Part 91 (1/2)
”Yes, my lad, it looks a terrible ruin here and there,” said the captain, as Jack handed him the gla.s.s to try; ”but changes take place quickly out here, and the sun's hard at work already repairing damages.
Those heaps will soon rot away, and fresh growth cover the bare patches.
It's bad enough, but an eruption from the mountain there would have done more mischief than this.”
Over a late meal there was a discussion about their future proceedings, and the elders went into the pros and cons of their position.
”You could find us another island, captain, couldn't you?” said Sir John.
”Oh yes, sir; several that I dare say would answer your purpose, but I'm afraid that we shall have the native difficulty go where we may, for these sanguinary blacks are a restless lot, and wherever there is a beautiful spot they generally take possession of it.”
”Of course,” said the doctor gruffly. ”We should do the same.”
”We have done the same all the world round,” said Sir John, laughing.
”Of course. 'It is their nature to,'” quoted the doctor. ”For my part it seems a sin to go away when we have not secured half the grand specimens of birds to be found.”
”And my cases of insects not half filled,” said Sir John.
”But after his rough experience,” said the captain dryly, ”I cannot wonder at Mr Jack here feeling anxious to be homeward bound.”
”I?” cried Jack, turning upon the captain excitedly. ”I anxious to go back? Why, what made you think that, Captain Bradleigh?”
”Oh, I thought you must be, sir, after what you have gone through.
n.o.body could like that.”
”Of course I did not,” said the lad, flus.h.i.+ng. ”It was terrible and risky while it lasted, but I don't mind it all now, and we might stay here for months and never see the blacks again.”
”That means you would like to stay a little longer?”
”Yes, father,” cried the lad excitedly. ”It would be dreadfully disappointing to go away and not climb right to the crater now I have been so near, and know the way.”
An hour later Jack was on deck watching the stars, and listening to the deep, heavy boom of the surf on the reef, thinking of how wonderful the contrast was, and mentally going over the horrors of the past night, when he heard a familiar air being whistled forward, one he had often heard coming from the pantry at home, and he walked ahead, to find Ned leaning over the side.
”Ah, Mr Jack! here you are then. I say, I'm not going to have any more of this nonsense. Doctor's all very well, but it's a strange thing if a man don't know best how he is.”
”Why, what's the matter?”
”Doctor Instow's the matter, sir; and after all he ain't my master. If the guv'nor says I ain't to do a thing, or you, my young guv'nor, says it, why that's enough; but Doctor Instow don't pay me my wages.”
”What has he been saying to you?”
”Put his foot down, and wouldn't let me wait dinner, sir. But I mean to go on as usual to-morrow morning.”
”Oh, very well; go on, then. But what do you think of our starting for home to-morrow morning, Ned?”
”What, sir? Start for home--to-morrow morning?”
”Yes, aren't you glad?”