Part 14 (2/2)
”No, you didn't What about 'e saved, and you said all were dead but two”
”Oh, I say, what a cracker! You are getting better, and no mistake
You asked me about how many of the black fellows the doctor saved, and I told you those two first fellows that we got on board, and the others died”
”Then Mr Russell and the lads?”
”Oh, they're all right,” cried Bob; ”leastways, not all right, but ever soway the worst”
”Then Mr Russell isn't dead?” gasped Mark
”Here, steady, my lad What's the matter?”
”Oh, tell me--tell me!” cried Mark, excitedly
”Why, of course he isn't Now, don't go on like that Here, I'll run for old Whitney”
”No, no,” whispered Mark, clinging to his ht you told me that he was dead It has worried et all sorts of fancies in your head now it's a bit weak I don't know about saying _now_ it's a bit weak,” said Bob, with a comical smile, ”because you alere a soft-headed sort of fellow That's better Now you've cooled down”
”Yes,” said Mark, with a smile, ”and I shall soon be better now”
”That's your style Allyou now; so kick old Whitney over, and leave it to me
Russell says he shall come and see you soon--”
”I wish he would,” cried Mark
”If you don't soon come and see him”
”I only wish I could,” said Mark, and he made an effort to rise, but sank back with a piteous look of misery in his face, which made Bob seize his hand
”Here, I say,” he cried cheerily ”Oh! Don't look like that You're only a bit weak, rip o' the health tack; haul in your slack, and ahoy! you'll be full sail again in a week
I say, what do you think of that? I'o, ain't I?”
Mark smiled feebly--just a wan, sickly smile, like a bit of sunshi+ne on a wintry day
”Avast there! none of your grinning,” cried Bob ”Better than you could do it, old chap That's your sort Cheer up I must be off now I'll come back and talk to you as soon as I can, and if you behave yourself I'll sing you a song”
There was a genuine smile on Mark Vandean's face now, as he heard these words delivered with utmost seriousness
”No, no, don't, Bob,” he said, feebly ”I a better, really, now Don't do that It would be more than I could stand”
Bob Howlett uttered a peculiar sound, half-angry cry, half growl, caught up his cap, and eon, while Mark lay back, staring at the open port-hole, through which caht of the tropic sunshi+ne
”Poor old Bob!” he , and of all the dreadful noises ever hed merrily at the recollection of some of his messmate's vocal efforts, and his face was lit up as if with inward sunshi+ne, till he heard a voice and looked round in wonder, to see that Captain Maitland, Mr Staples, and the doctor were at the dooratching him