Part 66 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
It was the next day, when the yacht was just beginning to glide over the water again to pa.s.s through the opening in the reef, that Jack was sitting by Ned's berth.
”Here, I call it foolishness, Mr Jack, sir, I do really. What is the good of my lying here?”
”To get strong and well. Doctor Instow knows best.”
”Well, he thinks he knows best, sir; but he can't know so well as I do how I feel.”
”You lie still and be patient.”
”But I can't, sir. Here's Mr Bob Murray, who's a good enough steward, valeting you and Sir John, and of course he can't do it properly.”
”Nonsense. He is very good and attentive.”
”Pooh, sir! So could any chap in the s.h.i.+p be good and attentive, but what's the use of that if he don't understand his work?”
”Why, there's nothing to understand.”
”Oho! Isn't there, sir! Don't you run away with that idea. There's a lot. It seems nothing to you because things go so easy with you and the guv'nor. You find your clean s.h.i.+rts and fresh socks all ready laid out at the proper time, and you put 'em on just as you do your clothes, and think it's nothing; but all the time there's some one been there thinking it out first. Cold and dull morning; these trousers and that silk s.h.i.+rt won't do, and warmer ones are there. Going to be a scorching hot day, and it's the thinnest things in the bunks. Then don't I manage the b.u.t.tons the same? and when did you ever find a b.u.t.ton off anywhere?”
”No, I never did, Ned.”
”There! I suppose you think, sir, that when a b.u.t.ton's knocked off another one comes up like a mushroom in the night; but you take my word for it, sir, b.u.t.tons don't come up so how, and it's never having no troubles like that to a gentleman that means having a good valet. I don't say nothing about holes in socks or stockings, because when it gets to that a gentleman ought to give 'em away. No, sir, it won't do.
Every man to his trade, and I'm fretting to get back to my work, for it wherrits me to have other people meddling with my jobs. I don't believe I shall find a thing in its place.”
”Never mind all that, Ned. I've got something to tell you.”
”Have you, sir? Let's have it.”
”I don't know what you'll say to it.”
”More do I, sir. Let's hear what it is.”
Ned told him of what had pa.s.sed on deck concerning the stay at the island.
”Glad of it, Mr Jack,” said Ned excitedly. ”I should have been wild if you'd give it up because of me getting that arrow in my arm. But look here, I ain't a grudger, but if I do get a chance at the chap as shot at me--well, I'm sorry for him, that's all.”
”What would you do to him, Ned?” said Jack, smiling.
”What would I do to him, sir? What wouldn't I do to him, sir!”
”You don't mean to say you'd kill him?”
”Kill him, sir?” cried Ned, in a tone full of disgust; ”now do I look the sort of chap to go killing any one?”
”Well, no, Ned, you do not.”