Part 6 (2/2)
”Why, we can make one on board in less than half that time. Lazy rascals, we will have nothing to do with them,” exclaimed the lieutenant, his confidence in the mids.h.i.+pman as a linguist unshaken.
On the present occasion Norris's services were, however, accepted, and all in the berth who could get leave agreed to go. Some of the _Tudor's_ mids.h.i.+pmen who were on board the frigate offered to bring on the things if they were not ready.
”No! no! thank ye,” answered Higson, c.o.c.king his eye, ”I've a notion that clean linen would be plentiful aboard the corvette, and by the time it reached us it would be ready again for the laundress.”
He, however, accepted their offer to accompany the expedition. As the wind was light and off sh.o.r.e they got leave to take the jolly-boat, being able easily to land in her. Under the guidance of Higson they made their way up the hill to Senhora Lobo's abode. A stream ran near it, on the banks of which half-a-dozen women were kneeling battering away, fine as well as coa.r.s.e articles of clothing on some rough granite slabs, occasionally rubbing them as a change, with might and main on the hard stones, singing at the same time as they rubbed, or stopping occasionally to laugh and chatter. Among them was discovered Senhora Lobo or Mother Lobo, as Higson designated her, battering away harder than anybody at one of his s.h.i.+rts, as an example to her handmaidens.
She rose from her knees, twisting tightly the dripping garment, not to lose time, as she recognised the young gentlemen, when Norris for a wonder made her comprehend more by signs than words, that as the s.h.i.+p was about to sail they must have their clothes immediately.
”Amanaa? to-morrow?” asked Senhora Lobo.
”No, no, 'esta noite,' to-night,” answered Norris vehemently.
The washerwoman consulted with her attendants. Piles of wet linen lay on the ground, but a quant.i.ty had not yet seen the water. After a considerable amount of jabbering and talking, it was agreed that the task could be accomplished. The sun was hot, and the gentlemen must not be very particular about the ironing. While one half of the damsels set to work again in the stream, the rest, headed by the mistress, began to hang up the washed articles, a young girl being despatched apparently for further a.s.sistance. This looked like being in earnest, and the dame a.s.sured Norris that the things should be ready by ten o'clock. How to spend the intermediate time was the question, and a ramble into the country was agreed on. Had they been wise they would have secured some mules or donkeys to convey the clothes to the beach. They had, however, undertaken to carry the bags themselves, and were resolved heroically to persevere. They set off on their ramble, Tom and Gerald, and the other youngsters, skylarking as usual. They expected to fall in with some venda, or wine-shop, where they could obtain the refreshment they should require before returning, and d.i.c.k Needham was sent back with an order for the boat to come for them at the appointed hour. After rambling to a considerable distance, they began to feel hungry, but in vain they searched for a venda. Fortunately at this juncture they fell in with an Englishman on horseback, to whom they made their wants known.
”Come along with me,” he answered; ”I will show you a place where you can get some food.”
Turning to the right, he led them through a gateway, along a walk bordered by orange-trees, myrtles, geraniums, ever-blossoming rose-trees, and numberless other plants and flowers, up to a bungalow-style of building, from the verandah of which a fine view could be enjoyed over the bay, with the town in the distance, and the hills on either side.
”This looks like a regular first-cla.s.s boarding-house; we shall have to pay handsomely,” whispered Tom to Gerald; ”but never mind, we shall enjoy ourselves, and I am terribly sharp-set!”
”Make yourselves at home, gentlemen,” said their guide; ”supper will soon be on the table.”
”Let's have it as soon as possible, that's all, and pray tell the landlord that we shall be perfectly content if we can have a few cold fowls and a ham, or eggs and bacon, and bread and cheese, and some bottles of country wine--we are in no ways particular!” exclaimed Higson, throwing himself on a garden-seat and producing his cigar-case.
”Will any of you fellows have a smoke?”
When the case was opened but one cigar remained. Their guide observed it.
”Never mind, I dare say I can find some in the house,” he said, and soon returned with a box full. He offered it round.
”What do they cost?” asked Gerald, who indulged in a smoke sometimes, when out of Adair's sight, though his slender purse forbade cigars.
”Never mind,” was the answer; ”it shall be put down in the bill.”
The mids.h.i.+pman took a cigar, when a black servant appearing with a dish of charcoal embers, it was lighted and p.r.o.nounced excellent. Shortly afterwards several ladies came out of the house and entered into conversation with the young officers, who took them to be guests staying at the inn. The time sped pleasantly by till supper was announced. The ladies accompanied them in, the oldest taking one end of the table, while their guide sat at the other.
”He's mine host after all!” whispered Tom to Gerald. ”He knows, however, how to look after his guests properly.”
There might not have been quite as many cold chickens on the table as Higson would have desired, but ample amends was made by the variety of other good things and the abundance of fruit, cakes, and wine.
”Capital Madeira, this of yours, landlord! Haven't tasted better anywhere in the island!” exclaimed Higson, smacking his lips. ”I'll trouble you to pa.s.s the bottle.”
”I am glad you approve of it, sir,” said mine host, doing as he was requested. ”There are several other qualities, but I always put the best before my guests.”
Altogether the young gentlemen enjoyed themselves particularly, and talked and laughed away with unrestrained freedom to the ladies, who seemed highly amused by them, and insisted on filling the pockets of the younger mids.h.i.+pmen with cakes and fruit to take to their messmates on board.
”It's myself could manage better with a handkerchief!” exclaimed Paddy Desmond, producing a good big one.
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