Part 28 (2/2)

”Well, good-bye, old chap,” said Bob ”Let England see the best side of you, and be a credit to us”

The words rang in the boy's ears long after, and he pulled hiether with a sudden consciousness that he had not been much of a credit to any one for some days He hoped Bob hadn't noticed it, for never, never could he explain to hi away so hard If only he had not been possessed by the horrible feeling that he would never coain, or at least not for years and years, it would have been different

It was impossible not to becoe, such a real house afloat, and so unusual

Peter revelled in going downstairs to bed Becky wanted to play in what she called her ”bunky-bye” instead of going to sleep Nesta eyed so how e But Eustace only wanted to talk to the officers, especially the captain, of whom he determined to ask hundreds of questions about the machinery, how he knew his way, and the exact time the boat would reach every port, just to be able to check it off, and see how far he was right in his estimates

The first day was a lovely one--a less likely one to be productive of adventures could scarcely be iined

”Calm as a duck-pond, isn't it, sir?” said one of the sea out to sea ”Yet I've seen soly reefs about”

”Are there oodish few,” said the seaman; ”but one doesn't look for them this kind of weather”

”No, of course not,” said Eustace, with a great show of certainty, for he did not want thehim

Peter had been fairly irrepressible all day He was always a fidget--s, his father said--and the excitement carried him away entirely He talked to every one indiscriminately, especially if they happened to be in unifor questions He had a dozen friends in a very few hours

Afraid lest he should weary people, Mrs Orban tried to keep hiht play with poor Becky a little, Peter She will have to go to bed very soon, and I think it has been a duller day for her than for any one else”

Which was probably true, as Becky was too tiny to have the sustained interest in things the others had

So Peter began a ga round and round and in and out between theirthe reiterated assertion, ”I'll catch you, I'll catch you,” Becky retorting with delighted chuckles, ”Oo can't, oo can't!”

Mrs Orban was just congratulating herself that Becky would be delightfully sleepy after the exercise, when the child made a sudden dive away from the chairs in her excite head over heels down the companion-ladder, dohich it had evidently been her intention to go right side up, for a joke

The yells that proceeded froe below assured every one that Becky was not killed; but when she was picked up it was discovered that one poor little wrist was terribly sprained She must have fallen with it doubled under her To put her to bed in such pain was out of the question; her mother's arms was the only place in which she could find any rest So Mrs Orban remained on deck in the cool with Miss Chase near her The children's bedtiotten; in fact, after the doctor had examined Becky and reported on her injuries, Nesta, Eustace, and Peter had disappeared--probably out of range of orders to go to bed Their ht, supposed theether, and in her anxiety over Becky never realized how late it was getting

It was quite dark All the other children had disappeared Most of the grown-ups who had begun the voyage together, and were friendly by noere in thea concert The shi+p was utterly still but for the throb of the engines and the ”swish” of the water as the bows cut through it They were running at full speed, without a pitch or a roll, the sea as clear as glass, when all of a sudden there was an awful crash, and the boat shuddered from bow to stern

In an instant the peaceful scene was changed to one of wildest confusion There were cries of terror, hurried questions, rapid orders, the crew dashi+ng hither and thither, and a strea up froht adding to the confusion immeasurably

”We've struck on a rock,” Mrs Orban heard some one say ”There isn't a minute to lose”

”Man the boats!” called a strident voice, and there was a running of ropes over pulleys, a creaking and a splashi+ng not far away

”Here you are,her by the ar back

”We're here, mother,” said Nesta's voice at her elbow

”We'll see to them, ma'am,” said the seah in his kindness; and Mrs Orban found herself swinging down into the boat below before she had tih pitch darkness into the only chance for safety, people were sent down It was i could be seen or heard The seamen above could not stop to pick and choose, but whoever they could lay hands on went