood-natured a rin
”An' I hope you won't have to,” said the skipper ”But they's no harun anywhere you've a mind to So far as I know, they's no haret t' put in the shot”
Billy laughed
”Billy, boy,” said Archie, tremulously, ”it's up to you to save the firht, Archie,” said Billy
”I _know_ it's all right,” Archie declared
”They's just two things to remember,” said the skipper, fro off ”The first is to stay aboard; the second is to let nobody else come aboard if you can help it 'Tis all very siht, skipper,” said Billy
”Topsail--Ar--Grimm--_and_--Company,” were the last words Billy Topsail heard; and they ca
CHAPTER xxxII