Part 37 (2/2)
Skipper Bill at that hted candle He snatched it from its place, dropped it on the floor and stamped on it
He was a-tremble frorily
Billy explained
”It was plucky, b'y,” said the skipper, ”but 'tonderful risky”
”Sure, there was no call to be afraid”
”No call to be afraid!” cried the skipper
”No, sir--no,” said Billy ”There's not a grain of powder in the keg”
”E?” the skipper roared
”Do you think,” said Billy, indignantly, ”that I'd have risked the schooner that way if 'twas a full keg?”
Skipper Bill stared; and for a long ti
CHAPTER xxxIV
_In Which Skipper Bill, as a Desperate Expedient, Conte, to Save His Honour, Sets Sail in a Basket, But Seems to Have Come a Cropper_
Billy Topsail suddenly demanded:
”Where's the _Grand Lake_?”
”The _Grand Lake_,” Skipper Bill drawled, with a sigh, ”is somewheres t' the s'uth'ard footin' it for St John's”
”You missed her!” Billy accused
”Didn't neither,” said the indignant skipper ”She steaht past Hook-an'-Line without a wink in that direction”
This was shocking news
”Anyhow,” said little Donald North, as though it mattered importantly, ”we seed her smoke”
Billy looked fro to the skipper; and then he stared about
”Where's Archie?” he asked
”Archie,” the skipper replied, ”is footin' it for St John's, too
'Skipper Bill,' says Archie, 'Billy Topsail has kep' that schooner safe I knows he has It was up t' Billy Topsail t' save the firm from wreckers an' I'll lay you that Billy Topsail has saved the firo back t' Jolly Harbour an' get that schooner off You get her off somehow Get her off jus' as soon as you can,' says he, 'an' fetch her to St John's'