Part 66 (1/2)

”Yes,” said Arthur uneasily, and then smiling, he added, ”I forgot all about it.”

”Forgot all about it!” said d.i.c.k. ”I should think so. Why, it wouldn't matter how bad a fellow were: a day's trawling would make him well.”

CHAPTER THIRTY.

TAFF OBJECTS TO EARLY RISING AND BEING TREATED AS A SEAL.

It wanted a perfectly calm day for the visit to the seal-cave, and this was long in coming. There were plenty of fine days when the sun shone brightly and the sea was as clear as crystal; but there was generally a pleasant breeze, and the pleasant breeze that only seemed to ripple the water was sufficient twice over to raise good-sized waves amongst the rocks, and to send a rush of broken water enough to upset a boat, foaming and das.h.i.+ng in at the mouth of the cave.

Failing the success of this enterprise, Mr Temple, who was with them, made Will and Josh row on to the rift in the cliff where the vein of white spar had been found by Will; and leaving all in the boat, d.i.c.k's father went up by himself and stayed for long enough, while his sons were rowed to and fro fis.h.i.+ng with more or less success.

One morning, though, as d.i.c.k was dreaming of being in the green-house at home when the hail was pattering down, there seemed to come three or four such sharp cracks that he awoke and jumped out of bed. The next moment he was at the window pulling up the blind and looking out, to see Will on the rugged pathway waiting for him to open the window.

”Seal-cave to-day,” he said. ”Look out to sea.”

d.i.c.k looked out to sea, where there was a dense mist that seemed to wrap everything in its folds. The luggers appeared dim--those that were near sh.o.r.e--while others were completely hidden. Overhead the sky was clear, and the sun was s.h.i.+ning brightly, while where its light fell upon the mist it became rosily transparent, and the masts of some of the luggers looked double their usual size.

”Seals, Taff, seals!” cried d.i.c.k, shaking his brother's shoulder, with the effect of making him hurriedly scramble out of bed, yawning terribly, and gazing in an ill-used way at his brother, as he sat down and began to rub his feet one over the other.

”Don't sit down, Taff; dress yourself. I'm going to call father.”

”Shut that window first,” cried Arthur; ”it's so horribly cold.”

”Cold! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! ha!” laughed d.i.c.k. ”What a chap you are, Taff!

Here, Will, he says it's cold. Go to the pump for a pail of cold water to warm him.”

”He had better not,” cried Arthur, hurriedly scuffling into his trousers. ”If he did I would never forgive him.”

”I'm not going to get any water, Master Arthur,” cried Will; ”but make haste down, it's such a glorious morning!”

”'Tisn't,” said Arthur, whose eyes were swelled up with sleepiness.

”It's all misty and thick, and the window-sill's wet, and the roses outside look drenched. Heigh, ho, ha, hum!” he yawned. ”I shall go to bed for half an hour longer--till the sun comes out.”

”No, you sha'n't,” cried d.i.c.k, seizing the pillow for a weapon of offence. ”If you do, I'll bang you out of bed again.”

”If you dare to touch me,” cried Arthur furiously, ”I shall complain to papa.”

”And he'll laugh at you,” said d.i.c.k; ”and serve you right.”

Arthur s.n.a.t.c.hed off his lower garment with the obstinacy of a half-asleep individual, and scrambled into bed again, dragging the clothes up over his chest, and scowling defiantly at his brother, as if saying, ”Touch me if you dare.”

”There's a stupid, obstinate, lazy old pig,” cried d.i.c.k, throwing the pillow at him and standing rubbing one ear. ”Here--hi, Will!” he said, going to the window, ”come round and upstairs. Here's a seal in his cave asleep. Come and let's tug him out.”

”He had better not dare to come into my bed-room,” cried Arthur, punching the pillow thrown at him viciously, and settling down in his place; not that he wanted more rest, but out of dislike to being disturbed, and from a fit of morning ill-temperedness getting the upper hand.

Just then d.i.c.k was leaning out of the window half-dressed, and with his braces hanging down as if they were straps to haul him back in case he leaned too far.

Arthur glanced at his brother for a moment and then shouted: