Part 43 (2/2)

”'No tellin',' says he.

”'Oh, sure!' says they; 'you'll do it.'

”'Anyhow,' says he, 'now that you've fetched me t' _land_,' says he, 'I got t' hang on till the _Quick as Wink_ comes in.'

”'What for?' says they.

”'Nothin' much,' says he; 'but I jus' got to.'

”'You go t' bed,' says they, 'an' we'll stow them swile in the stage.'

”'I'll lie down an' warm up,' says he, 'an' rest for a spell. Jus' a little spurt,' says he, 'jus' a little spurt-o' rest.'

”'You've made a wonderful haul,' says they.

”'At last!' says he.

”'Rest easy,' says they, 'as t' that.'

”'Twas the women that put un t' bed.

”'Seems t' me,' says he, 'that the frost has bit my heart.'

”So ol' Bill Hulk was flat on his back when I made Gingerbread Cove with supplies in the first o' that season-anch.o.r.ed there in bed, sir, at last, with no mortal hope o' makin' the open sea again. Lord! how white an' withered an' cold he was! From what a far-off place in age an' pain an' weariness he looked back at me!

”'I been waitin', Tumm,' says he. 'Does you hear?'

”I bent close t' hear.

”'I'm in a hurry,' says he. 'Isn't got no chance t' pa.s.s the time o'

day. Does you hear?'

”'Ay,' says I.

”'I got hopes,' says he. 'Tom Neverbudge haves come down t' twenty-two seventy-five. You'll find a old sock in the corner locker, Tumm,' says he, 'with my fortune in the toe. Pa.s.s un here. An' hurry, Tumm, hurry, for I isn't got much of a grip left! Now, Tumm,' says he, 'measure the swile oil in the stage an' balance me up for the las' time.'

”'How much you got in that sock?' says I.

”'Nothin' much,' says he. 'Jus' a little left over.'

”'But _how_ much?'

”'I'm not wantin' t' tell,' says he, 'lest you cheat me with kindness.

I'd have you treat me as a man, come what will.'

”'So help me G.o.d! then, Bill Hulk,' says I, 'I'll strike that balance fair.'

”'Tumm!' he called.

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