Part 11 (2/2)
”Won't draw Chiet about that,” cried Bob, laying a hand upon his co his pulse with much professional correctness ”Temperature normal, sir; pulse down to one We must exhibit tonics, sir; sulph quin pulv rhei; liquor diachylon Great iue”
”Don't be a fool, Bob Tell ood chap”
”Ah! I remember now,” cried Mark, excitedly ”Tom Fillot let the poor fellow slide overboard, and Mr Russell and the men were all doith the heat, and then--Yes, I recollect noent to sleep”
”Yes, you did, old chap,” said Bob Howlett, holding his messmate's thin hand in his; ”and it seean to think you wouldn't wake again”
”But do pray tellof hunger and thirst in the boat Stop, how is Mr Russell?”
”Bad Can't rustle a bit; but he's co round”
”And Dance, and Tom Fillot, and the others?”
”Tom Fillot looks cranky, but there isn'tto save his life T'others are bluebricks and mortar
He says he shall build 'em up”
”But do pray tell me all about it, Bob,” said Mark, querulously
”I say, don't cry about it, or I won't tell you anything”
”I won't say a word, only I am so impatient to know”
”Want to know it all--fro?”
”Of course Don't tease me, Bob, now I'm so _weak_”
”Oh, won't I Got you down flat, old chap Can't bounce and bully me now Give me much of your nonsense, I'll punch your old head Now, then, where'll you have it?”
Bob struck an attitude, and began to square at his ain directly
”Well, I'll let you off this time, and take pity on you as you're such a cripple Ahein?”
Mark looked at him piteously, and Bob laid his hand upon his arht, old chap,” he said, huskily; ”I won't tease you I feel so jolly to see you open your eyes again, that it made me play the fool”
Bob choked a little, and said it was because he felt dry A possible thing, but his eyes looked wet Then he went on hastily--”Well, it was like this, old chap; as soon as we'd dropped you first cutters, we cracked on after the schooner again as hard as we could go, with Maitland and old Staples, one on each side of the deck, barking and snapping at the lads because we couldn't get h; and knowing that the Yank would try it on again, old Ramsey had to pipe hih, there was the saain, and the second cutter was dropped, with old Ram in command, and we left him, too, to pick up the black thrown overboard, while we raced on again, getting close enough to send shot after shot through the schooner's rigging; but she see Dutchman sort of a craft, for we never once hit a spar”
”But you've taken her, Bob?”
”You just lie still and hold your tongue, will you? If you can tell the story better than I can, you don't want me to speak”
”I'll be patient and not say a word,” said Mark, humbly