Part 25 (1/2)

”But there was no help for it.”

Book 2--CHAPTER SIX.

THE SURGEON'S YARN CONTINUED--THE PLEASANT HOME OF A ROBBER CHIEF--FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH.

”The poet Daniel calls sleep 'son of the sable night,' and brother to Death.

”'Care charmer sleep, son of the sable night, Brother to Death, in silent darkness born.'

”I might add that sleep is also the brother to sorrow and care, and a kind and gentle brother he is.

”No sooner had Captain Brackenbury and his supercargo, O'Brady, been shown to their apartment on that memorable night, and left in the dark, than--

”'Well, Brackenbury,' said O'Brady, 'here's a nice wind-up to a windy day. But I vote we make the best of a bad job. I'm dog-tired and as sleepy as an old owl. I'm going to turn in, even if I have to turn out in the morning to get my head taken off.'

”'So shall I,' replied Brackenbury. 'But what an uncivil brute of a black servant that is! Why, he might as well have left the light!'

”'No doubt he's acting according to orders, my friend,' said O'Brady.

'And duty is duty, of course, on board a s.h.i.+p or out of it.'

”'Oh yes,' Brackenbury acquiesced, 'duty is duty, as you say. But can you find the head of your bed?'

”'Yes, mine is towards the fireplace, and yours is towards the door.'

”'Good-night,' said Brackenbury.

”'Umph!' grunted O'Brady, for he was all but asleep already.

”'Hark!' cried Brackenbury, a few minutes after. 'Are you asleep, O'Brady?'

”'No, I'm listening. Hus.h.!.+'

”Had anyone come into the apartment with a light just then, they would have seen both men sitting bolt upright in bed, with not only their eyes, but even their mouths open.

”'I heard footsteps in the pa.s.sage,' hissed Brackenbury; 'they surely can't be going to hang us to-night!'

”His voice was somewhat shaky.

”'Hang us! no! Nonsense, Brackenbury! Dolosa knows much better than to hang us. You're not afraid, are you?'

”'Hark!' was the reply; 'but now I heard a whisper. It seems in the room. Sure you locked the door? You see, O'Brady, that with a sword in my hand, in daylight, and with my foot on my own quarter-deck, I'm fit for anything. But I'm not a rat, jigger me if I am. I believe Dolosa would do anything. Now those monster n.i.g.g.e.rs of his, what would hinder half a dozen of them from smothering us, time about, with a feather-bed?

Ugh! fancy a feather-bed on top of you, and half a dozen hulking black murderers on top o' that. Ugh, I say!'

”The sound of whispering and of footsteps had ceased, but both officers still sat up, straining their ears.

”O'Brady laughed low. 'Bedad, Brackenbury, it wouldn't take half a dozen hulking n.i.g.g.e.rs to cook your goose. I guess two would do it, bedad, I do; _Honolulu_!' The last word was almost shrieked.

”'Goodness be near us!' cried Brackenbury, now fairly chattering with fear. 'What _is_ the matter, my friend?'

”'My hand,' replied O'Brady, 'was lying over the edge of the bed, and a cold nose touched it. Egad! Brackenbury, it did give me the s.h.i.+vers!'