Part 39 (1/2)
Dr. Etherington soon led me into a calmer tone of mind. In the course of the day, many matters were discussed and settled. I was told that Captain Poke had been a good nurse, though in a sealing fas.h.i.+on; and that the least I could do was to send him back to Stunin'tun, free of cost. This was agreed to, and the worthy but dogmatical mariner was promised the means of fitting out a new ”Debby and Dolly.”
”These philosophers had better be presented to some academy,” observed the doctor, smiling, as he pointed to the family of amiable strangers, ”being already F. U. D. G. E.'s and H. O. A. X.'s. Mr. Reasono, in particular, is unfit for ordinary society.”
”Do with them as you please, my more than father. Let the poor animals, however, be kept from physical suffering.”
”Attention shall be paid to all their wants, both physical and moral.”
”And in a day or two, we shall proceed to the rectory?”
”The day after to-morrow, if you have strength.”
”And to-morrow?”
”Anna will see you.”
”And the next day?”
”Nay, not quite so soon, Jack; but the moment we think you perfectly restored, she shall share your fortunes for the remainder of your common probation.”
CHAPTER x.x.x. EXPLANATIONS--A LEAVE-TAKING--LOVE--CONFESSIONS, BUT NO PENITENCE.
A night of sweet repose left me refreshed, and with a pulse that denoted less agitation than on the preceding day. I awoke early, had a bath, and sent for Captain Poke to take his coffee with me, before we parted; for it had been settled, the previous evening, that he was to proceed towards Stunin'tun forthwith. My old messmate, colleague, co-adventurer, and fellow-traveller, was not slow in obeying the summons. I confess his presence was a comfort to me, for I did not like looking at objects that had been so inexplicably replaced before my eyes, unsupported by the countenance of one who had gone through so many grave scenes in my company.
”This has been a very extraordinary voyage of ours, Captain Poke,” I remarked, after the worthy sealer had swallowed sixteen eggs, an omelet, seven cotelettes, and divers accessories. ”Do you think of publis.h.i.+ng your private journal?”
”Why, in my opinion, Sir John, the less that either of us says of the v'y'ge the better.”
”And why so? We have had the discoveries of Columbus, Cook, Vancouver, and Hudson--why not those of Captain Poke?”
”To own the truth, we sealers do not like to speak of our cruising grounds--and, as for these monikins, after all, what are they good for?
A thousand of them wouldn't make a quart of 'ile, and by all accounts their fur is worth next to nothin'.”
”Do you account their philosophy for nothing? and their jurisprudence?--you, who were so near losing your head, and who did actually lose your tail, by the axe of the executioner?”
Noah placed a hand behind him, fumbling about the seat of reason, with evident uneasiness. Satisfied that no harm had been done, he very coolly placed half a m.u.f.fin in what he called his ”provision hatchway.”
”You will give me this pretty model of our good old 'Walrus,' captain?”
”Take it, o' Heaven's sake, Sir John, and good luck to you with it. You, who give me a full-grown schooner, will be but poorly paid with a toy.”
”It's as like the dear old craft as one pea is like another!”
”I dare say it may be. I never knew a model that hadn't suthin' of the original in it.”
”Well, my good s.h.i.+pmate, we must part. You know I am to go and see the lady who is soon to be my wife, and the diligence will be ready to take you to Havre, before I return.”
”G.o.d bless you! Sir John--G.o.d bless you!” Noah blew his nose till it rung like a French horn. I thought his little coals of eyes were glittering, too, more than common, most probably with moisture. ”You're a droll navigator, and make no more of the ice than a colt makes of a rail. But though the man at the wheel is not always awake the heart seldom sleeps.”