Part 7 (1/2)

It e that I should have recollected this conversation

In truth, I did not, and it was not till many years afterwards that I was told of it Indeed, I may confess once for all, that had I not possessed the advantage of co with some of the principal actors, I should have been unable to describe many of the events which occurred at that period of my existence I remeers, and the snappish cruel way she spoke to sweet Miss Kitty and Edward Falconer She appeared, indeed, to detest hi her dislike by all sorts of petty annoyances He bore them all onderful equanimity, perhaps for Kitty's sake, perhaps because he despised their author So in the cabin, he would burst into a fit of laughter, as if enjoying a good joke, and would continue to smile when Kitty appeared with a look of vexation and pain on her countenance, supposing he must have been annoyed beyond endurance

We had just doubled the Cape, when another sail was seen crossing our course, now rising up against the clear sky, now sinking so low that only her upper canvas was visible We approached each other, when the stranger nal that she would send a boat aboard us We also hove-to, and began gracefully bowing away at each other, as if the shi+ps were exchanging co stepped on board when the boat caside, and offered to remain, if the captain would receive hi he was an experienced hand, and had been in the Pacific several years, the captain at once accepted his services We gave the land and several newspapers, and he, in return, offered to take any letters our people ht have ready to send home In a short time we each filled, and stood on our respective courses

Froer to have a talk with the new-coone out many years before in a South Sea whaler, and when on her hoed into the shi+p he had just left, then outward-bound Both shi+ps had been very successful in fishi+ng and reat deal of ot, he wished tothe coast, and knew every port A other pieces of information, he told the captain that two South Sea whalers, captured by the Spaniards, lay in the Bay of Conception, and advised that they should be cut out, declaring that it uarded by forts I don't think Captain Podgers was fond of fighting, but he was ofhold of these two shi+ps, he shoulda score of whales

After this, both fore and aft, the only talk was about the proposed undertaking Miss Kitty looked very grave, but though she knew the captain would take very good care to reuessed that Edward Falconer would be sent on the expedition; and, though hewith regard to the place being unfortified Captain Podgers had got angry, and declared that the man, an experienced old sailor, who had just co fellow, as he was, could do Mrs Podgers, with a sneer, also re, lest he et a cut across his face, and spoil his beauty, or the sunpoould make him faint

I am sure that the third mate was as brave as steel, and did not think a bit about his good looks; but the sting, somehow or other, struck deeper thanAmerican colours, we stood in towards an island off the Bay of Conception Here heaving to, as night closed in, four of the boats were e of the three mates and the boatswain Jonas Webb and dick went in Mr Falconer's boat

Those who re, as the night was light, to see the out their prizes

Some hours passed by, when the rattle of uns came over the calm waters

”Why, that fellow Webbabout the deck in a state of agitation ”Falconer was right

There will be lory, as he will call it, than profit in the expedition Bah! I cannot afford to loseout for the expected shi+ps They did not appear, but at last first one boat and then another was seen eentlemen, what has become of the whalers?” exclaimed the captain, as the two first mates stepped on deck

”The Spaniards peppered us too hotly to enable us to tow them out, sir, and the wind afforded no help,” was the answer ”I aot into a mess--he had taken one of the whalers, but would not leave his prize, though I suspect several of his men were killed or wounded”

”Was Mr Falconer hiers, who had come up to hear the news

”I cannot say, ma'am,” answered the first mate ”His boat must have been terribly mauled, and I am afraid that she must have been sunk, or that her crew must have been taken prisoners I cannot otherwise account for his not following us”

I had hold of Miss Kitty's hand I felt it tre for breath

”You should have gone back and looked for theh to know that the third mate was one of the best officers in the shi+p

”Oh! do, do so!” exclai ”It was cowardly and cruel to leave therowled the captain, who, if not brave hiht well--as has been the case with other leaders in higher positions

Theto their boats when the shout was raised that the fourth boat was appearing She caainst the bulwarks for support

”Send down slings; we have sonised as dick's

”Let the others go first,” said another voice ”They are way and looked over Three men were hoisted on board; one especially was terribly injured--it was Jonas Webb The last who appeared was Mr Falconer

”I ah I am faint from loss of blood,” he said, in a feeble voice He spoke so that Kitty ot the prize withthe deck, not caring what Mrs Podgers or anybody else ht say to her The exertion, however, was too much for him; and if dick and another man had not held hiht frame could scarcely have supported him He was taken to his cabin, and after the doctor had attended to the other men he allowed him to examine his wound

I have not before mentioned our doctor Thebread pills, and they, poor fellows, had betteran opinion of his skill than I had After his visit, Mr Falconer would not let hiet out the bullet It was dressed, however, and Kitty used to say that I was the doctor I know that I went every day into the cabin with her and dick, and that we used to put lotions and plaster on his poor shoulder Mrs Podgers declared that it was very indelicate in her to do so, but Kitty replied that if women were on board shi+p, it was their duty to attend to the wounded