Part 40 (1/2)
”Perhaps he hasn't a watch,” suggested one of the sailors.
”I will wait ten minutes for him,” said Haley, taking out his watch. ”If he is not back in that time, I must go without him.”
The sailors did not reply, but looked anxiously inland, hoping to catch sight of Robert returning. But, bound as he was, we can understand why they looked in vain.
”Shall I go and look for him?” asked one.
”No,” said Haley, decidedly; ”I cannot spare you.”
The ten minutes were soon up.
”Into the boat with you,” commanded the captain. ”I shall wait no longer.”
Slowly and reluctantly, the sailors took their places, for Robert was a favorite with them.
”Now, men, give way,” said Haley. ”If the boy is lost, it is his own fault.”
They reached the vessel in due time. There was a murmur among the crew, when it was found that Robert had been left behind; but, knowing the captain's disposition, no one except Bates dared to expostulate.
”Captain Haley,” said he, approaching and touching his hat, ”will you give me leave to go on sh.o.r.e for the young gentleman that was left?”
”No,” said the captain. ”He had fair warning to be back in time, and chose to disregard it. My duty to the owners will not permit me to delay the s.h.i.+p on his account.”
”He was a relation of the owner,” suggested Bates.
”No, he was not; and, if he said so, he lied. Go about your duty, and take care I have no more fault to find with you, or you go back in irons!”
Bates ventured upon no further expostulation. He saw through the captain's subterfuge, and felt persuaded that it had been his deliberate intention from the first to abandon Robert to his fate. He began to think busily, and finally resolved to go to the island and search for him. For this purpose, a boat would be needful, since the distance, nearly a league, was too far to swim. Now, to appropriate one of the s.h.i.+p's boats when the captain was on deck would be impossible, but Haley, within five minutes, went below. Bates now proceeded to carry out his plan.
”What are you going to do?” demanded one of the sailors.
”I'm going after the boy.”
”You'll be left along with him.”
”I'll take the risk. He shan't say he didn't have one friend.”
By the connivance of his fellow-sailors, Bates got safely off with the boat, and began to pull toward sh.o.r.e. He was already a mile distant from the vessel when Captain Haley came on deck.
”Who is that in the boat?” he demanded, abruptly.
”I don't know, sir.”
He pointed the gla.s.s toward the boat, and, though he could not fairly distinguish the stout sailor who was pulling the boat through the water, he suspected that it was Bates.
”Where is Bates?” he asked.
No one had seen him.
”The fool has gone to destruction,” said Captain Haley. ”I shall not go after him. He is welcome to live on the island if he chooses.”