Part 48 (1/2)
”As I told you afore, sir, they won't die without hollering; soto eat I've had some coffee made, and it's all ready Sort o' breakfast upside down Go and eat and drink well, and then you'll feel ready for anything, sir”
”Yes I'll go forward, though, first”
Mark shtened directly as a low mur their teeth and the wo at him
He stopped by the forecastle hatch, and listened, but there was not a sound to be heard, and feeling startled, in spite of Tom Fillot's words, he cautiously approached the ventilator, and listened there
The silence was ominous, and a chill of horror came over him as he turned his eyes upon his companion, while his active brain pictured before him the botto one over the other, just as they had fallen in their last struggle for air
Tory frown ive orders for the hatch to be removed, when there was a yawn, and a sh down here”
Mark gave vent to a sigh of relief as he turned aent aft, and below into the cabin to bend over Mr Russell, who, still perfectly insensible, was sleeping, as Tohed, and the sight of his brother officer took away his appetite; but feeling the necessity of eating and drinking to keep up his strength, he sat down and began, and after the first few mouthfuls felt better, andwonderfully cheering in a good h only a boy, still the midshi+p now, and deterainst any odds of ene of the _Nautilus_, or into port
Everything on deck looked cheery and encouraging The men were in excellent spirits, and ready to salute hih the bruises visible did not i or fighting triave the word
Mark's heart swelled with elation, and he was ready to give the big black, whose absurd name of Soup had already ceased to sound nonsensical, a friendly nod, to which the great fellow responded with a regular man-o'-war's man's bow and scrape
”How's the wound, Soup?” cried Mark, touching the bandage
”All righ'!” was the reply, with a laugh, for nearly everything was all right with the freed slave now
”And how are the people?”
”All righ'!” he cried again, as Mark waved his hand towards the negroes
Then, as the young officer moved forward, the black drew the cutlass he wore, shouldered aran to march behind his leader, as if ready to use the blade when ordered
The ly
”No, no,” cried Mark, ”I don't want you yet Go back to the others”
He pointed, and the lass to have a good long look-out for help, but only closed it again with a shake of the head; for there was the far-stretching sea and the long line of coast without sign of hu, with its lower edge close to the horizon, while the sea and sky were glorified by the wonderful colours that spread far and wide
Mark walked right aft now, and hailed Dance on board the other schooner to find that there were cheery answers, and all appeared to be right there, the blacks crowding into the bows to shout and wave their hands to hilad, after all, that Bob isn't here,” thought Mark; ”he'd be as jealous as could be, and say I was as cocky as a lieutenant who had just received his pro a bit proud, but it was as ot all the hard knocks”
”Any orders about the watch, sir, orhi his hat respectfully
”N-no,” said Mark, giving a quick look round aloft and slow
”Everything seeht was best, sir”
”You say the men below have had their rations?”