Part 19 (1/2)
Frank could see that there was no use protesting further. He shrugged his shoulders and the two boys made their way to their cabin.
”The big chump,” said Frank, as he slipped off his wet clothing. ”The whole British navy might be sent to the bottom while we are doing this.
What are a few wet clothes?”
”I guess it was the way we went at it,” said Jack. ”If we had blurted out what we knew----”
”To tell the truth, I've a good notion to say nothing about what I learned,” said Frank.
Jack looked at his companion in the greatest surprise.
”Oh, no, you've not,” he said at last, as he slipped on a dry s.h.i.+rt.
”Don't you believe I haven't,” declared Frank. ”I'm mad. I don't like that way of doing things. Now if it had been Lord Hastings----”
”Well, it wasn't,” said Jack. ”I'm afraid that's one trouble with us.”
”What do you mean by that?”
”Why, simply that he allowed us to get too familiar with him. The result is we expect it from others, and when they don't treat us that way we are disappointed.”
”That may be it, of course,” Frank conceded. ”But at the same time, I didn't like the tone of the third officer just now.”
”Perhaps I didn't either,” said Jack, ”but I've got more sense than to show it. As a matter of fact, I suppose we should have obeyed without question.”
Frank continued to mumble as he slipped into a dry coat. He picked up his cap and moved toward the door.
”Ready?” he asked of Jack.
”Almost. How's that shoulder?”
”All right. How's your wound?”
”Just a scratch. Didn't even bleed much.” Jack picked up his cap and also moved toward the door of the cabin. ”Guess maybe he'll let us see Captain Raleigh now,” he said. ”Come on.”
Frank followed his chum.
On deck almost the first person they encountered was the third officer.
”Didn't take you long,” he said with a smile.
”That is because we have important news,” said Frank.
”Come, then. I'll conduct you to the captain myself,” said the third officer.
Frank and Jack hurried after him.
Captain Raleigh greeted the two lads with a smile, as they stood at attention before him.
”You are back really sooner than I expected you,” he said quietly.