Part 10 (2/2)
”Get a broom and a couple of buckets, some of you.”
He turned sharply, and ordered Tammy on to the p.o.o.p.
As soon as he had seen the yard mast-headed, and the ropes cleared up, he followed Tammy. He knew well enough that it would not do for the youngster to let his mind dwell too much on the poor chap on the hatch, and I found out, a little later, that he gave the boy something to occupy his thoughts.
After they had gone aft, we went into the fo'cas'le. Every one was moody and frightened. For a little while, we sat about in our bunks and on the chests, and no one said a word. The watch below were all asleep, and not one of them knew what had happened.
All at once, Plummer, whose wheel it was, stepped over the starboard washboard, into the fo'cas'le.
”What's up, anyway?” he asked. ”Is Williams much 'urt?”
”s.h.!.+” I said. ”You'll wake the others. Who's taken your wheel?”
”Tammy--ther Second sent 'im. 'e said I could go forrard an' 'ave er smoke. 'e said Williams 'ad 'ad er fall.”
He broke off, and looked across the fo'cas'le.
”Where is 'e?” he inquired, in a puzzled voice.
I glanced at the others; but no one seemed inclined to start yarning about it.
”He fell from the t'gallant rigging!” I said.
”Where is 'e?” he repeated.
”Smashed up,” I said. ”He's lying on the hatch.”
”Dead?” he asked.
I nodded.
”I guessed 'twere somethin' pretty bad, when I saw the Old Man come forrard. 'ow did it 'appen?”
He looked round at the lot of us sitting there silent and smoking.
”No one knows,” I said, and glanced at Stubbins. I caught him eyeing me, doubtfully.
After a moment's silence, Plummer spoke again.
”I 'eard 'im screech, when I was at ther wheel. 'e must 'ave got 'urt up aloft.”
Stubbins struck a match and proceeded to relight his pipe.
”How d'yer mean?” he asked, speaking for the first time.
”'ow do I mean? Well, I can't say. Maybe 'e jammed 'is fingers between ther parrel an' ther mast.”
”What about 'is swearin' at ther Second Mate? Was that 'cause 'e'd jammed 'is fingers?” put in Quoin.
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